Hitting Back :: A New York Sports Blog

PARK SLOPE, BK-If they gave an A for effort, coach Mike Kubera’s Berkeley Carroll Lions would certainly get it. Unfortunately, when it comes to hoops, it can only get you so far. A shorthanded Varsity boys team fell short to ACIS rival St. Ann’s 62-46 at the BC Athletic Center in The Slope.

They started with just eight minus two starters with Walker Harrison under the weather and Joe Longo nursing an injury which likely will keep him out a while. Already without two key pieces, Kubera was dealt another blow when sophomore starter Cole Kitchen also left early in the first quarter with a bad right foot that ballooned after a tough fall.

Down to seven, the Lions didn’t pack it in. On the heels of a blowout defeat to league power Dwight, instead they came out strong catching St. Ann’s by surprise. Kubera’s pesky squad got out to an early lead led by a balanced attack that featured seniors Sean Cunningham and Nate Barr each pacing them with 11. They also got some strong inside play from senior captain John O’Shaughnessy, who chipped in with nine and crashed the boards against a bigger foe.

After trailing by five early, St. Ann’s finally got it going thanks to the play of one of their guards who finished with a game high 23. He got plenty of help from two backcourt ‘mates and a couple of bigs inside. Their depth took control, concluding the first period on an 11-0 run to lead 16-11.

When the road club in gold continued to score building a 17-point cushion, Kubera burned a couple of timeouts to regroup his troops. They responded by running off the next eight thanks to timely hoops from Cunningham who ignited them. O’Shaughnessy also chipped in with a pair of free throws and Barr used some strong drives to draw fouls.

The Lions also forced turnovers with a press energizing a crowd that included a couple of boisterous cheerleaders from the Varsity girls who play tomorrow. Both Olivia Wilson and Tess Salvatore certainly made their presence known. Perhaps it rubbed off as BC hung tough trailing 32-22 at the half.

Every time St. Ann’s looked ready to pull away, the Lions came back getting solid contributions from Jesse Levine and Adam Kochman. Senior Paul Bendernagle also provided hustle, including a couple of steals. Joe Martinez also had a nice finish. For the latter, frustration boiled over late in the third when he was called for a foul earning a technical. But the official quickly gave him another, ending his day. The quick hook dealt Kubera another blow. Especially with O’Shaughnessy picking up two more fouls for his fourth.

Despite no Kitchen or Martinez, Kubera’s six never stopped working. However, St. Ann’s was able to finally salt it away, earning the road victory.

The girls Varsity look to keep the winning going when they play host to Evangel Christian Tuesday at 4 PM.