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Christ the King putting No. 2 ranking on line

By Anthony Bosco

Such an accomplishment might call for celebration, but the Royals and head coach Bob Mackey have no such luxury.

Christ the King will be back facing another nationally ranked team this weekend when the team takes on Bullis Prep of Potomac, Md. Saturday in Philadelphia. Bullis, Mackey said, was pre-season ranked No. 7 in the country, but recently fell to the lower reaches of the top 20 after suffering its first loss of the season.

“The league games are mandatory,” Mackey said, “but we're looking for teams that are going to come out and challenge us.”

The game will be played at a neutral site, Westchester University just outside of Philadelphia, because of CHSAA travel rules, Mackey said, adding that Philadelphia is within boundaries set forth by the CHSAA.

Bullis is led by three Division I signees, Monique Currie (Clemson), Crystal Elerbee (Maryland) and Erin Ferrell (Wake Forest). The game will also give two future CK opponents the opportunity to scout them, as the Royals will travel back to Philadelphia during the first week of February to play back-to-back games against Archbishop Carroll and Cardinal O'Hara.

A win Saturday would certainly improve the Royals' chances of catching the elusive No. 1 spot in the nation, currently held by Bishop Fenwick from Illinois, a team the Royals will not get a chance to meet this season.

In between battles against some of the nation's best, the Royals took care of business at home this past week, beating St. Raymond's Sunday, 92-48, and league foe Stella Maris, 84-26 Friday.

Against St. Ray's, Clare Droesch led the way with 22 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds. Christine Catalanotto and Corrine Turner contributed 11 apiece. It was a game Christ the King dominated from the outset, allowing Mackey and his players to back off late.

“They're a good young team,” Mackey said. “I think we're a little prepared for what we have coming up so it ended up being a little one-sided. We could have probably run it up, but that's not what the game's about.”

The Royals took off their press early and sat in a zone for the entire second half, Mackey said, allowing the coach to rotate 12 players into the game in the first half and to empty his bench in the second half.

Against Stella Maris, CK was even more dominant, as Melea Gibson led the way with 18 and Droesch netted 14, as the Royals raised their record to 6-0 in league play.

Christ the King will face its toughest league test of the year Sunday after they return from Philadelphia to take on the St. Francis Prep Terriers as part of the five-game bill featuring all the teams from both schools in action.

“I hope it's a good game,” Mackey said. “They always come out and play hard. We're going to get challenged. We want to prepare for this now so hopefully come playoff time you're ready. You don't want to have someone find a weakness. You want to make sure everybody knows what they're job is.”

Tip-off for the girls' varsity showdown at St. Francis Prep is 3:15 p.m., immediately following the boys' varsity game, which is slated for 2 p.m.

The Royals are 12-0 on the year.

St. Francis Prep 52, St. Anthony's 42. Junior Dawn Gorynski scored a team-high 20 points, while teammates Kim Weigel and Dana Kirchoff added 10 apiece, as St. Francis Prep raised its record to 8-1 overall with this win Sunday.

St. Francis Prep 56, The Mary Louis Academy 42. Gorynski powered Prep with 23 points and Kristen Lee added 11 as for St. Francis Prep improved its league record to 4-0 with Friday's win over the Hilltoppers.

St. John's Prep 56, Long Island City 44. The Red Storm were led by Lora Morton's 19 points in this non-league win.

St. Francis Prep 66, Bishop Ford 20. Dawn Gorynski led with 21 points and Lee scored 12 for St. Francis.