Published on: Thursday, February 21, 2013

By Brandy L. Simms

POTOMAC – As the Bullis boys basketball team cut down the nets Saturday night following their 63-61 home win over St. Albans in the Interstate Athletic Conference championship game, the song “We Are The Champions” blared throughout the gymnasium.

It was a fitting end to a historic season at the Potomac private school.

Bullis (23-4, 12-0) captured the IAC tournament title for the second straight year and finished the season on an 18-game winning streak.

The Bulldogs also became the first team in school history to finish unbeaten in league play and capture the tournament title in the same season.

Bullis senior guard Anthony Thompson scored a game-high 17 points to lead three Bulldogs in double figures. Russell Sangster, a junior, added 13 points and senior Winton Lyle finished with 10 points.

“To go undefeated was the biggest thing,” said Thompson, a Holy Cross signee. “To go 12-0 and make history was good.”

Meanwhile, St. Albans senior guard Lloyd Howell finished with a team-high 16 points and sophomore guard Brandon Galloway scored 15 points.  Michael Sniezek, a senior guard, added 13 points for the D.C. private school and junior guard Matt Sniezek scored nine points.

Bullis held a 14-point lead with 3:53 remaining in the fourth period but St. Albans outscored the Bulldogs down the stretch, 20-8.

“St. Albans is always going to bring it,” said Bullis head coach Bruce Kelley. “That’s who they are. They’re tough kids.”

Despite the graduation of Thompson and Lyle, the Bulldogs once again have high expectations for next season with the return of Sangster and 6-foot-10 junior Andre Walker, a Division I prospect.

“We’ll be different and [Andre is] going to be a big part of that next year,” said Kelley, “because you’ll see how much better he’s going to be.”