Larkin honors Negron with win over St. Charles North
There are two words to best describe Larkin senior Christian Negron - Class Act.
Negron has missed his entire boys basketball senior season after tearing an ACL in the fall. However, he never abandoned his team. Instead the Loyola recruit was there at every game and at practices encouraging and supporting his teammates every step of the way.
On Wednesday night Negron, one of the more special players to ever wear a Royal uniform, got to enjoy one last special moment as a player on the court of the Larkin gymnasium.
It was Senior Night and Larkin coach Deryn Carter had agreed to grant Negron's request to suit up and participate in the pregame shoot around one last time. However, moments before the game Carter went one step further.
"As I was coming back to the bench he came up to me and told me to take off my warmups because I was starting," Negron said. "I was really surprised. He didn't have to do that. But to be honest it meant the world to me. It made me feel really special. It was great that everyone understood that moment was bigger than the game."
Negron was on the floor for just 42 seconds - enough time for the Royals to execute a play that Carter drew up before the game to get the ball into the post to Negron on the Royals' first possession. From there Negron spun to the basket with no resistance from North, which went along as willing sportsmen. Negron then laid the ball in for the final basket of his high school career.
"I didn't even know until today that he was going dress," Carter said. "So we kind of came up with this at the last minute. I approached North's coach (Tom Poulin) about it and he was a class act. He suggested why don't we get him a bucket. You know Christian has been dealt a bad hand this year, but he has handled it tremendously. He has meant so much to our program. He deserved to have some of the limelight tonight."
To add icing on the cake Larkin went to rally from a 9-point third quarter deficit to end the season with a 57-54 Upstate Eight River Division win.
Before Negron departed to a standing ovation Larkin returned the favor to the North Stars by allowing them to score an uncontested layup.
"It was just really special to put on that jersey one more time and get on the floor in front of the home crowd," said the Loyola-bound Negron. 'These fans are best and my time here has meant so much to me."
The Royals (15-14, 6-6) trailed 38-29 late in the third quarter, but went on an 8-2 run to get to within 40-37 early in the fourth quarter. Anthony Lynch got the Royals to within 50-49 on a driving layup with 2;32 left to play. Moments later Kindrell Morris put Larkin up for good 51-50 on a layup with 2:02 to play.
Kashmir Ivy added a basket and 4 free throws down the stretch to help seal the win.
Lynch finished with a team-high 16 points. Ivy added 12 points. and Jalen Shaw finished with 10.
"I'm glad we were able to do this for Christian," Lynch said. "He has been a great teammate and has still made a big impact on all of us. Hopefully this win gives us a little push going into the playoffs."
Erik Larson had 13 points to lead North (18-8, 8-4) in scoring.