What a day it was for St. Ray’s. Coach Oliver Antigua couldn’t help but beam.
St. Raymond rising junior Daniel Dingle dominated the first half and his classmate Kerwin Okoro did similar in the second to lead The Bronx to a 58-56 win against Brooklyn in the Nike World Basketball Festival’s Battle of the Boroughs semifinals Friday at Rucker Park. Okoro had three 3-pointers after halftime, including what would end up being the game-winner with 56 seconds left.
“I wanted to win,” said Antigua, who was cheering from the stands. “You’re pulling for your borough. I’m proud of those kids. Dingle hit a big 3. Kerwin made a huge 3. They both made free throws. … Those are our two key guys and for them to be out here showcasing their skills at this huge, legendary place it was great. For us to get the win, they’re a big part of it, I’m excited. It’s a good day.”
St. Ray’s is going to be downright scary next year with those two. Dingle and Okoro already established themselves as beasts down low as sophomores. Now the two of them can pop out and drain 3s? Yikes.
“Last year’s experience, they want more,” Antigua said of making it to the CHSAA intersectional semifinals. “They’re hungry as a group. They’re really changing their bodies, they’re putting the work in. I’m really happy. I can’t wait.”
The offers and interest are starting to pour in, too. Okoro has offers from St. John’s, Rutgers and Iowa State and interest from Villanova, Pittsburgh, UConn, Marquette, Seton Hall, Providence, Kentucky, Washington, USC, Virginia and Virginia Tech. Dingle says he has interest from Tennessee, Oklahoma, Alabama, Houston and a few other SEC and Pac-10 schools.
“I can’t wait until November, December comes,” Okoro said. “The whole team is ecstatic.”
Here are some other observations from the day at Rucker Park:
— It was a good day for hard-nosed, undersized point guards. Robeson’s Darrel Lucky had 12 points for Brooklyn in the loss to The Bronx, former All Hallows star Rashawn Stores looked good for The Bronx and Christ the King’s Corey Edwards, playing for the NYC all-stars, looked no worse for wear coming back from his foot injury.
This was my first look at the 5-foot-10 Lucky and the kid can flat-out play. He’s fast, can get to the rim and his pullup jumper is deadly.
“Kids dream about playing in Rucker Park,” Lucky said. “I played on the biggest stage. The atmosphere is crazy. I got to show my talent. I loved it.”
— Jefferson would have been very, very good this year if Thaddeus Hall didn’t decide to depart for Word of God (N.C.). Put Hall, who missed a lot of time due to grades this past winter, on a team with Davontay Grace, Shamel Williams, Edson Avila and Tyquan Goodlett (who is transferring from St. Anthony’s in Jersey City) and that’s a problem. All of those guys played Friday in the Battle of the Boroughs and all had their moments.
— The highlight of the Bronx-Brooklyn game might have been famed streetball announcer Joe Pope on the mic. Rosters? He doesn’t need no stinking rosters. Everyone has a nickname with Pope. Kamari Murphy was “Lloyd Banks” because of his likeness to the rapper. Goodlett was “J.J. from Good Times.” Lucky was “Coffee Mugs for Ears.” Joey DeLaRosa, playing with dark shades, was “Ray Charles.” Dingle was “Stewie from Family Guy.”
No one is safe with Pope in the building. He asked a short ref if he came to the game in a car seat and ripped on Antigua for the gel in his hair. The crowd was rolling.
