Getting back on the court in his sophomore year turned out to be a win-lose proposition for Christopher Benjamin.
The Brooklyn Community Arts and Media senior center lost 100 pounds — and won a city championship.
“It was a terrific decision,” he said.
Benjamin scored 14 points and earned most-valuable-player honors in a 47–44 victory for the top-seeded Lions over the defending champion, No. 6 Fannie Lou Hamer, in the Public School Athletic League Class B boys’ basketball final at Long Island University last Saturday. He wept on the bench and was mobbed by his teammates when he was named the game’s best player. His coach knew he earned it.
“I feel so grateful for this kid,” sixth-year Lions coach Lawanda Greene said. “He worked hard and he’s a big giant. He deserves it.”
It was Greene who pulled the 6-foot-3 Benjamin out of the school cafeteria and back to the court. Benjamin — then over 300 pounds — had been dismissed from Bishop Ford, where he played sparingly as a freshman. Schoolwork, not basketball, had been his priority then.
Greene, who played college ball at Ohio State and St. Peter’s, told him to meet her at the gym later in the day for workout. Benjamin was ready with a t-shirt, shorts and sneakers, and Greene told him to start working. He hasn’t stopped since, and now he’s slimmer, more skilled, and can run a six-minute mile. His teammates appreciate his work ethic, and his growth as a player.
“It’s a big difference because he started working harder,” said fellow senior Jevonte Wilson. “He lost a lot of weight, became more of a guard.”
The whole program has had to work hard to get to this point.
Brooklyn Community (30–0) lost to Teachers Prep in the quarterfinals two years ago. Then it fell to Fannie Lou Hamer (24–6) in double overtime in last year’s semifinals — a painful defeat that the players avenged in the March 15 title game.
“We wanted to beat them,” Wilson said.
The Lions thrived at the end of quarters, before having to hold on at the end. Seven straight points, including a Patrick Cross layup, closed the Fannie Lou Hamer lead to just 22–20 at the half. A James Cooper three-pointer at the third buzzer gave Brooklyn Community a 37–31 lead going into the fourth — an advantage that increased to 46–34 with 2:55 to go in the game thanks to a 9–0 run.
Fannie Lou Hamer then began a frantic rally, out-scoring the Lions 10–1 over the rest of the way. The Panthers cut the lead to 47–44 with 9.5 seconds left and had a chance to tie after Benjamin missed the front end of a one-and-one. Cross, Andrew Francisco and Wilson forced Saul Crespo into well-guarded three-point that did not drop.
“They kept the game close and we weren’t sure, but we held them and finished it off,” Wilson said.
Brooklyn Community wants to end its season on the right note as it heads to Albany to try for the state Federation crown. It takes on Catholic champions Regis at 1:30 p.m on March 22 at the Times Union Center.
“I still feel like we haven’t played our best basketball yet,” Greene said. “Even with an undefeated season.”
