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by Derek Felix

Lady Lions’ rally falls short in loss to Martin Luther

January 11, 2012 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- The effort was certainly there. But ultimately, it wasn’t enough for the Berkeley Carroll Lady Lions, whose rally fell short in a 60-50 loss to league rival Martin Luther.

A seesaw contest unfolded at the BC Athletic Center between two good teams. Martin Luther came out strong by scoring eight of the game’s first 10 points. Trailing 10-4, first-year coach Sydney Blumstein took an early 30-second timeout to regroup her club. It seemed to work with the Lady Lions responding with an 8-4 run to close the quarter. They were led by Morga Miller’s three steals and two baskets, including a nice score off a swipe that also drew a foul. She was unable to complete the three-point play.

Berkeley Carroll picked up the intensity in an improved second period. Their aggressive D forced Martin Luther into mistakes and some undisciplined shots. Senior captain Olivia Wilson scored half a dozen as the Lady Lions outscored their Queens opponent 14-8. They got solid D from Sarah Paller, whose steals and two buckets  helkped put her team in front 24-22 at intermission. Sophomore Olivia Saleh scored in transition and also made a nice pass for an easy Wilson finish.

However, Martin Luther turned it around with a 16-8 third that featured a 12-4 run to start. They were led by Octavia Campbell, who paced everyone with 20. She did most of her damage in the second half, getting 19 after intermission. Campbell was outstanding, taking advantage of sloppy BC mistakes for easy buckets while also hitting a trey from the right key. Her inspired play turned the game around. She scored more than half her team’s points, pacing them with nine in a strong third that saw Martin Luther take a six-point lead into the final stanza.

Two baskets from Wilson and a nice roll off a long two from Becca Bender kept Berkeley Carroll within striking distance as the third ended.

Early in the fourth, it looked like Martin Luther would pull away. They continued to get contributions from Campbell (10 in quarter) and teammate Lauren Nieves, who finished with 12. However, the Lady Lions weren’t done. Even with Wilson fouling out with still four and a half minutes left and BC on the ropes, Blumstein’s club fought valiantly.

Junior Mia Kellman caught fire from the outside. Having already sunk one three, she converted consecutive trifectas to pull the Lady Lions within 48-47. She scored nine of her 11 in the quarter- springing the bench to life as Martin Luther called for time.

Kellman also got help from Paller, who hit some timely hoops to keep BC alive. She finished with a team high 14, including eight in the fourth. However, a mistake on a critical possession didn’t help the Lady Lion’s chances. Trailing 52-50, Paller received a pass on an in bounds but wasn’t prepared for the pressure, turning the ball over.  Martin Luther cashed in with a lay-up to extend to 54-50.

Berkeley Carroll never came any closer. Five big points from Vanessa Richards salted it away. Martin Luther drew first blood with the rematch on their home court tomorrow at 4. It should be interesting.

Notes: Following the second meeting over four days with Martin Luther, the Lady Lions play host to Trevor Day as part of a double featuring the Varsity Men on Friday.

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by Derek Felix

JV depth too much for Leman

January 11, 2012 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- Depth played a role in the Berkeley Carroll JV Boys win over Leman Monday at the Lions Den. First-year coach Terrence Caufield’s Lions continued to roar by posting a 55-35 home win over the Manhattan school, who only had six players. They were missing two but gave BC a stiff challenge due to an experienced group led by Billy Byrne’s 14 points.

In fact, Berkeley Carroll fell behind 9-6 before turning the first quarter around thanks to an 11-0 run. Top scorer Izzy David netted 10 of the Lions’ 17 on some strong drives and free throws en route to a game high 15. After one, they led 17-9.

However, a sloppy second produced only two buckets and a slew of turnovers much to Caufield’s disgust. To Leman’s credit, they played superb defense, limiting David’s effectiveness while forcing him into a few miscues. Berkeley Carroll struggled with the pressure, throwing balls away while letting their opponent back in it. Not surprisingly, Leman controlled a low scoring stanza by outscoring BC 10-4 to trail by four at intermission. Only a late Chris Harper trey gave them some breathing space.

