McPherson's Buzzer Beating Three-Pointer Helps CK Survive Molloy 61-58

     Senior guard Tyson Walker executed a perfect drive and dish to sophomore teammate Quaran McPherson who calmly buried a 3-point shot as time expired and gave Christ the King a 61-58 win over home standing Archbishop Molloy in one of the best basketball games you will find here in New York at any level.

    A week ago, the two teams played a terrific game before a national television audience with the Royals pulling out a 64-61 win at home against the Stanners. In that game Molloy, behind a brilliant effort from junior Cole Anthony, the Stanners led for much of the game before the Royals rallied to win. Last night’s game had a similar feel to it except that after a strong first quarter start by Molloy it was the Royals who seized control after that and held it nearly to the finish line. They did it with a balanced offense. With Walker, the point guard at the controls, the Royals found scoring on the perimeter from sophomore Ryan Meyers, who finished with a team high 14 points, junior Tavin Pierre Philipe and McPherson. They also went inside to their twin towers, 6’11” junior Kofi Cockburn and freshman Moussa Cisse, who combined for 19 very forceful points and provided a consistent defensive presence in the lane and at the rim. The continued progress of those two big men has been great to see during the course of the season. As he has all season long Cisse has shown terrific running ability and balance, while Cockburn combines a strong frame with improving hands and shooting touch. Perhaps most important for the success of the two youngsters at the next level is that they compete on the glass for rebounds and to protect the rim for every single possession they’re in the game. It should be noted here that Molloy’s own 7-footer, recent UCLA commit Moses Brown did the best he could working for touches against CK’s two talented big men. He ran hard, posted strong and demanded the ball but because the Stanners struggled to punch the ball inside he finished with just 8 points.

   Behind their balanced attack, Christ the King lead by 3 at the intermission, pushed that lead to 6 after three quarters and were ahead 58-48 with 1:38 left to play in the final quarter. Molloy than began their rally with the help of a pair of triples, one deep and one contested off the dribble, by Anthony, the Stanners tied the game at 58 with 10 seconds left. Anthony, who finished with a game high 31 points, appeared to help his team send the game into overtime.

   Walker had other ideas and drove the ball into the middle of the lane and kicked it to a waiting McPherson who drained his game winning shot. The Royals had their season sweep of their arch rivals, a precious road win in league play and, perhaps most significantly a well-earned win where the battle test they got against a tough Molloy team on the road will serve them well come playoff time.