ATHLETE OF THE WEEK : Black Returns With a Vengeance for Chaminade

Chaminade’s Kevin Black was worried as he warmed up for last Friday night’s Santa Fe League basketball game against Cathedral. The 6-7, 200-pound senior center had been sidelined for two games because of a sprained right ankle.

“The ankle didn’t feel very good but once the game started, I forgot about it,” Black said Monday. “I got into the flow of the game and I didn’t think about my ankle after that. I guess I was too busy concentrating on the game.”

Black’s concentration led to a career-high 35 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, and Chaminade rolled to a surprisingly easy 82-61 victory to remain in first place. The Eagles had struggled to a 59-58 win over Cathedral in the first round of league play.

Black, who averages 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds, was surprised at his offensive outburst. “I really wasn’t expecting it my first game back,” Black said. “I just went in there with the attitude that I wanted to do whatever it took for us to win the game, whether that was rebounding or playing defense or scoring. As it turned out I scored a lot of points, but it didn’t really matter to me as long as we won.”

Said Chaminade Coach Mike Lynn: Black’s performance was predictable. “He always seems to play his best in the important games.

“It was very frustrating for Kevin to sit on the bench when he was injured. He was just dying to get out on the court.”

Black agreed. “I did have some added incentive because I’d been injured,” he said. “I think some of the other teams in our league might have been saying, ‘Now’s our chance to beat Chaminade.’ ”