For much of the opening 16 minutes, the Lions’ shorthanded foe outhustled them to loose balls. That changed in the second half with the Lions paying more attention to detail. They also executed better thanks to outstanding efforts from David Colon and twin brother Andrew Colon. Both were instrumental in a quick 7-0 run that extended BC’s lead to 28-19. Each did most of the damage with David scoring 10 of his 11 after the break while Andrew had nearly an identical line, netting nine of 10 in the second half.

A high scoring third quarter saw Berkeley Carroll get back on track by outscoring Leman 21-13, extending from four to a 12-point lead (42-30). The Colon brothers got help from Zach Llewlyn, who scored eight in transition.

Caufield also used his bench, subbing in and out to keep players fresh. The strategy paid dividends with Joey Shapiro hitting a bucket while Matteo Heilbrun distributed the ball and played solid D.  For most of the contest, Leman hung around thanks to Byrne, who used his size and explosiveness to beat the Lions down the floor for easy lay-ins. He had help from Jordan Wright (8) and Daniel Blatto (5).

Leman finally wore down in the final quarter. Limited to just five, they couldn’t maintain BC’s fast pace. With both Colons scoring off steals and Kyle Graber scoring inside, Berkeley Carroll pulled away for another win.

Notes: The JV hosts Dwight tomorrow at 4 followed by the Varsity in a big clash at 5:30.

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by Derek Felix

Second half surge pushes Lions past Brooklyn Friends

January 7, 2012 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- One of the areas Berkeley Carroll needs to improve on is consistency. Especially if they want to succeed this season. It was a point senior captain Adam Kochman emphasized following a strong second half that pushed the Lions past ACIS league rival Brooklyn Friends, 54-40 yesterday at the Lions Den.

Early on, it looked a bit too easy for Berkeley Carroll, who used a 9-0 run to go ahead by seven. A big part of the afternoon was sophomore guard Ian Miller, who caught fire from the outside- netting a pair of treys in a seesaw first quarter en route to a game high 21 points. It was a strong response to a foul plagued game in a three-point win Wednesday over Staten Island Academy. Miller passed the six he had in the game’s first few minutes.

However, Brooklyn Friends turned it around following a timeout with a 9-0 run of their own to go in front by two in what amounted to a high scoring first quarter. The Brooklyn rivals combined for 38 total points with each playing at a frenetic pace. To say defense was non-existant would be an understatement. Friends was led by lanky big man Jared Long, who terrorized the Park Slope hosts under the basket by converting second and third chances. He scored 10 of his team best 16 in the opening half while crashing the boards for a double/double.

Berkeley Carroll also got help from junior forward Dondre Benson, who hit for all eight in the first half on an array of floaters. With leading scorer Shane Pearley held in check, the Lions needed a balanced attack to turn back Brooklyn Friends. Pearley finished with 11 but took his lumps against the bigger Long, whose hard foul forced the sophomore from the game. In his place, Jasper Kitchen stepped up and sank a pair of free throws while providing a lift.

The second stanza was predictably sloppy with neither team able to match the early intensity. It led to plenty of turnovers and wild action, which couldn’t have pleased third-year Lions’ coach Carmine Giovino. After a Miller long jumper in the final minute helped keep his team ahead 28-25 at the half, he and his assistant Reed discussed strategy, Berkeley Carroll came out and executed the game plan.

Giovino changed tactics by shifting to a zone to offset Long’s effectiveness. In particular, strong defensive work from starter Duncan Hardy and senior Mike Andria helped turn the tide. Both played with ferocity, pushing Long away from the bucket and rebounding with poise. Along with Kochman, they forced Long into some wild shots, frustrating the junior into fouls. With Brooklyn Friends unable to capitalize from the perimeter, they struggled mightily from the field.

It helped explain a 14-4 third quarter in favor of the Lions, who increased their lead to 42-29. Giovino inserted Will Reagen, who didn’t disappoint. Playing with the kind of energy necessary, his hustle and defensive work led to steals. Reagen also chipped in with a couple of timely baskets off strong drives. Kochman also sprung to life with a corner three that got the bench up.

Another key contributor was Josiah Murrell, whose size and hustle made life difficult on Long. Giovino’s strategy paid off with everyone getting involved. Leading by 13, the Lions never let Brooklyn Friends get close. Some timely hooping by Miller and Pearley along with three Kochman free throws allowed Berkeley Carroll to breathe easy.

