Since Terrel Hunt’s mother Katrina died from ovarian cancer on Jan. 31, the Christ the King boys basketball team dedicated its championship run to her memory.
“After she passed away they said the whole season is for your mom, we’re going to the [championship], we promise,” Hunt said.
The Royals not only got there, but they won the CHSAA Class AA intersectional title Sunday in a triple-overtime thriller against rival Bishop Loughlin Sunday at Rose Hill Gym. And Hunt came off the bench to make a huge contribution in the 81-78 victory.
“That’s my boy,” Christ the King junior guard T.J. Curry said. “We go way back all the way to the second grade…I saw him and said, ‘this is for mamma,’ and I gave him the ball and he did what he had to do.”
Hunt replaced Maurice Barrow, who fouled out with 1:45 left in the third overtime.
“We were all there for him,” Curry said. “As soon as he lost his mom, everyone was heartbroken. For us to come here and for him to even be in that position when Mo fouled out, it was real great for him.”
Barrow was named the game’s MVP after scoring 24 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, but the Royals were confident when Hunt, the star quarterback on the Christ the King football team, stepped on the court.
“He’s a great kid and a tough character,” senior forward Dominykas Milka said. “We knew he was going to come through for us and he did.”
With Christ the King leading 80-78 following Curry’s layup, Hunt broke to the basket and was fouled by Davonte Dunham, who pushed the junior in the back. Dunham was whistled for the intentional foul, sending Hunt to the line with 7.7 seconds remaining.
Kareem Thomas pulled Hunt aside before he stepped to the foul line.
“He said this one is for your mother,” Hunt said. “He said just stay calm and do it for your mom.”
Hunt did just that, going 1-of-2 from the line, meaning the best Loughlin could do was tie the game with a last-second shot. Branden Frazier missed a corner 3-pointer at the buzzer, setting off a wild celebration on the court.
Right in the middle was Hunt, who said he was getting guidance from above during the game.
“On the bench I was praying,” he said. “That’s why I was looking up at the sky.”
The Royals also dedicated their win to Corey Edwards after the junior point guard dislocated his left foot at practice last week. Immediately after the game, assistant coach Greg Lemko called Edwards to let him know the good news.
The post-game was especially sweet for Hunt, who was able to contribute late in the game in is mother’s memory.
“They told me they were going to do it,” Hunt said. “But I got the chance to end it for my mother and I did it for her.”