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By Mike Morton
Brooklyn Daily
The Nazareth boys basketball team made history by winning the Catholic Class A state title one year after taking the ‘B’ crown.
No Catholic school has ever won another city or state crown in their first year moving up to a higher classification. The Kingsmen did so by topped Canisius (Buffalo) 46–40 to win the ‘A’ final at Fordham University on Saturday.
“I’m so proud of these guys,” Nazareth coach Todd Jamison said. “To go back to federation twice in a row, it’s incredible.”
It took a fourth quarter rally for Nazareth (23–5) to secure the victory. Entering the frame trailing 31–27, Nazareth launched a lead-grabbing 12–2 run that spanned six minutes, because the players never stopped believing.
“We just had to keep pushing,” said Kingsmen junior Samson Usilo, who scored 14 points. “We just had to keep the mindset that we would win the game.”
Canisius senior Matt McDonald, (14 points), answered Nazareth’s run with a 3-pointer with 1:33 remaining in the game to cut the Kingsmen’s lead to just three. The Crusaders (23–5) never got closer.
Naz’s Naquan Chandler made two free throws with 35.9 seconds remaining to give the Kingsmen a 43–38 lead. Chandler then stole the ball on Canisius’ next possession, was fouled and made 1-of-2 free throws.
“He’s a senior, and I have to lean on him,” Jamison said.
The Nazareth defense caused problems for the Crusaders all afternoon, allowing few opportunities inside. Usilo led the charge by collecting five blocks.
“He was a beast down there,” Jamison said.
Nazareth had some extra motivation for this game, as they lost to Canisius on Dec. 15 by 10 points. The Kingsmen vowed to get revenge for the loss, according to junior Ahmad Alkhulaidi, who scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
The Nazareth team heads back to the State Federation tournament where it will face Albany Academy in the semifinals at 3:15 pm on March 22.
The Kingsmen’s loss there last season still. Usilo said his team had not been able to focus then because of the excitement of playing in a big tournament for the first time. He expects things to be much different this time around.
“Last year we didn’t come out to play,” Usilo said. “This year we have to have the mindset that we’re going to win.”