Monthly Archives: December 2010

Frantic Berkeley Carroll rally falls short

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PARK SLOPE, BK-If only they’d gotten a kinder bounce, they might’ve still been playing hoops the other day. A frantic late rally fell short when Dondre Benson’s desperation three from 28 feet went in and out at the buzzer, allowing a relieved Calhoun to exhale after holding off the Lions 57-54 at the BC Athletic Center Wednesday.

Coming off a huge league win over Friends Seminary, first-year coach Carmine Giovino’s Varsity Boys got in a game of runs against their Upper West side opponent. Unfortunately, their last ditch effort fell a little short before a packed gym that was into it from start to finish.

Each team went toe to toe, playing rambunctious basketball that gave everyone in the place plenty to ooh and ah about. From the outstanding play of Calhoun’s big lefty who paced everyone with 24 points to Lions’ freshman Ian Miller’s three-point barrage in which he made four in a row to give BC a chance at the comeback, it wasn’t dull. Not with junior Cole Kitchen hit with a controversial technical in the first half and an intentional foul called on ninth grader Shane Pearley, who finished with a gritty 13.

It gave Giovino plenty to get excited about, discussing those pivotal calls with both refs while wondering about a few other missed ones. That’s what happens when you have two teams competing hard, fighting for every bucket and rebound. It led to some heated battles including one between Mike Andria and Calhoun’s other scoring option who added 18- meaning he and the lanky lefty were responsible for 42 of their 57. Trailing by 10 with a few minutes left, the chippiness favored Berkeley Carroll, who fed off the emotion. Urged on by a strong crowd, they never quit.

Not with Miller shooting the lights out, netting 14 of his 18 in the final eight minutes to pace the Lions. Twice, they were down 10 and rallied. A pair of long two’s from Calhoun’s third leading scorer put BC down 49-39. But Miller dialed up from long distance and Pearley drove hard to the bucket, earning free throws.

It looked over when Calhoun went back up 57-48 with two minutes left. However, Miller wouldn’t let them breathe, launching from way downtown. With the Lions turning up the heat, they forced a turnover which allowed them to draw even closer. Another Miller bomb from way out cut it to 57-54 with nine seconds left when a clock malfunction forced the refs to huddle before taking two seconds off. Time keeper Joe Martinez accidentally stopped play after the swish, thinking it was the NBA. With the Lions out of timeouts, the clock should’ve continued to run. The honest mistake led to the officials putting 7.1 on the scoreboard. After Calhoun inbounded, Berkeley Carroll immediately fouled the tall lefty. A reliable free throw shooter clanged a pair, giving the Lions one last chance to miraculously tie it.

When Benson got the ball at half court, he dribbled and then released a shot that looked destined for overtime. However, much like in an earlier JV game that saw Jasper Kitchen’s desperation heave go in and out, Benson’s prayer wasn’t answered, sending everyone home. The junior forward had scored a pair of big baskets earlier, finishing with 11.

Though they fell short, it was another example of the Lions giving everything they had against a good opponent. Something they’ll take with them when they return from the break in the New Year to host ACIS rival Brooklyn Friends on Friday, January 7th. The JV will tip off first at 4, aiming for their first league win. Two days earlier, the Girls Varsity hosts rival Staten Island Academy in a pivotal match scheduled at 4 on 1/5.

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Lady Lions post convincing win over Calhoun

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PARK SLOPE, BK-Nothing could stop the Berkeley Carroll Varsity girls basketball team yesterday. Thanks to dominant performances from senior Keyanka Bailey (game high 26 in three quarters) and eighth grader Courtney Bowen who debuted with 16 points, the Lady Lions crushed Calhoun 62-38 at the BC gym in The Slope.

