GLENS FALLS – Once Anthony Hemingway’s double-clutch, last-second 3-pointer popped inside of the rim and out, it set off a massive celebration at halfcourt.
It wasn’t just any commemoration that followed Christ the King’s thrilling, 52-49 victory over Boys & Girls in the New York State Federation Class AA boys basketball final.
It was more like a coronation, Christ the King’s two teams -- the boys and girls – mixed together. They hopped up and down at center court like pogo sticks after completing a clean sweep for the first time in 29 years of Federation history. Just two hours earlier, the CK girls knocked off Sachem East, 73-67, in their ‘AA’ final.
“It’s a historic program and this is the apex of it,” boys coach Joe Arbitello said.
The two teams, who finished with identical 26-5 records, are particularly close. After the boys beat Bishop Loughlin in their intersectional title game, they rushed over to see the girls’ CHSAA Class AA state championship victory over St. Michael Academy instead of celebrating. This weekend, everything said revolved around winning both crowns.
“All we were talking about was making history,” said sophomore guard Omar Calhoun, who was named boys tournament MVP after scoring a game-high 20 points.
It wasn’t easy for either side. The boys, who won their first Federation title since 1989, blew a 10-point, t