Combined with a successful tournament win at Loyola during the break, the Lions have won five in a row since senior Joe Longo’s ankle injury. Longo hinted that he might return by next Friday for Trevor Day. That would only be a boost for a team that’s worked itself into contention. A big test comes next Thursday versus Dwight.

JV rolls past Brooklyn Friends: It was another good day for first-year coach Terrence Caufield’s Boys JV, who were too much for Brooklyn Friends to handle- winning handily 63-23. Izzy David paced the Lions with 14 while starters Chris Harper and David C contributed seven and six respectively.

Danny McCormick came off the bench for 13 and Matteo Heilbrun added 10 as the JV improved to 4-0 in league play. They’ll host Claremont Prep Monday followed by the Varsity Ladies, who aim for their second straight following a blowout win at Evangel Christian.

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by Derek Felix

Defense keys three-point win over Tigers

January 6, 2012 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- For most of Wednesday’s first game of the new calendar year, ACIS league rivals Berkeley Carroll and Staten Island Academy were back and forth. The hotly contested Varsity Boys basketball game at the BC Athletic Center in Brooklyn featured runs from each squad. However, it was the Lions finally getting third-year coach Carmine Giovino’s message by stepping up their intensity in the defensive end that led to a 53-50 win.

Even with outside threat Ian Miller (a pair of treys in first half) saddled with four fouls on the bench, Berkeley Carroll turned it around following a dismal third quarter that saw them fall behind by as much as six. It was a team effort with only leading scorer Shane Pearley hitting double figures with a game high 20 while the rest of his teammates chipped in for an important league win.

While Pearley did his part inside and out, sophomore shooting guard Jasper Kitchen provided the spark with strong defense and timely scoring. His two three’s were part of a 9-0 run to open the fourth quarter. Super sub Adam Kochman also made a nifty backdoor feed for a Duncan Hardy lay-in as Coach Giovino watched his team compose themselves down the stretch. Kitchen got all eight in the second half and older brother Cole Kitchen had some big steals and rebounds to go with two buckets.

The Tigers had three players in double digits led by James Morisano’s 15. He did most of his damage in the first half, hurting Berkeley Carroll in the paint. Morisano would also get flustered in the final stanza due to the Lions’ aggression, which caused a couple of charges. Morisano had help from guard Alex Morbano, who sliced and diced his way to 13 while Lionel Greene contributed 11, including consecutive fouls on Miller which sidelined him.

Giovino did a solid job using Hardy and Mike Andria to offset Morisano’s inside edge. Both played strong D and hustled. The Lions got eight from Dondre Benson, who hit one runner that answered a Staten Island Academy hoop.

Despite the 9-zip run, BC still had to hold off SIA, who got two three’s to make things interesting. But they got enough free throws including one from Benson to pull it out.

JV romp: In JV action, the Lions soared past SIA 54-19. They were led by Izzy David’s 13, all coming in the first half. Chris Harper added 12 and Danny McCormick had eight.

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by Derek Felix

Defense keys Lion win over Friends Seminary

December 14, 2011 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- Defense wins championships. More importantly for the Berkeley Carroll Lions, it helped them to an important home win over league rival Friends Seminary- posting a 63-53 victory to enter the Christmas break on the right foot.

Second-year coach Carmine Giovino was pleased with a superb team effort over the defending ACIS champs, who showed some growing pains after a quick start. Minus starter Joe Longo, Giovino inserted senior captain Adam Kochman into the lineup. He didn’t disappoint finishing with eight, including four big free throws down the stretch that helped put away Friends Sem.

“I stepped up and hit my free throws. This was the best game we’ve played,” the always loquacious Kochman said afterwards of his team’s effort.

Leading scorer Shane Pearley netted more than half his club best 23 following intermission. The super sophomore hurt Friends Seminary with an array of shots inside and out, including a nice steal and finish that allowed the Park Slope hosts to build a double digit lead in response to a nice surge from the mid-Manhattan school during the first part of the third quarter.

The Lions had taken control late in the first half and led 27-19 at intermission. They got solid contributions from Josiah Murrell , who replaced foul plagued starter Dondre Benson, and played huge minutes in the middle portion. Murrell did a sound defensive job on Friends Sem’s big man Joe Pucci, who scored his team’s first 13.  The versatile junior sliced and diced his way to a game high 26. However, Murrell and teammates made life difficult on him in the second half by taking away time and space.

