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Loughlin stars reach milestones in victory over St. Francis Prep

Loughlin stars reach milestones in victory over St. Francis Prep
Photo by Elizabeth Graham

Bishop Loughlin’s Khadeen Carrington and Mike Williams were both nearing milestones heading into their home opener, and they wanted to achieve them together.

The Seton Hall-bound Carrington came into the game against St. Francis Prep on Dec. 17 closing in on becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer, as Williams was even closer to scoring his 1,000th point.

The backcourt duo got their wish — and their scoring marks — during a 79–65 victory over the Terriers in Catholic High School Athletic Association Class AA boys’ basketball.

“This is a big moment for the school and for both of us,” Carrington said. “I never heard of two players getting 1,000 points and becoming the all-time leading scorer at the same time and the same game. That’s a big accomplishment.”

The Rutgers-bound Williams, a three-year varsity player, scored his 1,000th point on a put back in the third quarter. He needed 13 points for the mark and scored 18 in the game.

Carrington, who played varsity as a freshman, broke JayVaughn Pinkston’s mark of 1,643 by scoring a game-high 28 points to give him 1,645 for his career. His final hoop was a dunk off a steal with 1:31 to go in the game.

Both times the game was stopped and the players were given commemorative basketballs.

“We told each other we should get our milestones together at home in front of our family an friends and for us to win was a bonus,” said Williams, who is playing with plantar fasciitis.

The first player to congratulate Williams was Carrington. Williams told him it was his turn now and started counting down Carrington’s points to Lions coach Ed Gonzalez, who at the time was focused on securing a hard-fought win.

“They support each other,” Gonzalez said.

Carrington said he started the game trying to feed Williams and get him going toward his goal. When it happened, he then knew it was going to be his turn. Carrington found himself trying too hard early in the fourth quarter and was taken out by Gonzalez to refocus. He said it worked and he went on to score four-straight points to secure his place in history.

“I guess I was going too hard,” Carrington said.

Gonzalez said it was fitting for both milestones to occur on the some night and for these particular players. Williams and Carrington were loyal to Loughlin when others player transferred out after their sophomore years. They stayed a helped push Loughlin, which lost in the Catholic league final last season, back among the elite team in the city.

“It’s a great feeling because he is like my brother,” Williams said. “I want us to succeed.”

Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.
Bishop Loughlin’s Khadeen Carrington, left, broke the school record of 2,000 points scored, and Michael Williams scored his 1,000th point during Dec. 14’s game.
Photo by Elizabeth Graham