By Ed Farrell
Herald Assistant Sports Editor
SLIPPERY ROCK -- Like a boxer standing in the arena, the Kennedy Catholic High boys basketball team seldom smiled Friday night. And even though the Golden Eagles exited Slippery Rock University’s Morrow Field House with the program’s 12th consecutive District 10 crown, KC has its eyes on the prize.
“I’m looking for the bigger prize right now. It was a good for us, but we’ve got to worry about what’s down the road,” 3rd-year Kennedy head coach Marlon McGaughy related following his club’s 67-53 victory over VisionQuest, clinching Kennedy’s 20th district crown.
“A district championship is nice and everything, but we’ve got one goal in mind this year, and that’s a state championship. This is just one of the steps in the process,” related senior standout Kyle Randall, who recorded a game-high 34 points.
After KC claimed a 21-17 first-quarter lead, VisionQuest’s Dominique Parker punched in a triple at the buzzer, enabling the Eagles to edge within 36-33 by the break. However Randall responded with 9 third-period points and 6-foot-6 post D’Aundra Jones jostled his way to 4 rebounds and several blocked and/or altered shots. Consequently, VQ connected on only 4 of 22 field-goal tries during the period, and the Eagles entered the 4th frame on the short end of a 52-41 deficit. VisionQuest’s deficit never drew closer than double digits for the duration.
Randall (1,888) is within reach of becoming only the 4th Mercer County male cager (6th overall) to annex 1,900 career points. He also added a half-dozen rebounds and dished out 3 assists Friday night.
“Always something to prove,” Randall, giving in to a grin, related. “We like that underdog mentality, so we just come out and play hard all game, win the game, get out and get ready for the next game.”
Also for Kennedy Catholic (22-2), Phil Kaikis connected for 2 triples and ended with 11 points, and Jones jerked down a game-high 10 caroms and blocked 9 shots, Rocky Farmartino snared 7 rebounds and he and Michael Klaric evenly split an additional 12 points, and Jesse Hardin handed out 4 assists and chipped in 4 points.
KC connected on 26 of 52 (50 percent) floor shots and converted 10 of 14 free throws (71.4), and Kennedy committed 13 miscues. Led by Jones, the Golden Eagles ended with a 40-33 edge on the glass.
“That’s what I’m here for,” the soft-spoken Jones said regarding his rebounding contribution, adding, “and that’s what I love to do -- block shots.”
After back-to-back Class A western regional championship game setbacks, McGaughy, Randall, et al, are focused on the PIAA playoffs. Regarding his Golden Eagles’ preseason goals, McGaughy gave a hint: “This is just one of our goals, but I’m looking at the bigger picture ... a state championship, hopefully.”
Echoed Randall, “Anything less than a state championship just isn’t right.”
Notes: For VisionQuest (15-9), Kareem Shaw scored 23 points and snared 7 rebounds and Khayree Harrison had another 13 points. ... coach Rolland “Bay” Lawrence’s Eagles ended 22 for 68 (32.3) from the field -- just 8 of 33 after intermission -- and made only 6 turnovers. VQ got to the line only 8 times, also.
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DISTRICT 10
CLASS A CHAMPIONSHIP
VISIONQUEST 17 16 8 12 53
KENNEDY 21 15 16 15 67
VISION QUEST — Harrison 5-1-2-13, Shaw 11-0-0-23, Justiano 0-0-0-0, Peterson 1-0-0-2, Parker 2-0-2-6, C. Jackson 1-0-0-2, Williams 0-0-0-0, Patterson 1-0-0-2, Young 1-22-2-5, Beasley 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Harrison 2, Parker 2, Shaw 1, Young 1. Totals: 22-3-6-53.
KENNEDY CATHOLIC — Randall 14-4-6-34, Kaikis 4-1-1-11, Jones 2-0-0-4, Farmartino 2-2-3-6, Klaric 1-3-4-6, Penn 1-0-0-2, Cianci 0-0-0-0, Hardin 2-0-0-4, Yatsko 0-0-0-0, Vetica 0-0-0-0. 3-pt. goals: Randall 2, Kaikis 2, Klaric 1. Totals: 26-10-14-67.
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