By Joseph Staszewski
A poor shooting night against the league’s best shooting team isn’t a recipe for success.
That is exactly what happened to Christ the King in a 64-50 home loss to Iona Prep in a battle between arguably the two best teams in CHSAA Class AA boys’ basketball Saturday night. The Royals shot just 2 of 26 from behind the 3-point line as the Gaels packed in their zone to keep CK out of the paint. Iona has won 10 straight games and snapped Christ the King’s string of four consecutive wins.
“There is this thing. It’s round and the object is to put it in the other round thing and we didn’t do that tonight,” Royals coach Joe Arbitello said.
Iona Prep focused its defensive attention on CK star Rawle Alkins (21 points) and sophomore point guards Jose Alvarado. Virginia-bound guard Ty Jerome and backcourt mate Tom Capuano disrupted the Royals’ offense.
CK didn’t move the ball well enough to beat the traps’ Alkins and Alvarado’s teammates never got going to ease the pressure. Arbitello, who believes CK and Iona will meet again for the city title, said his team needs to do a better job running its offense moving forward.
“We all played hard, but nobody got into rhythm,” said Royals guard Jared Rivers, who had eight points. “Nobody could put the ball in the basket.”
CK, which beat Holy Cross 53-48 Friday, only trailed Iona 28-21 at the half despite its struggles. Jerome caught fire after the break and scored 17 of his game-high 24 points. Consecutive threes from Alex Belbusti and Jerome put the Gaels up 37-24 with 4:33 to go in the third quarter. Ryan had 11 of his 12 points in the first half and Capuano added 15 for Iona. Yashawn Bright added eight points for CK.
The Gaels (16-3, 11-2) felt beating the two-time defending city and state Federation champions further validated them as title contenders.
“We were waiting for this game all season,” Jerome said. “We won nine in a row and all we heard was, well, wait until you play Christ the King. We don’t fear anyone.”
Christ the King (15-4, 10-2) didn’t just lie down. The Royals rallied in the fourth quarter. As Iona’s shooting cooled off and they were able to put the pace in transition to get back in the game, CK got within six twice, the second coming on Tracy Clekley’s layup with 3:23 to play in the game,
It appeared Christ the King would have a chance to inch closer, but it failed to get a long defensive rebound on the next possession. Belbusti, who had nine points, made them pay by banking in the three-pointer from the right side to put Iona up 52-43 with 3:00 to go.
“He banked a three — lucky shot,” Alkins said. “He didn’t even all bank.”
The Christ the King star did, however, call for a Royal response from this loss. He expected his team right back in the gym hoisting up shots.
“It’s a night to forget,” Alkins said. “That comeback. Wait for that comeback.”
