It was a sight Positive Direction coach JoAnn Arbitello had seen so many times before, but it was for the last time in New York City for awhile.
There was former Mary Louis star Karin Robinson, nicknamed Circus, doing all the things she does best one final time as a high-school player in the five boroughs Saturday during the West 4th Classic’s high school girls championship game. The 5-foot-6 guard converted acrobatic layups, wreaked havoc as part of Positive Direction’s pressure defense and completed behind-the-back passes to trailing teammates for layups in transition. On one play Robinson had her layup attempt blocked, but while falling down was able to regain control of the ball and score.
“She definitely came out here to play today,” Arbitello said. “We always joke with her and say, ‘Little Circus came to town today.’”
Robinson scored a game-high 28 points, including the championship sealing free throws and earned MVP honors in Positive Direction’s 70-66 win over the Defenders (N.J.). It was her first title in a league that traditionally ends the travel team’s summer. Afterward Robinson was heading home and later that night leaving for Coffeyville Community College in Kansas to begin the next stage of her career.
“I feel like it was the right way to go out with a big game in my last New York City tournament,” Robinson said. “We took it. I feel like I’m going off to Kansas on a good note.”
Kansas wasn’t exactly where the All-City first team selection by The Post was supposed to end up. She committed to George Mason in June 2010, but later found out she didn”t qualify academically to play at the CAA school. George Mason helped set her up Coffeyville with the hopes of her still joining the Patriots down the line. Robinson, who had her number retired by Positive Direction, was suspended early in her junior season for academic concerns. She believes everything happens for a reason.
“All I have to do is go down there and handle the books and everything and I know George Mason is going to be there at the end of it,” she said.
Robinson is coming off a stellar senior season with the Hilltoppers, who lost in the CHSAA Class AA state quarterfinals to eventual Federation champion Nazareth. She scored a school record 39 points in a win over Bishop Ford to help Mary Louis place second in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I. She also scored 10 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter to lead TMLA to its first-ever win over Christ the King in the diocesan semifinals.
“Sometimes kids do not realize what they need to do in the classroom,” Arbitello said. “As much as you can preach to them, it’s got to be up to them. Over the last few months she has really matured and she is ready to go out there and do the work in the classroom. Obviously she is going to do well out on the court.”