For Bailey, it was little surprise as she sliced and diced their Upper West Side opponent, performing a balancing act. She had seven in the first quarter, eight in the second and 11 in the third before being given the rest of the day off by third-year Coach Morgan Sevigny. A few days removed from matching her career high with 37 in a win over Columbia Prep, the athletic forward turned in another virtuoso performance, scoring at will. Whether it was in transition with her blazing speed for strong finishes or stepping out with precision accuracy, Bailey did it all. The five-year starter has come a long way from helping the program to an ACIS championship back in ’06-07 alongside former Berkeley Carroll star Zoe Cohen. It hasn’t always been easy with the Lady Lions rebuilding the past couple of years but boasting the same starting five that includes senior floor leader Tess Salvatore, junior Olivia Wilson, sophomore Morgo Miller and ninth grader Sarah Paller, this squad has a chance to do something after the Christmas Break.

As cohesive as Sevigny’s starters are, it works because the versatile Bailey can do so many things on the court. She can handle the ball like a guard or attack the glass inside. Her defensive instincts ignite teammates. The Lady Lions are lethal on the break thanks to strong defense from ball hawks Wilson and Miller, who also help Bailey on the glass. Salvatore and Paller play strong perimeter D, which is why BC can force turnovers and go defense to offense in a blink of an eye.

Toss in new phenom Bowen, who dominated inside after a nervous start and Berkeley Carroll could contend for a league title for the first time since Cohen’s final season (’07-08) before leaving for New Paltz. Aside from the usual heroics from the regulars, Bowen made her presence felt with plenty of good finishes, scoring eight in each half. Most impressively, her first eight came in a big second quarter that broke open a five-point game with BC increasing to a 45-26 lead at halftime.

Despite hanging in early on solid play from their top scorer, Calhoun couldn’t maintain the Lady Lions’ frenetic pace. Up only three, Bailey sparked a mini-run that quickly put their opponents behind double digits. They never recovered. While both Key and Bowen finished around the basket, Salvatore drained a couple of triples- getting her seven in the flow. Miller only connected on one of four free throws but had a nifty set up for Bowen and played tenacious D with Wilson in foul trouble.

Comfortably ahead, Sevigny went to her bench putting in Mia Kellman, Rebecca Bender and _______ (No.11). All three held their own with Bender netting five including a long two right after she entered. She added a trey earning plenty of cheers from pumped up teammates.

Paller was a defensive pest, stealing and scoring two different times on running lay-ins. She also drained a three from the corner en route to seven.

Overall, there was nothing not to like about BC’s game. They competed in all facets and excelled in winning a second straight to enter Christmas vacation in good spirits. It promises to get much tougher when league rival Staten Island Academy visits following the New Year on January 5. That should be a good test. You know Sevigny will have her chargers fired up.

BC Middle School Girls Post Win: In the first game of the double dip, it was a routine day for Coach Joe Wood’s Berkeley Carroll Middle School girls hoops team, who handled Brooklyn Friends 20-1. Guard Anna scored six and her teammate added eight as the two combined for 14 of BC’s 20.

Wood’s club came out strong shutting out Friends in a dominant first half, taking a 14-zip lead into the break. Though they slowed down, Friends still was without a point with four minutes left when a player finally broke the shutout with a free throw, drawing polite applause.

BC didn’t miss a beat without newly recalled Bowen impressively debuting on the Varsity, playing superb defense that forced their overwhelmed foe into plenty of mistakes. Wood’s club is 1-0 and next hosts ACIS rival UNIS (United Federations International School) January 6.

Giovino’s Lions Aim For Two Straight: Later today, Varsity Boys Coach Carmine Giovino’s Lions look to make it two in a row when they host the Calhoun Boys a day after the girls were routed. During an intense hour practice, the first-year bench boss reminded his club that they can’t afford any letdowns following an impressive two-point win over Friends Seminary.

Without starting point guard Joe Longo, who suffered a serious ankle injury in a blowout loss to Packer last Friday, the Lions will need to put up the same fight and consistency that they displayed in the gym Monday. They’ll need everyone to chip in including bigs Duncan Hardy and Max Jens, who combined for a perfect double screen that led to a critical bucket late by freshman Shane Pawley. It’s all about execution for BC. We’ll see if they’re up to the challenge with tip off set for 4 in Brooklyn.

