Champagnie Pops, Loughlin Tops Royals
MIDDLE VILLAGE, NY – The Bishop Loughlin Lions have been dominating the B/Q CHSAA “AA” division but Friday’s game against their closet league rival, the second place Christ the King was no cake walk. The Royals took Loughlin into deep water and it took a clutch shot in overtime, to secure a 70 – 68 win for the Brooklyn squad who now reign supreme in the Catholic league.
6’6” Julien Champagnie ‘19 was the hero baller of the evening, draining a three-ball from the corner pocket in a play that was actually designed for his twin brother Justin Champagnie ‘19. “It wasn’t a planned strategy.,” said Champagnie. “The play was for my brother to come get a lay-up cuz we didn’t really need a three but I was wide open so…”
Bishop Loughlin took an early lead as 5’6” Maurice Doby ‘19 caught fire from the perimeter but buckets inside by 6’5” Nate Curry ‘19 along with long range shots by 6’3” Malik Lacewell ‘19 gave Christ the King a two-point advantage after the warm-up quarter. The Champagnie twins began to tag team CTK in the second quarter but the host team responded as 6’1” Lovell Smith ‘20 stepped up to the plate and scored.
As the second half got underway, the teams were tied at 24 apiece. Julien Champagnie had a strong quarter but so did 6’6”/290 lb. Jared Harrison-Hunte ‘19 who netted points as well as rebounds in the paint. The senior who committed earlier in the day to Miami on a football scholarship displayed why he’d be an asset on the gridiron as a wide-body.
Christ the King to three-point lead with 2 minutes left in the third quarter hard fought baskets by 6’4” Jahiem Young ‘19 gave Loughlin a two-point advantage at the end of three. A shoot out ensued during the fourth quarter with 6’2” Ryan Myers ‘20 heading up Christ the King and Justin Champagnie getting to the rim and/or to the free-throw line.
Harrison-Hunte gave the Royals a 60 lead with a putback as time wound down but Justin Champagnie countered with a putback of his own send the game into overtime knotted at 60. As the hour glass emptied during the four-minute OT, it was anybody’s game as the lead went back and forth.
Down 67 – 65 with a minute left to play, Smith swished a trey that suddenly gave the Royals a two-point lead. Lions head coach Ed Gonzalez called time out with 14.2 seconds and drew up a play but as many plays do, it went awry and with 9.4 seconds remaining in the first OT, Julien found himself open and took the shot which rumbled around the entire circumference of the rim before finally falling through. “When it left my hand, it felt good and when it bounced around, I knew I had the soft touch and it was gonna go in.”
Champagnie added that Loughlin was prepared to play against 6’11” Moussa Cisse ‘21 who’s expected to return to Christ the King any day now. “He didn’t play but we knew it was going to be a tough game on their court with the refs and all.”
Julian Champagnie led Loughlin with 23 point with Justin Champagnie contributing 20 points. Myers was high man for Christ the King with 18 points with Curry adding 14 points.
