Atkinson leads LuHi to NYSAIS title

Chris Atkinson had 20 points and seven assists and Kenton Facey had 11 rebounds as Long Island Lutheran defeated Albany Academy at Fieldston School in the Bronx, 65-40, to win their sixth straight NYSAIS championship.

The Crusaders (21-6) move on to the State Federation tournament beginning March 23 at the Times Union Center in Albany. They are the defending champions, although this year's team bears little resemblance to 2011.

"It's been real tough for us this year because we lost four of five starters from last year's team, and there's a lot of pressure for new guys to step up," coach John Buck said. "And I'm really proud of how they stepped up. This isn't last year's team. This is their team."

Atkinson hit four three-pointers in the first quarter as LuHi built a 20-10 lead. Albany fought back in the third quarter, but Anthony Pate's jumper with three seconds left gave the Crusaders a 10-point cushion heading into the fourth.