1998 was the last time the Father Judge High School basketball team won the Catholic League championship. Now, they’ve done it again.
Behind 10 points from Kevair Kennedy, the high-scoring Crusaders muscled through a gritty, defensive battle at the Palestra, taking down two-time defending champion Roman Catholic 41-34.
A slow start put the Crusaders in a 10-0 hole, and they finished the first quarter down 10-2. But they clawed back with a balanced scoring attack and a relentless defensive effort, led by senior Everett Barnes, to grind out the win.
Junior Max Moshinski stepped up off the bench, chipping in eight points. At the same time, junior Derrick Morton-Rivera added nine, including a crucial basket in the paint to reclaim the lead after a Roman Catholic surge. The Cahillites were paced by sophomore Tyler Sutton, who poured in a game-high 20 points, and senior Shareef Jackson, who dominated the boards with 11 rebounds.
Judge took control in the second half, with Kennedy’s late-game composure at the free-throw line sealing the victory. Barnes was a defensive force, finishing with six blocked shots to go along with his four rebounds. Junior Rocco Westfield delivered the dagger, draining a clutch three-pointer in the fourth quarter that kept Roman at bay.
Judge had already dismantled top-seeded St. Joseph’s Prep in the semifinals. The Crusaders, led by head coach and 1999 alum Chris Roantree, have built their success on unselfish play and defensive toughness, and now they’re reaping the rewards.
The Crusaders won’t have long to savor the win, with powerhouse Imhotep waiting in the District XII 6A Championship on Friday at La Salle University. Another test awaits, but for now, the team can savor a championship that was 26 years in the making.
