Loughlin Handles Scanlan; Remains undefeated

BROOKLYN, NY- With a record of 12-0 heading into Friday's matchup with a tough Msgr. Scanlan team, the talk of the New York City high school basketball scene was about just how good this Bishop Loughlin group is this season as they have won impressive games out of state, while talking care of business in the CHSAA so far as well.

Getting dominating play from the twin duo of forward's Justin Champagnie '19 and Julian Champagnie '19 has helped lead the Lions to their unbeaten mark so far, but while both had strong games on Friday it was the other Loughlin stars who helped carry the way.

Tyshawn High '19 was a do it all tough guard who had 19 points, while lead guard Taj Chiles '20 had one of his best games of the season with 16 points as Bishop Loughlin pulled away late for an 84-72 victory over Scanlan.

Most who know Loughlin know about the Champagnie's, but for head coach Ed Gonzalez he says that a part of what had them at 12-0 coming in on Friday was the play from the likes of Chiles, High, and Jaheim Young '19 who may not always get the credit they deserve, but continually perform at a high level game in and game out.

"It may surprise you guys but it doesn't surprise me because I know what they can do and that's what makes us a little difficult and a little different as a team that it's not just the twins, we have other very talented players," Gonzalez said.

That was on display in a big way early as Chiles was slashing through the defense and finishing confidently driving to the rim, while High was using his strength and physicality to be both a weapon on the inside and outside, scoring from all parts of the floor to help Loughlin have an early advantage.

If it wasn't for the early play of David DaCosta '19 of Scanlan then the Lions could've had a bigger and more comfortable lead, but with the senior guard for the Crusaders scoring 12 in the opening quarter alone, including some tough shots from the outside, Scanlan was hanging close as they were down just 42-39 at the half.

An opening half that saw Loughlin hold a lead, but it wasn't a performance that Gonzalez was all that happy with as he said the team’s defensive start left a lot to be imagined.

"They did some good things and #23 (DaCosta) was hot early but I thought our defense was a little soft and I asked our guys to pick it up a bit in the second half," Gonzalez admitted.

While quiet for a good portion of the opening half it was Justin Champagnie who came alive after halftime as after scoring 12 if the first half he had 12 alone in the third quarter to help push the Loughlin lead up a bit before Matt Mayers '19started to assume his will onto the game down low finishing in traffic using his big 6'8" frame to keep Scanlan close.

Heading into the fourth it was still anyone’s game with the Lions only up by a 62-58 score, and with the game on the line Justin Champagnie said he knew it was time for them to come together as a team and make a late game statement to put the game away once and for all.

"At the end of the third quarter we had some bad shots and everyone felt like it was their turn to shoot or whatever but we kept it together and said we aren't losing, let's play as a team and get this," Justin Champagnie explained.

The defensive intensity that Gonzalez had been wanting really rose up in the final stanza as well as they held Msgr. Scanlan scoreless for nearly the first 4 minutes of the quarter helping them push the Loughlin lead to double digits for the first time at 68-58, after a Justin Champagnie throw down in transition off a steal.

Stepping up their pressure and causing a good number of Crusader mistakes allowed the Lions defense to come through in the clutch, and as a team and unit Bishop Loughlin win it together as they pulled away late to come away with the 84-72 victory.

Justin Champagnie had 30 points to lead Bishop Loughlin, but with High and Chiles adding 19 and 16 points respectively, and Justin's twin brother Julian adding 15 it was the definition of a team victory for the Lions on Friday.

With 23 points in the defeat, Mayers also proved himself to be a major force in the paint, while Rodney Bailey '20 added 17 points while DaCosta chipped in by scoring 12 of his 14 points for Msgr. Scanlan early in what was another strong performance from a competitive and talented Crusaders team.

Moving their unbeaten record now to 13-0 next up for Bishop Loughlin will be a home date on Sunday with perennial CHSAA power Christ the King, a longtime rival of the Lions. It's going to be a good one in Fort Greene without question, and a game that Champagnie says he is more than ready for.

"I'm excited," Champagnie exclaimed. "It's going to be a dogfight but I have confidence in my guys that we are going to come out on top."