Crusaders stellar in win

TROY — The Catholic Central boys’ basketball team, one day removed from recording a 21-point victory over Class AAA foe Bishop Ludden, showed raising the level of its play was not difficult on a Sunday afternoon.

Sophomore stars Darien Moore and Sei’Mir Roberson took turns dissecting Our Lady of Lourdes just like the CCHS duo did Saturday against the Gaelic Knights. The Crusaders’ star tandem produced 62 points in leading their team to an 85-50 victory at La Salle’s Martin Luther King Tournament.

CCHS (10-1 overall) is ranked No. 3 in Class A and Our Lady of Lourdes (9-1) is rated No. 14 in Class AA. The tone was set by the Crusaders during the opening quarter as OLL made just 1-of-8 shots and turned it over 10 times in falling behind 21-6 through eight minutes of action.

“It was a good feeling. We are still really trying to find our way as we’re young but we’re starting to come together,” said Roberson, who finished with a season-high 30 points.

“We have to come out with that energy every time,” Moore said.

CCHS coach Guy DiBacco believed his squad’s 10th straight win following a season-opening loss against Colonie was the Crusaders’ best effort this season.

“The ball moved and we shot it well,” DiBacco said. “When we get touches, we play with more energy. These guys have been together for three years. They are having fun.”

Moore, who led all scorers with 32 points, registered four mammoth dunks. His second jam of the game concluded the first half in transition, providing the Crusaders a 41-19 advantage.

When CCHS captured the Section II Class B title and reached the state final in March, Moore, Roberson and Qwameik Smith were in their second year as starters. That trio this season is joined in the starting lineup by junior forward Adrian Mallory and freshman guard Julien Haas. Those five, along with sophomore reserve guard Xaul Arroyo, helped extend the lead to 67-33 through three quarters.

Roberson, who pumped in 28 points Saturday in a 73-52 decision over Bishop Ludden, sandwiched a pair of 3-pointers around one made by Moore to conclude the third quarter.

“I feel like my shooting was on point,” Roberson said. “My teammates were finding me for wide-open shots.”

“This was a great weekend for him and hopefully this continues,” DiBacco said.

“When he plays like that, we’re all having fun, we’re cheering for him and it opens up the game for everybody,” Moore said.

Defensively, the Crusaders forced 22 turnovers as they trapped effectively in the half court.

“When we are that active, we speed guys up,” DiBacco said.

Our Lady of Lourdes was further hindered Sunday having to play without senior star Patrick Faughnan, a Class A third team all-state selection in 2023, who suffered a torn ACL against La Salle Saturday. Zachary Hart, a 6-foot-7 senior post player, paced Our Lady of Lourdes with 23 points.

CCHS sits atop of the Colonial Council standings. The two wins posted at the Martin Luther King Tournament certainly enhance a quality resume. The season-opening loss against Colonie at Siena College clearly got the team’s attention.

“I think that loss made us work 10 times harder in practice,” Roberson said. “I think the hunger level is up there with last year. We want to get another championship. That is what we are really striving for.”

“I definitely think it helped us,” Moore said. “I feel like that loss made us more hungry and focused.”