South Kent beats Darrow 69-67 in final seconds

South Kent beats Darrow 69-67 in final seconds

Diakite ended the game with a dunk followed by a free throw to seal a late victory for South Kent School against Darrow School Jan. 8.

Lans Christensen

KENT — South Kent School prep basketball remained undefeated at home this season following a late victory over Darrow School Wednesday, Jan. 8.

South Kent’s team is under new leadership this year with head coach Craig Carter, who succeeded Raphael Chillious at the start of the 2024-25 season. Chillious took an NBA job with the Memphis Grizzlies.

With a travel-heavy schedule to start the year, Carter has led South Kent to a 4-0 record at home and maintained a 4-4 record on the road thus far.

South Kent’s roster includes four-star recruit Badara Diakite, a 6’8” wing forward out of Mali, Africa. ESPN ranks Diakite as the second best high school player in Connecticut and top 100 nationwide. He has committed to play NCAA ball at The University of Iowa next year.

Craig Carter has the Cardinals at 8-4 in his first year as head coach of South Kent prep basketball.Lans Christensen

Cardinals, from South Kent, and Ducks, from New Lebanon, New York, should have been a congenial pair, but the opposite was true and a toughly fought game followed Jan. 8.

First half scoring was only modest for both teams. Lots of shots, but very few baskets. With only six minutes left in the first half, the Darrow Ducks led modestly 17-14.

The second half scoring improved with the Ducks establishing a 10-point lead with 10 minutes remaining. South Kent battled back and cut Darrow’s lead to three-points with the score at 57-54 with 4 minutes left.

South Kent’s Adam Chiacchia and Diakite came through in a thrilling finish. With 30 seconds left, Chiacchia cut the lead to one-point then Diakite finished the job on the next possession with a go-ahead dunk to take the lead. A follow-up free throw from Diakite sealed the game and South Kent won 69-67.

Badara Diakite is the second best high school player in Connecticut according to ESPN.Lans Christensen

Latest News

Fallen tree cancels jubilee

The roof of the Grove was damaged by the tree, the event tent was punctured, a chef was injured and the Jubilee Luncheon was canceled Sunday, Oct. 12.

Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

LAKEVILLE — The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News Jubilee Luncheon fundraiser at the Grove Sunday, Oct. 12 was canceled after a very large section of a tree fell on the caterer’s tent at about 10 a.m.

Most of the catering staff heard the tree breaking up and got out of the tent in time, but the chef was hit by the falling limbs and sustained non-critical injuries.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kent School senior killed, parents hurt in car crash

Emergency responders block Amenia Union Road in Sharon Saturday, Oct. 11, while responding to the vehicle crash.

Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

Updated Oct. 13, 9:25 a.m.:

SHARON — Shea Cassidy-Teti, 17, of Salisbury, died Saturday, Oct. 11, in a tragic car crash on Amenia Union Road in Sharon.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rhys V. Bowen

LAKEVILLE — Rhys V. Bowen, 65, of Foxboro, Massachusetts, died unexpectedly in his sleep on Sept. 15, 2025. Rhys was born in Sharon, Connecticut, on April 9, 1960 to Anne H. Bowen and the late John G. Bowen. His brother, David, died in 1979.

Rhys grew up at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, where his father taught English. Attending Hotchkiss, Rhys excelled in academics and played soccer, basketball, and baseball. During these years, he also learned the challenges and joys of running, and continued to run at least 50 miles a week, until the day he died.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kelsey K. Horton

LAKEVILLE — Kelsey K. Horton, 43, a lifelong area resident, died peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Connecticut, following a courageous battle with cancer. Kelsey worked as a certified nursing assistant and administrative assistant at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, from 1999 until 2024, where she was a very respected and loved member of their nursing and administrative staff.

Born Oct. 4, 1981, in Sharon, she was the daughter of W. Craig Kellogg of Southern Pines, North Carolina, and JoAnne (Lukens) Tuncy and her husband Donald of Millerton, New York. Kelsey graduated with the class of 1999 from Webutuck High School in Amenia and from BOCES in 1999 with a certificate from the CNA program as well. She was a longtime member of the Lakeville United Methodist Church in Lakeville. On Oct. 11, 2003, in Poughkeepsie, New York, she married James Horton. Jimmy survives at home in Lakeville. Kelsey loved camping every summer at Waubeeka Family Campground in Copake, and she volunteered as a cheer coach for A.R.C. Cheerleading for many years. Kelsey also enjoyed hiking and gardening in her spare time and spending time with her loving family and many dear friends.

Keep ReadingShow less