Most teams this time of year are playing for titles and history. Nazareth has much more at stake.
The Brooklyn school is likely closing in June for good because of declining enrollment. With a save-the-school campaign ongoing, the players know what it would mean to take some hardware back to East Flatbush.
“Having this championship is uplifting to our school,” senior Mike Megafu said.
Nazareth didn’t leave much suspense last night. Star sophomore Samson Usilo began the game with an alley-oop from Naquan Chandler and the Kingsmen didn’t look back from there in a 70-47 rout of No. 2 St. Agnes in the CHSAA Class B boys basketball championship game at Fordham University in The Bronx.
“Hopefully this won’t be our last one,” coach Todd Jamison said of the title.
It is Nazareth’s first boys crown of any kind since winning back-to-back “A” titles in 1988 and 1989. The Kingsmen will meet St. Mary’s of Lancaster in the CHSAA Class B state championship game next weekend either in the city or in Buffalo. The winner of that goes up to the New York State Federation tournament in Albany.
Usilo poured in 29 points, including three 3-pointers, and Shajea Stephenson had 15 points. Naquan Chandler had nine points and Megafu added eight.
The school’s board of trustees is allowing Nazareth to register students for next year, and it had an open enrollment day Wednesday.
“We need these boosts for the kids,” principal Providencia Quiles said of the championship. “It’s been tough for them. It’s been tough for all of us. We’re still fighting.”
Iona Prep 70,
St. Edmund Prep 54
Brandon Williams came off the bench to score 18 points to lead Iona over St. Edmund for its second CHSAA Class A boys basketball championship in four years. Isiah Ice had 17 points and Tim McCarthy had 11 points for the Gaels, who meet either St. John the Baptist (L.I.) of Canisius (Buffalo) in the CHSAA Class A state final next weekend.
