CHAMPION Dynamic duo leads Flashes past Eagles

Kevin Stingel and Mark Kish combined for 46 points.
By DOUG CHAPIN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CHAMPION -- Juniors Kevin Stingel and Mark Kish combined for 46 points in Champion's 61-57 non-conference victory Friday over Warren John F. Kennedy.
Stingel was 8-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range, for 22 points, while Kish made 9-of-17 shots for 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.
"We rode our two big guns to the win," Champion coach Jeff Rasile said of his two standouts. "We have to have them play well to win."
Another junior, guard Mike Wortman, sank 3-of-4 free throws in the final 64 seconds of the contest to help ice the win. Wortman came off the bench cold to make the shots after entering the game for the first time just seconds earlier.
Kennedy (0-2) got fine efforts from Keith Black (19 points and seven rebounds), Chris Macali (13 points) and Adam Snyder (10 rebounds). Snyder, a 6-4 sophomore, started in the absence of injured Luke Vincer.
Ice cold: JFK coach John Condoleon bemoaned his team's free throw shooting.
"If we make our foul shots, we're 2-0," he said. "No matter how sloppy we played with the turnovers and everything, if we sink our free throws we're 2-0."
Kennedy, which started two sophomores and had three others get significant minutes, was just 11-of-24 from the line and committed 12 turnovers. Champion was guilty of 17 miscues and sank 16-of-28 from the line.
"I think all of our games are going to be sloppy," Rasile said of the 2-1 Flashes. "We are inexperienced, but we'll play hard like we did tonight."
Champion led 15-11 with about two minutes left in the first quarter, but Kennedy rallied to a 20-15 lead at the 6:43 mark of the second. The Eagles posted their largest lead of the evening at 25-18 and led again by seven at 29-22 with 3:30 remaining in the half. Kish scored two baskets and two free throws the rest of the second quarter to help get Champion within 32-31 at the half.
"We have to learn to concentrate for four quarters," Condoleon said. "Right now, with Vincer out, we're searching for the right combination in the middle. And when we get in foul trouble we get even younger."
Moving ahead: A three-point play by Justin Kurilchick gave the Flashes their first lead since the first quarter at 34-32 at the 6:55 mark of the third quarter. Kennedy re-established the lead and went ahead by six with about two minutes left on a 3-pointer by Mike Lepro.
A bucket by Seth Terlecky and Stingel's running 3-pointer from about 25 feet at the buzzer pulled Champion back to within 45-44 at the end of the frame.
Another 3-pointer by Stingel at the 4:01 mark put Champion ahead for good, 52-50. The Flashes took advantage when Macali was injured under the Eagles' basket after having a shot blocked by Kish. Champion hurried the ball down the floor and Stingel made the shot with JFK shorthanded.
Kurilchick's two free throws at 3:33 made it 54-50 and Kish scored again for a 56-50 lead. Wortman made his free throws and Stingel added two more with 8 seconds remaining to clinch the win.