Cristo Rey keeps the faith; returns to capture C Conference crown

by Derek Toney

Cristo Rey’s J’Cobi Woodson remembered the emptiness after losing in the MIAA C basketball semifinals last year, especially leaving the locker room with his teammates - all five of them. 

Woodson never lost faith. Sunday, Cristo Rey got over the championship threshold. 

The Hornets defeated Park, 67-49, at UMBC’s Chesapeake Employees Insurance Arena to claim the C crown. Junior forward Jerrell Williams finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds for Cristo Rey (12-4 overall), and Woodson added 17 points.

The Hornets controlled most of the second half, claiming their first C title since 2020. Cristo Rey lost to Key in last year’s semifinals and, in 2024, lost to Saints Peter & Paul in the final.

For Woodson, the game’s Most Valuable Player after scoring 15 of his 17 points over the final 16 minutes, it was redemption. 

“It was devastating,” said Woodson, referring to last year’s semifinal loss. “I knew that my teammates needed me as much as I needed them.”

Cristo Rey had 15 players on the bench for its defining match of the winter Sunday.

Hornets coach Trey Boone said last year’s roster gradually depleted.

“Academics, conduct, just guys that didn’t want to stick with it, didn’t trust the process,” said Boone. “We had a lot of young guys come up, a good group of juniors, and seniors who led the way for us.”

“We were stronger when we work as a team,” said Cristo Rey senior guard Kaden Johnson. 

Johnson (15 points, three rebounds, three assists), a three-year starter, hit a 3-pointer to start a 9-0 third quarter spurt, transforming a 29-25 deficit into a 34-29 advantage for the Hornets. Cristo Rey had a 46-35 lead entering the fourth.

Down 15, Park, which ended Saints Peter & Paul’s two-year reign as champions in Thursday’s semifinals, used full-court press defense to climb within 52-46 with 4 minutes, 6 seconds left tin regulation. Woodson (four rebounds, three assists) immediately answered for the Hornets, who scored the game’s final 13 points.

“They really brought in after halftime, once they settled in and playing our game, the game changed,” said Boone. “It was just a matter of finding our footing and getting used to all the noise and the bright lights.”

Park (9-9), which was seeking its first title since 2006, got 18 points and seven rebounds from junior Riley Shapiro. The Bruins struggled shooting the ball in the second half.

Park coach Edwin Gordon said Cristo Rey controlled the glass.

“We’re not a big team at all…we knew we had to box out and get rebounds,” Gordon said. “They just battled on the boards. We had some great defensive possessions, then they'd get the offensive rebound.” 

Junior forward Cameron Nelson added eight points and eight rebounds for Cristo Rey, which split with Park during the regular season.

Woodson, who missed the first matchup (won by Park) smiled as his teammates poured out the UMBC locker room with the championship plaque.

“I’m just so blessed,” said Woodson, whose team won its final 10 decisions. “This was my last ride and to do it a good note.”