BRIARWOOD, NY - The Christ the King boys J.V. basketball team captured the C.H.S.A.A. "AA" City Championship. They avenged two regular season losses to the Bishop Loughlin Lions with a 61-50 victory at Archbishop Molloy H.S. Saturday March 4.

The Royals playing without their leading scorer Tavin Pierre Phillipe pulled together and played a special game. Pierre Phillipe was injured in the Royals semi-final victory over Monsignor Scanlan of the Bronx.

The game tipped off with the Lions one two punch William Lee (4, 3 pointers) and Jahime Young controlling the boards to give Loughlin a 21-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. With C.K. center Nate Curry in early foul trouble the young Royals began to make a run behind Malik Lacewell (10 pts. 6 assists), and Sam Goderich (13 points). Isiah Rodriguez crashed the boards as the Royals took a 32-30 lead at intermission.

The second half began with the Royals playing with a sense of urgency that the Lions hadn't seen in their earlier meetings. Nate Curry (14 points and 15 rebounds. Jeff Williamson (18 points, 6 boards), helped the Royals build a 14-point lead. A Lee half court 3 at the buzzer ended the third session with C.K. up 11 points. The fourth quarter saw the teams trading baskets. The guard play of Alpha Diallo, Isaac Diorro, Lacewell and Goderich handled pressure and hit clutch free throws. Curry and Williamson controlled the boards giving the C.K. a hard-fought City Title.

Coach James Horan earned his first city title. Coach Horan credits the hard work of the players and coaching staff for the Royals 23-2 overall record. The Royals also won the Tony Iurilli Tournament in Nov. C.K. and Loughlin played for the Freshman title in 2016, with the Lions winning. Jeff Williamson celebrated saying, " We finally got them back for last years' chip.".

Congratulations to both teams on a great season. Good luck in their Varsity years to come.!!!