Christ the King Tops Stepinac for Boys’ Intersectional Crown

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The Archbishop Stepinac High School boys’ basketball team was outscored 16-4 in the fourth quarter of a 61-56 CHSAA Class AA Intersectional championship game loss to Christ the King at Fordham University in the Bronx March 10.
Stepinac, which didn’t make a shot from the field in the fourth quarter, led by as many as 14 points in the third quarter before Christ the King made its run. The Royals scored the game’s final eight points.
“Christ the King changed defenses and did a great job of making shots difficult for us,” Stepinac coach Pat Massaroni told CNY. “We had some that went in and out, and some open looks that did not fall.”
RJ Davis collected 22 points, eight rebounds and five assists for Stepinac (14-16 overall). Adrian Griffin Jr. contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and five blocks, and Malcolm Chimezie added six points and 11 rebounds.
“I am proud of this group,” Massaroni said. “To battle to the end and get back to the city championship with all the injuries and adversity we had this season goes to show much of a great group of kids we have in this program.”
Christ the King (19-10) won its sixth CHSAA Intersectional title since 2010 and first since 2015.

Park School 48, Msgr. Farrell 47—Msgr. Farrell’s rally from a seven-point deficit in the final minute came up a point short against the defending state federation champions from the Buffalo region in the CHSAA Class A state final at Fordham University March 9.
Anthony Clemenza and Chris Edwards scored 11 points apiece for the Lions (22-5), the 2017 CHSAA Class A state champions who were competing in their third CHSAA Class A title game in four years. Jake Struthers and Justin Zieris each had eight points.
Park School (25-2) will have the opportunity to defend its state federation title in Glens Falls March 22-24.

Cardinal O’Hara 45, Regis 35—The two teams were tied at 28 entering the fourth quarter at Fordham University before the Buffalo region champions denied Regis a second consecutive CHSAA Class B state championship March 9.
Will Eastwick scored 12 points, and Joe Manfredi added eight points and eight rebounds for Regis (20-6 overall), which shot 1 for 15 from three-point range and 2 for 8 from the foul line. Regis held an opponent under 60 points for the 24th time this season.
“Unusual struggles on offense led to the loss,” said Regis coach Kevin Cullen. “We did everything that we had in the game plan. We shortened the game, got them in early foul trouble and kept the score low. Everything than shoot well and win, but I’m proud of my team. They busted their tails all year on both ends of the floor.”