By Marc Raimondi
That thought didn't cross his mind immediately after Cross fell to Lincoln, 86-67, in the state Federation Class AA boys' basketball championship game Sunday afternoon. But it did enter later.”This is my last time playing for Holy Cross,” Landesberg said. “It meant a lot to me. It was a great experience. I loved it.”The Virginia-bound McDonald's All-American finished his career with a signature performance. He scored 31 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and did just about all he could to will the Knights to victory. But against a team with Lance Stephenson, regarded as the best player in the city, and two tremendous post players, 6-foot-7 Justin Greene and 6-foot-8 James Padgett, Holy Cross (22-8) had to play a perfect game.Greene had 19 points, Stephenson had 16 and point guard Darwin Ellis added 20 for Lincoln. Senior Kayvon Roberts had 19 points for Holy Cross.”They're just a deep team,” said Landesberg, who was awarded his Mr. New York Basketball trophy afterward. “In my opinion, even if Lance didn't play, they'd still be in the position they're in now.”Stephenson didn't play the entire second quarter, actually, because he had two fouls. He was called for a technical after dunking when the ball was whistled dead. He and Landesberg got into a scuffle on the second play of the game. Landesberg, who guarded his rival the whole game, went after Stephenson and the two had a verbal exchange.For coach Paul Gilvary and Holy Cross, the trip to Glens Falls was a nice respite. Nothing more. The Knights made their name with their first CHSAA Class AA intersectional championship in 40 years.”We'll always be remembered for that game at Fordham against Christ the King,” Gilvary said. “That's forever.”Reach Associate Sports Editor Marc Raimondi by e-mail at mraimondi@timesledger.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 130.