“The defense won us the game. We really got after it and rebounded well,” Pearley pointed out. “It was the best defense we played all year.“

Giovino saw his team outwork their opponents by getting to loose balls and closing out against Friends’ other perimeter threats. They also were aggressive offensively, getting the second option in foul trouble, which limited his effectiveness. The attention to detail wasn’t lost on Pearley, who exploded for 11 in the final half of the third following a 10-2 Friends run that tied it at 29.

“We know that every team’s gonna make a run. We came out ready to play. We made some mistakes. We played some strong defense to get some rebounds to get out of it,” the Lions’ high man added.

BC’s response showed poise as they finished the quarter with a 16-4 run to maintain a 45-33 lead enterting the final stanza. Senior guard Cole Kitchen immediately replied with a trey from the left wing that put his team ahead for good. Kitchen, who has battled injuries and fought hard to come back- had his best game. He contributed timely hoops en route to nine point and stellar D, including a few steals that aided the Lions’ cause. Coming off a frustrating outing versus Packer, it had to be satisfying.

Friends Seminary didn’t go away in the fourth, getting a long three off a double screen to crawl within eight. However, it just wasn’t enough due to Berkeley Carroll’s attention to detail. Aside from great D, they made life difficult on their opponent by rebounding well and holding them to one possession. In contrast, the Lions hit the glass and got to loose balls for key resets. It was the kind of basketball that wins.

Sophomore Ian Miller finished strong with 10 of his 14 in the final eight, including six-for-six at the charity stripe. Everyone got involved, including Duncan Hardy, who gave Giovino a solid effort on the glass with Benson on the bench.  Murrell also had a sweet theft and lay-in off BC’s press.

It all translated to Berkeley Carroll’s best win of the season. Exactly what the doctor ordered for Giovino with his team now off until the Loyola Tournament. They don’t return home until Wednesday, January 4, 2012 for a meeting with nemesis Staten Island Academy. All part of a hectic month.

Note: Giovino inserted freshman Richie Palacios into the game late so he could get his first Varsity point. It came on a free throw, prompting a nice reaction.

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by Derek Felix

Lions fall to Pelicans

December 13, 2011 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- Whenever Berkeley Carroll and league rival Packer get together, it’s usually entertaining. On Friday, the Lions fell short to the Pelicans 66-55 in a game of runs at a packed BC Athletic Center.

Early on, it was back and forth with each school trading buckets. However, the Pelicans began to pull away thanks to the stellar play of sophomore forward Ethan Feldman. Feldman sliced and diced the Lions for a game high 26 points. Many came in the opening half with Packer taking control due to some cold shooting from the Park Slope hosts. They broke open a one-point game with a 10-0 runthat steered them ahead 25-17. Before second-year coach Carmine Giovino knew it, his team trailed 31-21 at intermission.

In particular, Ian Miller struggled from the perimeter and leading scorer Shane Pearley didn’t get going until the second half when things got interesting. Senior guard Joe Longo also was quiet in the early going before helping lead a second half charge. Unfortunately, it was a bit of deja vu for the unlucky five-year starter, who reinjured the same ankle that cost him most of his junior season. At a critical time with his team within striking distance, Longo was forced out due to a collision. He iced the ankle, which originally was injured versus Packer against Packer around the same time at the Lions Den.

Longo’s misfortune certainly didn’t hurt Packer, who also had the benefit of some awfully generous calls from a less than adequate ref. The Lions had a few whistles go against them, including a missed charge that resulted in Miller’s fourth before the fourth quarter. There also was a regrettable call in which the trailer counted a critical Pelican hoop after the third quarter buzzer that stretched Packer’s lead to 49-38.

Prior, the Lions picked it up in the third quarter thanks to Miller and Pearley. A pair of treys from Miller sliced a 15-point lead to nine getting them back in it. Packer coach George Butis quickly called for time. Thanks to a couple of timely hoops from Jake Shapiro and Daniel Chin (14 Pts), the Pelicans carried momentum into the final stanza. Berkeley Carroll turned up the head in the fourth with Pearley and Longo stepping up. Both were instrumental defensively, with steals and big buckets that drew BC within five. Everytime they seemed ready to take over, someone from Packer made a big play to keep them afloat. Nick Morton was a third Pelican in double digits with 11, including a couple of nice finishes. They also had a distinct advantage at the line due to all the fouls. It certainly wasn’t the best officiated game.

