Bishop Loughlin stars Khadeen Carrington and Mike Williams realized as opponents that they were headed for their final game as teammates.
Williams said the two talked while competing on opposite travel teams at the Catholic Youth Program tournament in Port Chester last week about how the March 29 Mayor’s Cup boys’ basketball all-star game was their last go around together. The two made it a memorable one as they led the Catholic League to a 108–86 victory over their Public School counterparts last Saturday at City College.
The Seton Hall-bound Carrington scored 18 points and earned most valuable player honors. Williams, who is headed to Rutgers, chipped in 13 points. The two played three years together on the varsity.
“We were talking about how this was going to be our last time playing with each other ever so we have to put on a show,” Williams said.
The two and their Catholic League teammates toyed with defenses all game. Carrington attacked the basket at will and Williams connected on two long jumpers early in the game. Nazareth star Samson Usilo also added nine points. Carrington enjoyed the process of earning city bragging rights for his league.
“I think at the end of every season you have to take time off and play a couple of games so you can be yourself instead of playing under pressure,” he said.
He and Williams leave as two of Loughlin’s most successful players, despite never claiming an elusive city title —though they won the school’s first Brooklyn-Queens diocesan crown since 2008 this season, and reached a second-straight intersectional final.
Carrington, a four-year varsity player, is the Lions’ all-time leading scorer with 2,196 points. He averaged 24.2 points per game this season and was named the regular season’s most valuable player in the Catholic League. Williams is a 1,000-point scorer and left his mark as one of the city best shooters and defenders.
“It feels kind of weird that that was out last time we are playing together under the whistle,” Carrington said. “It was great while it lasted.”
The two were rivals just a few days earlier at the Catholic Youth Program tournament, as Carrington’s Gauchos team beat Williams’s The City squad. It was all in friendly fun. They will be opponents again in college, suiting up for New Jersey’s two best-known programs.
Williams said he would miss their relationship off the court as much as their chemistry on the hardwood. He will have to find someone new to be his close friend and steadying force at Rutgers. The two left something special behind at the Mayor’s Cup game.
“That’s my brother,” Williams said. “He’s like my older brother. He always makes sure I’m good. He always tells me to calm down on the court. I’m going to miss that.”
