Christ the King takes Boys and Girls titles
Boys Basketball
Christ the King’s superior basketball programs continues to roll along the Royals claimed the New York State Federation Class ‘AA’ title, defeating Boys & Girls, 52-49, in Glen Falls on Sunday, March 28. It was the Royals’ (26-5) first state Federation title since 1989. Led by sophomore Omar Calhoun with 20 points and a crucial 8-8 from the charity strip, staked a 12-point, third quarter lead only to allow the Kangaroos (28-6) to storm back and take a one-point lead with just over two minutes remaining in the game. However, after Calhoun was fouled and subsequently sank his free throws, the Royals never looked back.
Girls Basketball
With the boys’ victory, the Middle Village School became the first in the history of the tournament to produce winners on both the girls and boys side. Earlier in the day, the Lady Royals defeated Sachem East of Suffolk County, 56-47, to claim their own New York State Federation Class ‘AA’ championship, their first since 2006. Sachem East (22-4) led by two-points heading into the fourth quarter, but the Royals’ (26-5) two stars, Ariel Edwards and tournament Most Valuable Player Bria Smith, would not be denied. Edwards and Smith combined to score 13 of CK’s 16 fourth quarter points, propelling their squad to the championship.
Men’s Baseball
The St. John’s men’s baseball team closed out a disappointing start to Big East competition with a 5-3 loss to Pitt (18-4, 3-0) in a rain-shortened game in Pittsburgh on Sunday, March 28. The rainy loss sealed a 0-3 start for the Red Storm (12-9, 0-3) in Big East play, as they lost to Pitt 4-1 and 13-1 in the two previous games of the three-game series. The Red Storm wasted a superb pitching performance by Bruce Kern in the first game, as he allowed just three runs in 7.1 innings of work. The Johnnies will look to turn their conference play around with doubleheader at home against Seton Hall on Thursday, April 1.
