Ford said the team was confident heading into the game, despite having its only loss of the season come in a 23-point blowout to Holy Name in December.

"In the beginning of the year we were a totally different team. We hadn't really found our identity," Ford said. "We were the underdogs going into the game, so that makes it even better."

Ford was quick to give credit to his teammates, particurarly long-shooting guards Anthony Johnson (17 points) and Passley (16 points).

Passley did not hit a shot in the first half, but came on strong from behind the arc down the stretch.

"He stuck in there," Ford said. "[He has a] real big heart for him to come out there and make real big shots at the end of the game."

Even when Holy Name seemed to be pulling away, Ford said, he had a lot of confidence in his team.

"Just come out and play Cambridge basketball," he said he told them. "[We had] a lot of heart. That's what Cambridge pride is all about."

With the victory, CRLS won its first state title since 1990 and its