PARK SLOPE, BK-Perhaps playing the same team twice wasn’t a good omen for the Berkeley Carroll JV Lions. Especially when it came four days apart in the form of ACIS rival St. Ann’s, who ended their season yesterday posting a 39-36 quarterfinal win at the Athletic Center in The Slope.

With first-year coach Carmine Giovino back on the sideline, his players appeared elsewhere at the start. After previously holding off St. Ann’s last week to gain home court advantage, the Lions came out lethargic while their crisper opponent built an 11-point opening quarter lead. In fact, they blanked them by executing perfectly.

Even with their best player in early foul trouble following an early hoop from in close, others picked up the slack with four different players contributing. Moving the ball well and able to get open looks, the visitors made BC pay the price. They also did it defensively really forcing the Lions to the perimeter. Part of the issue may have been due to nerves with the Brooklyn hosts stagnant on offense- forcing too many quick shots which played right into St. Ann’s hands.

After they stretched the lead to eight, Giovino used a timeout trying to settle down his club. The good news is they only allowed three points. The bad was t they didn’t break the shutout, ending the forgettable quarter with a goose egg. While they walked back to the bench mystified, every St. Ann’s player were up cheering with the leader pointing out the obvious:

“We shut them out.“

Even more support from a couple of Varsity girls who play their PSAA playoff semifinal later today at Evangel Christian couldn’t shake the young Lions out of the doldrums. Despite a better start to the second quarter that featured four in a row thanks to a nice Mike Andria finish and an offensive Dondre Benson put back, Berkeley Carroll couldn’t sustain it scoring only five more for nine points at halftime.

Getting timely perimeter shooting including a couple of three-point daggers, St. Ann’s turned it around outscoring BC 14-5 to take a commanding 16-point cushion into intermission.

While the much happier road team stayed on the court, a fiery Giovino laid into his guys downstairs, urging them to play with more intensity. The plea worked as a different bunch of Lions showed, finally pushing back against the guests. Playing much more aggressively on both ends, they immediately got the first four cutting the deficit to a cool dozen. Benson was more assertive offensively and every BC player guarded with intensity, scrapping for every loose ball which led to turnovers. In particular, Andria was a beast getting the uniform dirty. His sheer determination resulted in steals, firing up the bench.

Giovino also inserted both Anthony Spina and Will Perry, who each provided sparks with Perry committing at least half a dozen thefts and Spina picking up the offensive slack with a few big hoops that got BC within single digits. Max Jens also came off the bench and scored immediately, generating enthusiasm.

The Lions’ relentless style helped rack up fouls. However, a key reason their comeback bid fell short was that they didn’t take advantage, missing on 13 of 17 free throws. Ultimately, falling behind by as much as 18 along with the clanks doomed them. They had a few three-point play opportunities but never converted.

St. Ann’s got a huge bucket in the closing seconds of the third off a broken play. Milo Ben Amotz came up with a steal but the Lions handed it right back, paying when the visitors’ best outside threat drained a long two increasing the margin to 29-19 with one quarter left.

Berkeley Carroll continued to force their suddenly shaky foe into mistakes. Despite that, they could only shave two points off staying within range. Going a little cold, it looked like the end was near. But a full court press paid dividends with the Lions scoring quickly to get within 35-30 with under two minutes to play. In the double bonus, they used one of two Andria freebies and a Benson put back to make it 37-33 with under a minute to go.

With a crowd that also included prepping varsity baseball players and a few varsity boys hoops as well, they forced another miscue, getting the ball back with 37.5 ticks remaining. But after a St. Ann’s timeout, Benson forced a prayer that turned it back over. Forced to foul, they put the guests’ center at the line. Even with a few silly girls trying to distract him, he coolly sank a pair for 39-33.

Following another wild miss, Ben Amotz fouled one last time with 3.2 left. After two misses, they got the ball to Spina, whose 25-footer swished at the buzzer for the disappointing final score. One they’d rather forget until next Fall.

Note: The girls varsity visits Evangel Christian, who edged them in the only meeting at Park Slope 35-33. Coach Morgan Sevigny’s crew were shorthanded, minus leading scorer Keyanka Bailey, who’ll be a go tomorrow with tipoff at the Queens school’s gym set for 3:45 PM. If they advance, the PSAA championship is Thursday.