WESTON -- It was billed as No. 1 against No. 2, a pair of heavyweights battling for a piece of hardware and a place in history. But, it wound up as anything but that.
Instead, it turned out to be a showcase for Bunnell, and Notre Dame-Fairfied hated every minute of it.
Top-seeded Bunnell claimed its third straight SWC boys basketball title Friday, overwhelming the second-seeded Lancers, 75-58, from the opening tip at Weston High.
"We got a lot of layups early on," Bulldogs coach Pat Yerina said, "and we finished. That was the key, and we didn't give them second shots.
"One shot, done and go."
Bunnell (19-4) scored 13 straight points to go up 15-2 in the first quarter, and it got worse from there for ND-Fairfield. The Lancers, who shot an ugly 2-for-16 in the first quarter, trailed from start to finish.
"When you shoot the way we shot to start the game," Lancers coach Vin Laczkoski said, "and then you start hanging your heads, you don't deserve to be in the game.
"They beat our (butt), and I really don't know what else to tell you. Give Bunnell credit, they jumped on us early. I don't think we made a jump shot the whole first quarter."
Bolstered by point guard and tournament MVP Ryan Pittman, who finished with a team-high 22 points, the Bulldogs sliced through the paint for a flurry of easy buckets. They closed the second quarter with a 20-6 run and led comfortably at halftime, 41-20.
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Bunnell's Ryan Pittman (1) splits Notre Dame-Fairfield's Jake Heaton (11) and Justin Federici (32) on his way to the basket for 2 points during the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.
H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less2of101Bunnell's Ryan Pittman (1) gets a hug from a team mate as he leaves the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn. Bunnell beat Notre Dame-Fairfield 75-58.2H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
3of1014of101Members of the Bunnell High School boys basketball team celebrates after beating Notre Dame-Fairfield 75-58 to win the SWC boys basketball championship game on Friday night, March 6, 2015. The game was played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less5of101Bunnell's Patrick Gough (33) tries to block a shot by Notre Dame-Fairfield's Jake Heaton (11) during the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
6of1017of101Notre Dame-Fairfield's Jake Heaton (11) tries to drive by Bunnell's Zhyaire Fernandes (25) during the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less8of101Bunnell's Nicholas Giannoni (22) and Notre Dame-Fairfield's Colin Burke (22) fight for a rebound during the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
9of10110of101Bunnell's Nicholas Giannoni (22) drives to the hoop past Notre Dame-Fairfield's Colin Burke (22) during the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less11of101Bunnell's Dante Peeler (24) goes to the basket past Notre Dame-Fairfield's Jake Heaton (11) during the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
12of10113of101Bunnell's Ryan Pittman (1) brings the ball upcourt while being guarded by Notre Dame-Fairfield's Jack Heaton (11) during the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less14of101Notre Dame-Fairfield head coach Vin Laczkoski talks with his players during a time out in the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
15of10116of101Bunnell head coach Pat Yerina during the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less17of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
18of10119of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less20of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
21of10122of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less23of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
24of10125of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less26of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
27of10128of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less29of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
30of10131of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less32of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
33of10134of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less35of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
36of10137of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less38of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
39of10140of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less41of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
42of10143of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less44of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
45of10146of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less47of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
48of10149of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less50of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
51of10152of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less53of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
54of10155of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less56of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
57of10158of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less59of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
60of10161of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less62of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
63of10164of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less65of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
66of10167of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less68of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
69of10170of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less71of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
72of10173of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less74of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
75of10176of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less77of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
78of10179of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less80of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
81of10182of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less83of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
84of10185of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less86of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
87of10188of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less89of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
90of10191of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less92of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
93of10194of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less95of101Photographs from the SWC boys basketball championship game between Norte Dame-Fairfield and Bunnell high schools, on Friday night, March 6, 2015. Played at Weston High School, Weston, Conn.H John Voorhees IIIShow MoreShow Less
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"Ryan played probably one of the best games of this year," Yerina said. "He's played some great games, and ... he just played phenomenal tonight. All our other guys stepped in."
It all added up to a markedly different result than the last time the two teams met on Feb. 16. The Lancers won that 67-56, and they're one of only two SWC teams -- Kolbe Cathedral is the other -- to beat the Bulldogs in league play over the last three seasons.
"The difference was, we didn't knock down shots in the first game," Pittman said. "This game we got off to a quick start. We got back on defense this time."
The Bulldogs didn't let up, either, leaving ND-Fairfield without an answer.
"They went after us," Laczkoski said. "When you start missing shots and hanging your head, you don't deserve to play.
"Was that my team out there?"
Guard Jake Heaton led the Lancers (17-6) with 25 points, and Jordan Pettway scored 16. The Lancers played the entire second half without forward Jesse McIntosh, who needed to be helped off the court after injuring his knee in the second quarter.
ND-Fairfield hopes to bounce back as the No. 6 seed in the Class M tournament, which tips off Monday. The Lancers will play host to No. 27 Windham Tech.
Forward Donte Peeler finished with 14 points for Bunnell, and Aaron Samuel scored 11.
"Give Bunnell all the credit in the world. ... They played their butts off tonight," Laczkoski said.
dbonjour@ctpost.com; twitter.com/DougBonjour
NOTRE DAME-FAIRFIELD (17-6)
Jordan Pettway 6 3-4 16 CJ Davidson 2 0-0 5 Jesse McIntosh 1 0-0 2 Colin Burke 1 0-0 2 Jake Heaton 8 8-14 25 Ryan Keeley 0 2-2 2 Clay Westerman 0 0-0 0 Woodley Monnexant 0 0-0 0 Justin Pederici 1 0-0 2 Jordan Genias 1 0-0 2 Nori Davis 0 0-0 0 Andrew Allen 0 0-0 0 Tom Coleman 0 0-0 0 Kyle Federici 0 0-0 0 Damion Medwinter 1 0-0 2. Totals 21 13-20 58
