Christ the King produces another Miss NY Basketball

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. - Instead of wearing Nike sneakers and her gold and maroon uniform, Lorin Dixon was dressed to impress Saturday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center. She would’ve rather been attired in the former, but during the final weekend of March, when the State Federation tournament is played, was nonetheless a crowning moment for the Springfield Gardens native.
Dixon, who is bound for the University of Connecticut next fall, Christ the King’s quick-as-a-whip point guard, was awarded the Miss New York Basketball title. This honor is bestowed upon the state’s top senior by the Basketball Coaches Association of New York, Inc., and was presented at halftime of the State Federation Class AA girls final, won by Murry Bergtraum, the very team the Royals defeated in the final the last two seasons.
“I feel like I’m living a dream right now,” said Dixon, who averaged 16.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.8 steals per game in leading the Royals (23-4) to their 23rd straight Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan title.
The achievement was bittersweet - although she became the fifth player from the Middle Village school to win the award, following in the footsteps of former teammates Tina Charles and Carrem Gay, and WNBA stars Sue Bird and Chamique Holdsclaw, Dixon was the floor leader on the first CK team in 18 years to fall short of a Catholic state crown.
“I would like to be out there (playing), but this is great,” she said, gazing at the court. “It’s sad, but we took it two years already.”
While the Royals failed to three-peat as mythical National Champions, and were denied the chance to defend their state title against Murry Bergtraum (27-0), CK was still victorious in a way.
The MVP of the title game a season ago, Dixon edged out Erica Morrow, the fourth-ranked Lady Blazers’ talented lead guard. Bergtraum Coach Ed Grezinsky railed against the decision, calling the Syracuse-bound Morrow the best player, not only in the state, but also in the nation.
Dixon actually agreed. When CK Coach Bob Mackey informed the 5-foot-4 senior of the accomplishment, it nearly floored her. She expected either Morrow or St. Michael Academy standout Anjale Barrett, the younger sister of Seton Hall star Andre Barrett to take home the crown.
“I went home and jumped on my mom and hugged my dad,” Dixon said. “Honestly, Erica brought her team here. Erica could have won it. … I was just surprised.”
Of course, Mackey did not see it that way. Unlike Dixon, he was certain of the outcome all the way. “She had the best year in the group,” Mackey said. “Without a doubt, she’s the best player in the state.”