Longo’s loss was felt down the stretch as the Lions were forced to foul after Cole Kitchen’s trey was off. Feldman and Co. sealed it at the line.

Notes: Pearley netted 14 of his team-leading 21 after the break while Adam Kochman chipped in five. Dondre Benson was held to nine with five in the first half.

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by Derek Felix

Lady Lions’ rally falls short in defeat to Friends Seminary

December 7, 2011 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- Sometimes, a lesson can be learned when you lose early on. That was probably the case yesterday for first-year Berkeley Carroll ladies hoops coach Sydney Blumstein, whose Lady Lions dug themselves a huge hole they couldn’t get out of. Despite a valiant second half effort, Berkeley Carroll fell to ACIS league rival Friends Seminary 37-29 at the Lions’ Den in Brooklyn.

Similar to the Mens Varsity a day before, the Lady Lions came out sluggish against a young opponent who took full advantage, building a 17-point lead at intermission. Much of it was attributed to high scorer Dana Burger, who accounted for 15 of the Manhattan school winners’ 37. The feisty guard hurt BC in transition, doing most of her damage in the opening 16 minutes.

Burger got help from teammates Sammy (8 Pts) and Ruvi, who came off the bench for six. Friends Seminary exploited a size edge inside which led to chaos for Blumstein’s squad, who allowed second and third chances. Part of the problem was senior captain Olivia Wilson, who ran into foul trouble. Not the biggest forward, she makes up for it with aggressiveness, fighting for every loose ball. With Wilson on the bench following a third early foul that also saw her hobbled, Berkeley Carroll struggled mightily.

The only consistent offense came from sophomore shooting guard Becca Bender, who connected on a pair of treys in the first half before going ice cold from the perimeter. Time and again, she was left open by Friends Seminary, who focused on shutting down Sarah Paller. Paller was held in check with six while Bender paced the Lady Lions with eight and Mia Kellman contributed seven.

Following a close first quarter, Friends Seminary began to build a lead thanks to the heady play of Burger, who got her teammates involved.  When she wasn’t distributing, she was finishing near the bucket. Meanwhile, the BC lived and died with Bender, who had plenty of chances to score from beyond the arc. However, like most inexperienced players, she couldn’t maintain it. With the paint blocked and both Paller and Kellman off, Bender fired away without much luck.

Blumstein wasn’t helped by a questionable call on Wilson for her fourth early in the second half. By that point, her team trailed 26-9. A more determined group returned to the court, making life much tougher for Burger and Friends Sem. Forcing turnovers and ill advised shots, the Lady Lions chipped away by outscoring their opponent 9-1 in the third quarter.

Paller hit a big three during the run which helped slice the deficit to nine entering the final stanza. In the fourth, they got even closer thanks to Kellman coming alive with a three and another bucket for five of her seven. Olivia Saleh came off the bench and contributed hard nosed D and couple of timely hoops in transition.

Playing with four fouls, Wilson took the ball away and went coast to coast for a hoop that suddenly put her team within four. She would foul out with over two minutes left, leaving it to an equally young team to try to come all the way back.

However, Friends Seminary replied back with consecutive buckets to steer ahead by eight. The Lady Lions weren’t done with Kellman and Bender each hitting quick two’s to once again pull them within four with enough time left. The defense gave them opportunities. However, Bender misfired on a three and wild two, which spelled the end.

Friends Sem finally salted it away with a bucket and then held on for an eight-point victory, dealing BC (3-1) their first loss.

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by Derek Felix

Second half spurt boosts Lions past United Federations

December 6, 2011 in Articles, Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- It was a tale of two halfs for the Berkeley Carroll Varsity Men’s basketball team. Trailing by as much as 13, a huge spurt allowed the Lions to pull out an exciting come from behind 62-51 victory over United Federations yesterday at the BC Athletic Center.

