Christ
the King and Bishop Loughlin each scored impressive wins in last night's CHSAA
"AA" semifinals at Fordham's Rose Hill gym last night. The results
set up what should be a fantastic rematch of last season's final between these
two traditional powers. On Sunday at
3:00 pm two teams that faced difficult tests last night will meet for the
championship after splitting two games in the regular season. Round three
figures to be an epic struggle and the champion will have to win decisively
because both teams will play with a champion's effort and heart Here are recaps
of the two games that set the stage for
what should be an amazing game.
Bishop Loughlin 89 St. Peter's 77 Since his arrival
on Loughlin's varsity three years ago Mike Williams has been the guy to give a
talented Lions' squad a dose of physical toughness that is as essential to
winning as the stuff that shows up on the stat sheet. Mike scored a game high
30 points in helping his team hold off a
stubborn and talented St. Peter's squad bit the way he scored was what mattered
most. Simply put he gave his team
whatever it needed; a trademark corner three, a key rebound for a basket, and a
mid range jumper were all part of the arsenal. And they needed every last ounce
of Williams' effort plus help from his teammates to beat the Eagles from Staten
Island who proved individually and as a team that they belonged with the city's
top teams.
Point
guard Glenn Sanabria continued to demonstrate why he should have been a D-1
recruit long ago. After an early time out by
coach Charlie Driscoll perhaps to settle his team down, St. Peter's played
as they have all season against what was likely the most active and athletic defense they've seen.
Sanabria handled the ball beautifully
against heavy pressure. His 17 points included several treys including
one of the contested step back variety, and a beautiful cross over lefty finish
for a "hoop and ham" three point play. And when he wasn't scoring,
Sanabria was delivering on time and on target passes to shooters such as junior Riley Walsh who finished with a team high 25
points. Senior Latrell Curtis who had 15 points and senior reserve David Adesco
who added 10 and gave the Eagles a huge boost.
Loughlin
ultimately prevailed because in addition to Williams' great effort they got 22
from Khadeem Carrington including a back breaking three from the top of the
circle from a distance where you just
don't guard players, even great ones. Javian Delacruz added 16 while shooting
specialist Isak Boden had 11 off the bench.
In a game
of streaks St. Peter's was able to rally each time Loughlin seemed on the verge
of pulling away. A 7-0 spurt by the Lions that countered a 5-0 spurt by St.
Peter's to open the 4th period ultimately proved decisive for the Lions and
propelled them into the championship round.
Christ the King 49 Cardinal Hayes 47 Hayes had posted a convincing season opening
win against the Royals in December and in more ways than just the final score
this game was the polar opposite of the first between the two teams. Hayes not
only encountered a better team in Christ the King but a better player in Adonis
Delarosa, who ultimately provided the margin for the Royals. W hen Shavar Newkirk scored on a
difficult drive and converted the free throw with 1:07 left to give Hayes a
47-44 lead it appeared that Hayes had done just enough to overcome what I
suspect they'd admit was a sloppy effort offensively. The Royals and Delarosa had
other ideas. First Delarosa drew a foul on a post up and made one of two free
throws to bring CK to within 47-45. On Hayes' next possession Delarosa drew an
offensive foul on Ekwu that would be his 5th. As the Royals got ready to
inbound the ball you could see Adonis talking and pointing to his teammates. He
knew where he wanted to go, to the low block. And he wanted to make sure his
teammates got the ball to him there. And when they did Delarosa executed
perfectly using a drop step move that likely wasn't in his repertoire when he
faced Ekwu and Hayes in December. he powered the ball through contact scored
the goal and made the free through with 14.3 seconds left to give the Royals.
Travis Atson then took down a Hayes air ball and made one of two free throws to
provide the final margin. Atson finished with 7 points 9 rebounds and a momentum
changing dunk over Ekwu that helped the Royals bounce back from an early 4th quarter deficit. Rawlie Alkins
led the scoring with 18 points and had a terrific all around game while Andre
Walker continued what was been a great
playoff run for him with 11 points and 5 rebounds .
Delarosa's
numbers may look modest to those who did not see the game but his 12 points and
9 boards may seem modest to those who did not see the game or follow the
league. But the numbers and his success against Ekwu, who outplayed him in
December are indicative of a player who's improved his game by adding a hook
shot and doing his work early in establishing post position. This game may not
have been an artistic success but it was
a great slugfest between two very good teams. The Royals, earned a great win
and a chance to defend their title Sunday.
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