JAMAICA, NY - The second game of the CHSAA Semi Finals double header at St. John’s University featured Stepinac against Christ the King. In the regular season the Crusaders were the only team to get past the Royals in the league and they did it without one of their top guards. This matchup featured some of the best prospects in the state and the entire country. Let’s look at the recap.
6’3” HG Boogie Fland (Stepinac ‘24) knocked down a jumper to start the game as the Royals created a steal on the following possession for a layup. The Crusaders scored, the Royals hit a jumper and then got a three from 6’3” SG Devin Vanterpool ‘23. Vanterpool has the assignment of Fland and was right in his jersey from the get go. 6’1” PG Danny Carbuccia (Stepinac ‘25) who missed their regular season matchup was back and made two free throws but Vanterpool railed another deep three.
Christ the King hit a pair of free throws, Fland got loose for a layup and Stepinac hit a three to end the first. The Royals lead 12-11 after the first but gave up back to back lay ups despite a huge block. They converted two more free throws, Stepinac went 1/2 from the line and Vanterpool was only able to hit one free throw. Stepinac finished a putback, the Royals hit a free throw, Carbuccia scored and Fland buried a three. The Crusaders lead by seven when CTK went a 4-0 run highlighted by a Vanterpool steal and coast to coast dunk at the buzzer.
Stepinac up three at the half was able to get a bucket from their forward but gave up a beautiful alley oop to the Royals on the other end. The teams went a big stagnant when Carbuccia blew past his man for a score but 6’8” DF Brandon Williams (Christ the King ‘23) finally got on the board for the Royals. The UCLA commit was held scoreless in the first half but was ready to go to work. Christ the King scored, Carbuccia stopped a breakaway with an insane strip, Williams hit a free throw but Carbuccia drilled a huge three.
Williams hit a pull up, both teams missed then Vanterpool had a tremendous defensive stop on Fland in the final seconds of the quarter. The Royals scooped up the ball, launched it up the court and found Williams who forced in the ball as the buzzer sounded. Christ the King now lead 31-30 after three thanks to their aggressive defense.
Carbuccia who was seen running into the locker room, started the quarter with a basket but the Royals got past the defense for an easy layup. The Royals up 33-32 with 6:30 to go got a monster and1 from Williams who converted the free throw. Carbuccia came down, got surrounded and fouled somehow made the bucket but missed the free throw. Williams scored, Fland finished a wild and1 but missed the free throw when Vanterpool buried a three to push the lead to five.
Stepinac, in need of an answer got a corner three, Vanterpool turned it over, but they got a stop then Williams was only able to convert one of two at the line. The Crusaders took a corner three where it looked like they had gotten fouled, and the bench erupted. They kept playing as the ball bounced around and when Stepinac got it back they found that same shooter who knocked it down, tying the game at 42.
CTK missed their possession then picked up their seventh foul when Stepinac hit two huge free throws to go up two. The Royals turned it over, Carbuccia finished a layup and Christ the King missed again forcing them to foul. Boogie hit both, Royals missed, Carbuccia went 1/2 from the line as the time ran out on CTK. Stepinac closed the fourth on a huge run securing the 49-42 victory. Carbuccia was player of the game leading all scorers with 16 points while Fland added 11. Williams had a big second half ending up with 13 points while Vanterpool chipped in 12.
What’s Next
3/12 1PM St. John’s University
CHSAA Championship vs Cardinal Hayes