Shane Pearley scored 20 of his game high 24 in the final 16 minutes and Ian Miller netted 10 of 14 after intermission to help second-year coach Carmine Giovino’s squad post an important early win. In particular, the play of Pearley allowed the Park Slope hosts to recover quickly. The second-year starter scored inside and out to recover from a sluggish start. In fact, the whole team struggled in the first half.

The Lions and UNIS played a low scoring first stanza in which both clubs failed to find the basket. BC let an early lead slip away with too many clanks from the outside. It continued in a dreadful second quarter that saw the guests methodically build a six-point halftime lead thanks to the play of Christian Do Sario, who slashed his way to 11 points. Despite pacing his team with 19, he was defended better following the break.

It didn’t turn around right away as UNIS extended to a 13-point cushion by outworking Berkeley Carroll. Do Sario had help from Chris Wint, who chipped in with a dozen, including a conventional three-point play late that kept his team afloat. Foul trouble on both sides forced the coaches to make adjustments. But it was Giovino’s five-man unit of Pearley, Miller,  Dondre Benson, Josiah Murrell and super sub Adam Kochman that swung the momentum.

Starter Joe Longo got it started with a steal midway through the third before being subbed for by Miller. Though the senior leader was limited to a bucket, his intensity got a pat from Coach Giovino, who appreciated the heady guard’s effort. Perhaps it rubbed off on Miller, whose 5-0 run ignited the Lions. Having one of his worst shooting games, the sophomore guard scored on a lay-up and then converted a steal into a three-point play, which got the bench up.

“That was big,” Miller said afterwards. “Kinda the whole team turned it around. It started before that.”

Back in it, BC responded with chaotic pressure defense that forced United Federations into some undisciplined turnovers. That’s when Pearley took over finishing with 10 in the quarter as the Lions suddenly climbed within two. Kochman also was instrumental with a big three from the corner and a couple of free throws, along with aggressive D.

Pearley and Miller each picked up four fouls early in the fourth but there was no way they were coming out. Giovino alerted them and they responded with maturity. After a bucket by Do Sario, the Lions went ahead 43-41. They eventually increased it to six before Wint took the ball strong for a finish and hit a free throw to slice it to three. But BC stayed ahead with Benson draining a right baseline jumper.

The Lions outscored UNIS 41-24 in the second half. They never relinquished the lead. Miller finally got a trey to go and Pearley scored down the stretch as Berkeley Carroll pulled away. Forced to foul, UNIS watched the Lions hit from the charity stripe, which sealed a hard fought comeback victory.

JV Routs UNIS: In the first game, the JV Boys routed UNIS 84-38. They were led by Izzy David’s game high 31. It was their third win under new coach Terrence Caufield.

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by Derek Felix

Leadership and depth key for Lions

December 2, 2011 in Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK- A year ago, the Berkeley Carroll Men’s Varsity Basketball team had no seniors. Despite a roster that included mainstays Joe Longo and Cole Kitchen, they struggled just to make the ACIS playoffs. Injuries played a role with both Longo and Kitchen hurt all year with the four-year starting point guard missing significant time. This year, Longo has recovered from a broken rib and is ready to go along with Kitchen, who’ll lead a much more experienced squad into ’11-12.

A senior oriented group that features Adam Kochman, Mike Andria and Duncan Hardy should provide leadership for second-year coach Carmine Giovino, who also boasts depth thanks to sophomores Shane Pearley and Ian Miller. Both can score the ball with Miller a long-range threat while Pearley is more explosive off the dribble, creating mismatches. Dondre Benson also returns for his final season, giving the Lions an athletic player who can make tough shots and hit the offensive glass.

Giovino’s pesky bunch looks primed for a good winter. To hear Kochman enthusiastically say, “If we beat St. Ann’s, we’re going all the way.” Of course, the second-year coach replied with the usual they have to get better following Tuesday’s scrimmage against Marta Valle.  His team did some nice things in the five quarters with Longo shifting to the two thanks to the emergence of freshman Richie Cunningham. The mighty mite can motor and make you pay from downtown. He should be worth watching.

Berkeley Carroll also have three new additions from a JV team that learned under baseball coach Walter Paller. Cole’s brother Jasper Kitchen should provide a spark off the bench along with Will Regan and big man Josiah Murrell. Remarkably, they could’ve boasted even more depth if Anthony Spina and Max Jens hadn’t passed up hoops for baseball. Both were solid players last year for Giovino in a rebuilding season. Ironically, Jens will have a bird’s eye view of the action at the Lions den in Park Slope, running the scoreboard alongside official scorer Derek Felix.

