Fans treated to a thriller

Fans treated to a thriller|Fans treated to a thriller
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A rematch between two of the top teams in the Brooklyn Diocese of the Catholic High Schools Athletic Association could happen in the Diocese final with the eventual winner entering the Intersectional playoffs in March.

If the favorites with three players sure to make headlines in college don’t get bumped along the way, a large crowd will turn out to cheer for their favorite teams and college coaches expect to be on hand.

In their last meeting on a recent busy Sunday afternoon with basketball being played all over New York City on different levels, Christ The King and Bishop Loughlin battled down to the wire in a game that featured tremendous offensive and defensive plays by both teams. Christ The King from Middle Village, Queens pulled it out with the deciding basket coming on a three-point shot by Andre Walker to put the Royals ahead 70-67 with 1: 30 left in the fourth quarter on way to a 72-71 victory.

The game highlighted three all-city players in seniors Jon Severe and Jordan Fuchs both on Christ The King and junior Khadeem Carrington of Bishop Loughlin from Brooklyn.

Fuchs already signed a letter of intent to continue his education at UConn, but on a football scholarship starting this fall. The trio could do almost anything on the court, both defensively and offensively. They are tremendous players, excite the fans with their moves, and can certainly go far in the sport.

They tried to put on a tremendous show in the last game to the delight of the almost capacity crowd.

Every time the Royals broke the game open a bit, the Lions managed to rally and come back to make a game of ‘it.’

The whole season has gone well for the Royals, who already clinched first place in their division of the CHSAA during the regular schedule.

However, the excitement didn’t only come from those three players. Take for example, a junior waiting to step ‘it’ up next season for the Royals. His name is Andre Walker, a 6-0 guard , who has been playing very confident.

“He’s a very good basketball player and needs to play every minute on the floor,” said CK Head Coach Joe Arbitello. “He transferred from St. Anthony’s and now he’s the team leader. He is doing a great job. And next year when we need him to score more he’ll do it.”

The Royals list six seniors on their roster, led by Fuchs and Severe, who has not made up his mind about college as yet, as he is weighing offers, including those from local colleges, whose representatives came to the recent game at Christ The King.

Next year they will look to Walker to lead them. He expects to be one of nine players back. But first is the playoffs, and their goal is to go all the way and return to compete in the State Tournament.

In league competition this season, Christ The King has maintained a high level.

“We haven’t done anything that cemented ourselves as the number one team in New York City,” added Arbitello. “We are just having a very good season.”

Christ the King’s Jon Severe #10 in action against Bishop Loughlin during a high school basketball game on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2013 in Brooklyn, NY. The Christ the King Royals won the game.
AP Photo/Gregory Payan