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By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Bishop Loughlin’s depth proved too much for Christ the King during the Lion’s 68–64 win in the Catholic Class AA Intersectional boys’ basketball semifinals at Carnesecca Arena on March 9. The Lions squad, which is clawing to win its first title since 1992, is the only team to beat Christ the King three times this year — and end the Queens powerhouse’s quest for a historic fourth-straight crown. Markquis Nowell and Keith Williams combined for 60 points the last time Bishop Loughlin faced Christ the King, but this win was a team effort, their coach said.
“We have ballplayers,” said Loughlin head man Ed Gonzalez. “I knew they would try to take the ball away from Markquis. I said, ‘Who’s going to step up?’ ”
The Lions’ balanced scoring proved that players heeded his call, especially sophomore Idan Tretout who finished with a season-high 19 points coming off the bench. Tretout exerted his presence early by taking a charge, blocking shots, and capping off the first quarter with a buzzer-beater from about 10 feet behind the three-point line, giving the Lions a 17–16 lead.
“I just wanted to step up and come off the bench and help my team in any way I could,” Tretout said. “I think, in the whole league, we have the deepest bench with the most talent.”
Intensity elevated to a new level as the third quarter closed — defense took over at the rim, and referees let the players play. One crowd-pleasing minute of basketball came to an end with junior Jordan Thomas pinning a Christ the King layup to the backboard as Lions fans in Carnesecca Arena erupted.
Loughlin took a 47–46 lead going into the fourth quarter. Christ the King point guard Jose Alvarado, the league’s most valuable player, was in and out of foul trouble all game. Royals senior Jared Rivers kept his team in the game with timely threes down the stretch. Rivers finished with a game-high 21 points, but the Lions depth prevailed.
Tretout had a crowd-energizing dunk, followed by a three on the next possession. Afterward, he strutted down the court oozing with confidence and smiling at the crowd. Thomas made a big layup after grabbing an offensive rebound with 1:11 left in the game to give the Lions a 62–56 lead. Keith Williams added 12 points alongside his impressive work on the glass.
“Guys key up on Markquis and I, so the only thing we can do is tell our teammates to step up for us,” Williams said. “Everyone has stepped up. Idan stepped up. It was very big for us and it helped us win.”
Nowell finished with 13 points, despite suffering an ankle injury a minute before the half. Thomas had 10 points. Bishop Loughlin’s balanced scoring has been vital to their success all season, particularly in their win over rival Christ the King.
The Lions advance to face Xaverian 3:30 pm Sunday at Fordham University in the first all-Brooklyn final in more than 60 years.
“It feels good because Christ the King has won it all three years in a row,” Williams said. “For us to have the chance to win it all? It feels great.”