By Dylan Butler
But it was the future stars of Royals' hoops who proved in Christ the King's 79-40 win over Holy Trinity in the Diane Brennan Invitational at Fordham's Rose Hill Gymnasium Sunday that Bob Mackey's team should be among the elite for at least a few more years.
Sure, Boston College-bound Droesch was the game's MVP, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists, five steals and two blocks in 19 minutes, and starters Dawson (10 points, five rebounds), Catalanotto (six points, four assists) and Chantel Moore (eight points, six rebounds) helped Christ the King (4-0) stake a comfortable lead.
But it was the underclassmen, like sophomores Amanda Locascio and Lesley Dickinson, who got their first taste of big-time high school basketball in front of a large crowd on a college court. And they didn't disappoint.
“Every one kid on this team has talent,” said Christ the King head coach Bob Mackey. “Everyone can bring something to the table.”
Locascio showed the point guard position will continue to be in good hands when Catalanotto heads to the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. The 5-foot-6 sophomore had six assists.
Forwards Michelle Softy, a 5-foot-7 junior and 5-foot-9 sophomore Dickinson also played well in the post, scoring nine points apiece. Six-foot-1 sophomore forward Corinne Turner also added six points for the Royals.
“You can't play five all season and all of a sudden play with 10,” Mackey said. “We'll play 12 to 14 players every game. There is no end of the bench this year. Everyone can play.”
Christ the King jumped ahead 14-3 on a layup by Droesch on the break. Holy Trinity (0-2) scored six straight points, capped by Jacqueline DeBorger's steal and layup. Lindsay's putback from the left blocks at the buzzer gave the Royals a 16-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Christ the King began to pour it on early in the second quarter. Catalanotto hit a 17-foot jumper, Droesch scored from the right blocks, senior Jamie Hoffmeister nailed a 10-footer from the baseline and Dawson laid the ball in off an awesome pass by Droesch as the Royals extended their lead to 17, 31-14, with 3:41 left in the half.
The Titans didn't go away though and six straight points late in the second quarter cut the deficit to 11, 33-22 with 1:26 left in the first half.
The lead remained at 11 when Jessica Dlabola scored two of her team-high 15 points from the line to start the third quarter. But then Christ the King began putting the game away.
Moore scored on a putback, Turner slashed to the basket and was fouled, Softy scored from the left block and senior Melanie Mangone hit an 8-footer as the Royals went on a 19-6 run to take a 62-35 lead. Christ the King brought its 27-point lead into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter was even more lopsided, as Christ the King outscored Holy Trinity 13-1 to close out the game.
“As a team, we played really well today,” Droesch said. “We're capable of having five or six different players in double-figure scoring. We don't rely on one good girl to score.”
St. Francis Prep 58, Holy Trinity 45. Bayside native Dawn Gorynski led the way for the Terriers, scoring 18 points and dishing out seven assists. Erin White added 11 for the victors, which upped their record to 3-0.
Bishop Ford 57, St. John's Prep 34. The Red Storm dropped this league contest last Thursday, despite a nine-point effort by Laura Martin.
Christ the King 87, Stella Maris 33. Michelle Softy s 22 points paced the defending state champion Lady Royals in this dominant win last Wednesday. Boston College-bound Clare Droesch added 20 as the Royals improved to 3-0.
– Anthony Bosco contributed to this story
