Park head coach Mike Weah knew Cretin-Derham Hall would roll into Park looking for revenge Thursday.

The Raiders did so, and they got it.

Cretin rallied from early first-half deficits to first tie and then overtake the host Wolfpack in a fierce 55-51 decision.

Tre Holloman made fourof- four free throws in the final minute to win it for the Raiders. Holloman hurt the repeatedly, scoring 22 points despite a heroic defensive effort from Park’s Brady Perryman.

Park had two chances to cut into Cretin’s lead in the final minute but couldn’t connect.

“That’s a good team that we faced right there,” said Weah. “I think that’s the first time we’ve been in that kind of actual position this year where it’s coming down to the wire, “So, I told them (the team) to just keep their heads up. First time we’ve been in that position with a team like that,” Weah added. “It comes down to who makes plays. It came down to who was going to make the bigger play at the end and sometimes the shots don’t fall. I think that they had a couple shots they made where it’s just like whoa, that’s a tough shot. And a couple shots that we took, we would usually make those.”

The loss dropped the Wolfpack into a tie for second in the Suburban East Conference, both teams at 7-4. Park is 11-6 on the season, Cretin 10-7.

Park knocked off the Raiders 55-46 at Cretin earlier in the season and obviously that set up Thursday’s game as a grudge match.

Park started well behind the sharp shooting of forward Evan Bearth who had 9 of Park’s first 13 points and 12 of the team’s 28 points at the half.

But Cretin rallied from deficits of 13-7 and 19-14 to take a 29-28 lead at the break. The Wolfpack took a 43-36 lead with 9:20 to play only to watch as the Raiders stormed back. Park scored just eight points in the game’s final nine minutes as Cretin’s defense consistently dictated the game and denied good shots. Park closed to within a point at 51-50 with 2L54 to play but could come no closer.

Pharrel Payne and Bearth each scored 14 points to pace Park offensively.

“There’s nothing to get rattled about on this,” Weah said. “I still think that we got better tonight and we’re going to learn from that.”

Next up for the Wolfpack is a non-conference tilt at Holy Family Wednesday. Park then returns to conference play with a game at Mounds View Friday.

Park’s Pharrel Payne goes in for two of his 14 points against a Cretin-Derham Hall defender.Photo by John Molene