By Jasmine Cannon

The buzzer sounded and Christ the King’s dreams of ending their season with a state championship vanished.

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Stalling in sectionals for the third straight season, the Gladiators pulled to within one with 49 seconds remaining in a see-saw game against DePaul College Prep, but did not score again in a 58-53 semifinal loss at The Willows Academy in Des Plaines.

“It was rough …” said Christ the King coach Douglas. “If we would’ve had just a little bit more time, a couple more minutes, I think we would’ve overcome.”

After defeating Timothy Christian for their third consecutive regional championship, the Gladiators couldn’t continue the momentum as turnovers and a lack of focus, according to Douglas, ended their season at 21-9.