35 years later, 16-year-old prodigy relives Michael Jordan’s heartbreak in Cleveland

The young athletes on the St. Peter’s Prep basketball team may not know how many adults felt watching Michael Jordan play in the 1989 NBA playoffs. But on Thursday, they got damn close.The team’s 16-year-old star Richie Rosa unknowingly revealed his magnanimity with the contest winner. Specifically, I reminded everyone of “The Shot.”

In 1989, when the Cleveland Cavaliers faced off against the pre-championship Chicago Bulls, the team’s star made a cinematic move with seconds left in the game. He helped the Bulls win 101-100 in front of the Cavaliers’ home crowd in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Ridgefield Coliseum in Ohio.

Just like that, Rosa hit an 18-foot shot at the buzzer to end the game with a 53-51 win over Hudson Catholic. He successfully led the team to the NJSIAA Non-Public North A finals. With Rosa’s buzzer-beater, the Marauders have won five straight and will face Don Bosco Prep on Monday.

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“I want to shoot. I’m very confident. “I just felt the moment I was going to hit the ball,” Rosa said after the game. There was no mention of Jordan, no one telling him that he had recreated one of the best moments in NBA history.

After that shot tripped Cleveland’s Craig Aello, Jordan raised his fist in celebration. When the Predators’ sophomore guard was mobbed by teammates, he didn’t immediately celebrate.

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This is nothing new to Rosa. Throughout his high school career, he always made the difference at the buzzer. Most recently, just a month ago. The 6-foot Marauder escaped his defender and drained a Hail Mary shot from beyond the arc to win the game in early February. No wonder his teammates nicknamed him “Mr. Cratchit. ”

They have an implicit understanding that if they want to win, get the ball to Rosa. They follow this strategy exactly. ““I feel confident, I’m in rhythm, I know I’m going to hit that shot,” Rosa said.

He will graduate in 2026. But his resume could attract quite a few D1 programs. He is a member of the 15U/16U Puerto Rico National Team. He led the team to a gold medal at the Centrobasket 15U competition and a bronze medal at the Americacup 16U competition. He also qualified for the 2024 17U World Cup.

Now, St. Peter’s Prep has a chance to win back-to-back championships. We’ll have to wait and see if Rich Rosa can also be the Michael Jordan they need on Monday.