Bishop Loughlin got top-notch performances from seniors Justin Champagnie, Julian Champagnie and Jaheim Young, as the Lions powered their way past Xaverian 61-49 in the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan final at Christ the King on Friday night.
Loughlin took control after Xaverian guard Isaiah Amazan was pulled early in the opening frame after picking up two quick personal fouls, going on a 9-0 run after the Clippers scored the first basket of the game. Young scored five straight for the Lions, and Justin Champagnie's dunk put Loughlin ahead 9-2 with 3:26 to play in the opening quarter. A deep 3-pointer by Julian Champagnie put Loughlin ahead 12-3 before Michael Graham scored the next six for the Clippers, narrowing the margin to 14-9.
#CHSAA B/Q Diocesan Final.
— HS Box Scores NYC (@hsboxscoresnyc) February 23, 2019
End of 1st Q:
Bishop Loughlin 16
Xaverian 9
Tight whistle early; Isaiah Amazan sat the last 6 minutes of the quarter after picking up his 2nd personal; Champagnie twins effective as usual in the paint. #HSBB pic.twitter.com/WaOTHfj2WQ
The Champagnies were simply dominant in the second, as Loughlin outscored Xaverian 23-12 in the quarter. The Lions led by as many as 22, taking their largest lead of the game at 39-17 on a 3-pointer by Julian Champagnie with 1:20 left in the half.
.@CHSAA_NYC B/Q Diocesan Final.
— HS Box Scores NYC (@hsboxscoresnyc) February 23, 2019
Halftime:
Bishop Loughlin 39
Xaverian 21
Lions led by as many as 22; Champagnie twins have been dominant; Xaverian struggling to get stops.@MbbBishop @XaverianBB #HSBB pic.twitter.com/oGSXAgcbJx
Xaverian finally put together a string of defensive stops in the third quarter, allowing them to cut into Loughlin's lead. Amazan's 3-pointer with 6:39 left in the quarter brought the Clippers within 15 at 41-26, and his fast break layup off a steal by Shawn Fulcher trimmed the deficit to 12 at 50-38 heading into the fourth.
#CHSAA B/Q Diocesan Final.
— HS Box Scores NYC (@hsboxscoresnyc) February 23, 2019
End of 3rd Q:
Bishop Loughlin 50
Xaverian 38
Clippers put together a string of stops late in the 3rd and have narrowed the margin to 12. #HSBB pic.twitter.com/rgIajJ5tyu
Xaverian continued to chip away, and Amazan's driving score with 5:38 to play made it a two possession game, bringing the Clippers within six at 51-45. Loughlin appeared to tighten-up a bit, and things got interesting when Justin Champagnie was whistled for a charging foul on the next possession. Xaverian had a chance to pull within three when Nicholas Folk found sharpshooter William Reyes for a clean look at a corner 3-point attempt on the ensuing trip, but the shot hit the heel of the rim and Loughlin secured the long rebound. Fulcher's driving layup brought Xaverian within six again at 55-49 with 2:23 left in the game, but those were the last points for the Clippers, as Loughlin closed the game on a 6-0 run, getting clutch free throws from point guard Maurice Doby and an exclamation point dunk by Justin Champagnie at the buzzer.
#CHSAA B/Q Diocesan Final.
— HS Box Scores NYC (@hsboxscoresnyc) February 23, 2019
Final Score:
Bishop Loughlin 61
Xaverian 49
Clippers pulled within 6 in the 4th, but Lions close it out and win the B/Q title.#HSBB pic.twitter.com/g6EA2Etxkk
Video Highlights (added on February 24, 2019)