VIRGINIA BEACH - The varsity basketball team fell to Bishop Sullivan Catholic 73-66 Tuesday in the first round of the state VISAA tournament.

The Saints ended their season 20-10. It's the third year in a row StC has compiled 20 or more wins, the only teams in the school's history to win that many games.

The Saints trailed by double digits most of the contest as they struggled near the rim offensively and defensively, until the fourth period when they chipped away gradually at the Crusaders lead. 

Alexander Petrie '17 (21 points), Joe Bamisile '20 (career-high 20 points) and Ameer Bennett '17 (13 points, 15 rebounds) led the way as the Saints got as close as five points but could not get over the hump.

Petrie ends his StC career with 2,017 points, second all-time and only the second player to reach the mark. The team won the Rebel Invitational for the fourth consecutive year and took the Tri-City Tournament during Christmas break.

The Saints lose five important seniors, including Eric Thompson, Jack Essex and Richie Herrera, who each did a ton for the program. Returning players like Bamisile, Donovan Murphy '18, Jack Pendlebury '18, Jimmy Starnes '19, Will Bird '18 and captain Justin Jasper '18 - who each started a game at some point - shows the cupboard is not bare.

Hopes are high for PG Arnold Henderson '19, and sharpshooter Will Roberts '18 should earn some time next season along with JV call-up Cole Minetree '19.