View the photo gallery.

CHESHIRE - Sheehan's talented starting five has created fits for most teams all season and the Titans overwhelmed the Cheshire in the second half on Monday night in a SCC Housatonic victory.

Cheshire boys basketball coach Dan Lee played a box-and-one against Sheehan standout Phil Gaetano and the point guard still poured in 17 points and dished out six assists against one turnover in the Titans' 58-44 win.

"When we put that type of pressure on (Gaetano) and he's one of their leading scorers, it tough," Lee said. "You've got to give him credit. He poses problems not only for us, but for other people in the SCC. (Brett) Biestek and (John) Songer compliment him pretty well. When Biestek sets a ball screen, it's tough to cover and Gaetano does a great job reading how you are trying to play him."

The box-and-one opened up the court for Sheehan forward Christian Collette who did plenty of damage in the paint, matching Gaetano's 17 points and adding four rebounds and four blocks.

"It was a good team win," Collette said. "We came close to playing a full 32 minutes tonight. I'm just fortunate enough to have Phil, Nick (Parillo), John and Brett find me around the basket or on a wing. It's good to play with a team that is as good a passing team as we are."

Collette was particularly effective in the second half. With the Titans leading 29-22, the forward sparked Sheehan's 8-0 run to open the third period with three consecutive buckets - two jumpers and a tip in. Gaetano assisted on Collette's two outside shots and made the final shot off the run on a breakaway layup to open up a 37-22 lead.

Cheshire got within six points with 7:40 remaining in the third quarter on a Nate Howard drop step and layup. The 6-foot-8 sophomore provided a spark of the bench with 10 points and eight rebounds. But Sheehan answered with a 6-0 uprising of their own that put the Titans up 45-33.

"I was pleased with the way we worked the ball inside, especially in the second half," Sheehan coach Joe Gaetano said. "We wanted to take advantage of the box-and-one."

Songer (five rebounds) and Biestek were also tough in the frontcourt for Sheehan. Biestek only had four points, but nabbed seven rebounds and handed out six assists.

"Brett just does so many things you don't see unless you watch him," Joe Gaetano said. "We could dump it inside every time. But we need him outside because we need him to pass the ball. He gives us the most dominant big man in the SCC. He also gives us great passing from that position."

Cheshire senior Brian Havlicek tried to keep the Rams close with 12 points. Brian DeBisschop added nine for the Rams (4-10 overall, 2-4 Housy).

"Havlicek is a three-sport athlete and basketball isn't his main sport," Lee said. "He's going to play football at Union College and is a standout lacrosse player. He's the type of kid that goes above and beyond for the team. We have a lot of respect for him as a coaching staff."

Joe Gaetano said this was a big win for the Titans (10-4 overall, 6-0 Housy).

"This gives us a two-game lead in the Housy with two games to play," Gaetano said. "Every game now is getting ready for the postseason. Our schedule gets harder. We have Xavier, Lyman Hall, Hillhouse, Amity, Notre Dame-West Haven and Guilford, so it's not an easy schedule. I want us ready."