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Lions hold off Friends Seminary

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PARK SLOPE, BK-Berkeley Carroll desperately needed a win. They got exactly what they needed, posting a courageous 49-47 victory over Friends Seminary in Varsity Boys hoops at the Athletic Center in Brooklyn Monday.

Minus starting point guard Joe Longo (ankle), the young Lions came together giving new coach Carmine Giovino his first ACIS win in three tries. It didn’t come easy but Berkeley Carroll fought off a strong second half from their Manhattan opponent, earning a two-point win.

After an ugly first quarter that saw them commit seven team fouls yet trail by only one, the Lions sprung to life in arguably their most spirited quarter of the season. Playing strong team defense and spreading the ball around, BC outscored Friends Seminary 14-2 to take a 25-14 lead into the half. Junior shooting guard Adam Kochman nailed three triples and Dondre Benson scored inside. Junior Cole Kitchen and Anthony Spina played strong defense and rebounded well.

The perimeter oriented Friends couldn’t buy a bucket in the second, misfiring wildly from three which helped the Park Slope hosts build a double digit lead. However, a more focused Seminary quickly ran off the first four points of the third quarter. Sandwiched around a bucket from BC freshman Shane Pearley, the guests set up a pair of treys for their best shooter, suddenly climbing within three. Giovino had seen enough, using a timeout to regroup his club.

Freshman starter Ian Miller responded with a big three after reentering. He’d also sink another from downtown with Friends hot on their heels. Timely buckets from Miller and Pearley who paced Berkeley Carroll with 15 kept Giovino’s crew in front. They went back up by seven but never could put away their pesky opponent.

Seminary charged hard in the final period, getting within a deuce. But every time they seemed poised to take control, Benson came to the Lions’ rescue with huge buckets. The junior forward dialed up from long distance twice and also hit inside, netting nine of his 13 in the fourth quarter. Leading 45-39 with a minute left, the Lions saw Friends nail a three to cut within three and use a timeout. Still up two after Seminary split a pair at the line, Giovino called a timeout to diagram a play. Reinserting bigs Duncan Hardy and Max Jens, he drew up a great double screen clearing space for Pearley, who scored on a driving hoop and was fouled. The first-year starter missed the freebie, allowing Seminary to hustle down and hit again from three.

But Pearley coolly sank both free throws, extending to 49-45. Following two Mike Andria misses, Friends went one-of-two to make it a three-point game. The Lions couldn’t ice it, allowing the Manhattan school one last chance. With 1.3 seconds left, they fouled one of Seminary’s best shooters on a three. But he missed the first free throw. After making the second, he intentionally missed the third but they were whistled for a line violation. When they threw long for Pearley who dribbled it out, the Lions had a much needed victory.

Berkeley Carroll (1-2 ACIS) won’t see Friends Seminary again until February 10, 2011. There figures to be a lot more at stake in two months. For now, the Lions won’t play another league game until next year when they host Brooklyn Friends 1/7 and then visit Staten Island Academy 1/8. They’ll aim for two in a row Wednesday against Calhoun, which closes the early part of the schedule.

JV Falls 40-36: In the first of the doubleheader, Walter Paller’s JV fell to Friends 40-36. A highly competitive game which went to Seminary late. Unfortunately, it wasn’t without controversy with Paller asking for time following a Friends’ miss from the line. They trailed 39-36 when Robert Graham launched a potential tying three which hit front rim, forcing them to foul with 2.2 seconds left.

An emotional Paller couldn’t believe the ref didn’t give him the timeout, which would’ve given them at least 4.5 seconds to set up a play. Instead, one Friends free throw made it academic. With a second hard luck loss in three games, the Lions fell to 0-3. They won’t return to action until the home double versus Brooklyn Friends on 1/7.

Freshman Jasper Kitchen scored 11, including a couple of three’s in defeat.

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Bailey’s 37 help BC win battle of Lions

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PARK SLOPE, BK- It was the battle of Lions literally. The Berkeley Carroll Lady Lions prevailed over Columbia Prepatory 68-48 yesterday at the Athletic Center in The Slope- posting their first home win of the season.