Who knows what lies ahead? If the Lions’ 57-38 win over Little Red School Of Elisabeth Irwin High is any indication, they could be in for a resurgence. Especially if Longo and the older Kitchen stay on the court. In the road win, Cole and Pearley combined for 37 of the team’s 57. Berkeley Carroll visited Long Island Lutheran yesterday in a doubleheader with the BC Lady Lions, who tried to make it two for two.

Notes: The JV Boys head to Columbia this afternoon for the first round of the Martin Luther Tournament with it concluding this weekend. The JV will split up this season due to numbers with both clubs in action Monday with one at Browning School and the other part of a home double with the Varsity Lions hosting United Nations. The first game goes off at 4. The Lady Lions hit the road for Claremont Prep.

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by Derek Felix

Lady Lions roll past LREI in season opener

November 29, 2011 in Berkeley Carroll

PARK SLOPE, BK-In many aspects, it’s a new beginning for the Berkeley Carroll women’s basketball program. Without former starters Keyanka Bailey and Tess Salvatore, the Lady Lions are now led by lone senior Olivia Wilson along with returning starters Sarah Paller and Morgo Miller.

That’s not the only change with a new coach at the helm in Sydney Blumstein, who takes over for Morgan Sevigny, who went into her own personal fitness business. In their first challenge of many, the Berkeley Carroll Varsity Lady Lions were successful yesterday in their season opener- posting a 52-37 win over Little Red School House And Elisabeth Irwin High School at the winner’s gym in Park Slope.

Coach Sidney got solid efforts from all six players with each contributing on the stat sheet. Led by Wilson’s 12 along with game high 22 rebounds and eight steals, the Lady Lions sported three in double figures, including Paller finishing with 12 while Miller netted 11 in the 15-point home win.

Despite playing six, BC got out of the gate quickly by scoring the game’s first seven before LREI got untracked. First-year starter Becca Bender scored all five of her points in the opening quarter. She knocked down a three and also hit a long two to help boost the Lady Lions, who led most of the way.

To the Manhattan school’s credit, they fought hard with a strong second stanza that featured a lot of whistles, turnovers and jump balls. LREI was led by the supreme effort of Jacey, who paced everyone with 18 while teammate Lily added 10. The dynamic duo combined for 28 of their 37, doing most of their damage in transition where they cashed in on some sloppy play from BC. Along with improved defense, they turned around the first half even edging ahead by a deuce with a couple of minutes left. However, the play of Miller was instrumental with the third-year Lady Lion hitting consecutive tough shots to put her team up by four at the break.

Whatever was said at intermission worked because Berkeley Carroll made a nice adjustment in a dominant third quarter that saw them outscore LREI 16-6 to steer ahead by 14 with eight minutes left. Paying closer attention to Jacey with emphasis from Coach Blumstein not to give her room, the Lady Lions forced a slew of turnovers and converted them in transition thanks to the aggressive ball-hawking style of senior leader Wilson. Olivia scored 10 of her 12 during a run that featured some nifty passing with her and Miller working textbook give-and-gos for easy finishes.

The play was contagious with second-year Lady Lion Olivia Saleh stepping up as a valuable sixth man by scoring on a putback and also during a break. She did a good job on the glass, providing a lift. She also hit a pair of free throws to finish with six as did junior starter Mia Kellman, who got her half dozen towards the hoop. Paller spread her 12 out highlighted by a couple of nice runners. The third-year starter played an all around game, scoring, rebounding and staying composed.

Trailing by 14, LREI never gave up. They methodically whittled it down to six by scoring  eight of the first 10 in the fourth quarter. But when the chips were down, Miller answered with another timely hoop as did her teammates. Paller and Kellman also were involved as BC closed it out 12-2 to earn their first win of 2011-12.

Boys To Scrimmage Tuesday: Both the Boys JV and Varsity will host scrimmages at the BC Athletic Center later today. The JV faces Global Studies while a senior oriented Varsity Lions tests Marta Valle High with action set for 4.

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