Note: More media content is available for this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Mike Williams’ words were barely audible as the disappointed Bishop Loughlin guard tried to sum up a heart breaking loss to Christ the King.
There was no moral victory for he and his teammates following the 73–72 home defeat to the division-leading Royals in Brooklyn-Queens boys basketball Friday night. There was only talk of what should have been.
“We’re supposed to win that game,” Williams said. “We’re a better team than this.”
The Lions led by five midway through the fourth quarter and three with 33 seconds remaining in the game. Khadeen Carrington put in a diving layup with two defenders draped over him to make it 72–69. Loughlin did not score again.
Christ the King guard Malik Harmon, who netted 12 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, answered by hitting consecutive layups. He connected on one falling down along the left side with 10 seconds remaining to put his team up for good in front of a packed house that included St. John’s University head coach Steve Lavin and Rutgers University head man Mike Rice. Carrington, who was being scouted by the coaches, was not sure how Harmon got the ball to go down.
“That was a tough shot he hit,” he said. “I think it was lucky and I don’t even believe in luck.”
The Lions had no such good fortune as they saw Williams miss an open layup down the middle of the lane on the ensuing possession. Javian Delacruz’s put back attempt popped out as time expired. It was Loughlin’s second tight home defeat to one of the league’s elite teams this season, having to Cardinal Hayes 74–70 to open the season.
The Lions (13–3, 4–3) got a game-high 29 points and six rebounds from Carrington and 18 points and seven boards from Williams in defeat. Jonathan Severe paced Christ the King (14–2, 8–0) with 15 points.
It’s a loss Loughlin won’t have to wait long to try to avenge as the two clubs meet again in Middle Village on Feb. 10. The teams could play as many as four more times as they are the favorites to reach the diocesan and city title games.
But Carrington said each loss to the hated rivals bothers him.
“We are going to remember this one,” Carrington said. “I don’t really like CK.”
Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.