Senior forward Keyanka Bailey matched a career high with 37 points, including 22 in an inspired second half that saw BC pull away after a more competitive first half. Columbia Prep stayed right with the Lady Lions in a high scoring first quarter thanks to hot shooting from their floor leader. The teams exchanged leads before the Brooklyn hosts took a 17-14 lead into the second period.

Berkeley Carroll contended with a full court press thanks to senior point guard Tess Salvatore, freshman Sarah Paller and junior Olivia Wilson who each along with Bailey and Morgo Miller had little trouble getting up court. Miller scored all four of her points early off quick right baseline drives.

The Lady Lions spread the wealth with everyone contributing, including second-year starter Paller who notched 11, including a couple of treys.  Wilson scored on a couple of putbacks as BC hit the glass. In particular, Bailey who used her athleticism, taking rebounds and going coast to coast. A third quarter collision between Salvatore and a Columbia Prep player resulted in the senior guard being helped off the floor. The team led by 15. In the huddle, they chanted, “Tess.”

Sub Mia Kellman came in and banked in a three from the key almost immediately. Columbia Prep stayed within striking range but never could get it to single digits due to timely hoops from Bailey, who took over. Scoring on an array of drives, she controlled the tempo. With BC comfortably in front, third-year coach Morgan Sevigny gave some of her lesser experienced bench time late. While they struggled more with the press, it allowed the coach to use timeouts and set up plays.

The game also featured PA announcing from versatile Boys JV coach Walter Paller, who introduced lineups and provided entertaining commentary. The new feature has been used twice and could become prominent at the “Lions Den.”

Friday features a boys double with the JV and Varsity playing host to ACIS rival Packer. Start times are 4 PM and 5:30.

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UNIS provides heartache for Lions

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PARK SLOPE, BK-The first day at home didn’t go as planned for the Berkeley Carroll Lions. Looking for a good start to a new ACIS season, both the Boys JV and Varsity basketball teams lost in heartbreaking fashion yesterday at The Athletic Center in Park Slope.

In the opener, the JV fell 45-43. A seesaw battle went down to the wire thanks to Jasper Kitchen forcing their opponents into a turnover off the press. Kitchen finished with 11. He and Robert Graham helped build a seven-point third quarter lead but United Federation came back with a strong fourth, steering in front by four.

Walter Paller’s young chargers never gave up, going back ahead in the frantic closing seconds. But UNIS scored with 2.1 ticks left, forcing the JV coach to use his last timeout. Amazingly, they got a 75-foot desperation heave which was halfway down before falling out, allowing a relieved UNIS coach to exhale.

The second game was even better. After a sluggish start, first-year coach Carmine Giovino’s Varsity Lions settled in- chipping away at a nine-point deficit that UNIS build mostly on long distance bombs by their leading scorer who finished with 15 of his hame high22 in the first quarter.

Despite early foul trouble to junior floor leader Joe Longo and sloppy turnovers, the Lions hung around thanks to their new freshman Shane Pearley who paced them with 15, including a couple of big buckets down the stretch. They trailed by eight at the half.

Picking up the defensive intensity while closing out on UNIS’ main weapon, the Lions methodically fought all the way back. After being shutout in the first half, Longo sprung to life netting 10 of his 12 in a huge third quarter that got the crowd back in it. He hit a couple of tough runners and drained a trey, sparking the Lions.

It was anyone’s contest in the frantic fourth. With the Lions surging ahead by three, UNIS hung in thanks to help from their other perimeter option, who also drew fouls and hit from the line. The teams exchanged leads a few times. But when Mike Andria scored a put back, it looked like the Brooklyn hosts would pull it out. Strong defense allowed them to get the ball back. With an 11 second differential, they were denied by their determined opponent, who got the rebound and called for time.

The ball went to their best scorer, who got off a tough fadeaway runner from 17 feet which hit nothing but net as the clock ran out. He was mobbed by teammates as stunned Lions looked on.

There was little they could do. The defense was good but they got beat by a clutch shot. Ian Miller chipped in with 10.

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