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Teamwork leads Christ the King girls to another win

By Domenico Montanaro

Asbury Park, N.J. — Another game, another dramatic come-from-behind victory for the Christ the King girls basketball team.

The latest was a 57-51 victory over Red Bank Catholic (N.J.) Saturday at the Battle on the Boardwalk showcase at historic Convention Hall in snowy Asbury Park, N.J.

In the drafty makeshift arena, the Royals, ranked No. 10 in the nation, looked like they were in for a snow job. Down by as much as 12 points in the third quarter, CK broke out the shovels, started to dig and never gave in.

The Royals went on a 14-4 run over the next seven minutes to bring them back into it, eventually taking the lead with 2:44 to go in the game on a Corinne Turner fast break lay in. It was CK’s first lead since 15-14, but this one the Royals would not relinquish.

“We know what it takes to win,” Royals guard Cigi McCollin said. “We’ve been down, we know how to come back. It just can’t be like that every game.”

RBC helped the matter, making only the front ends of free throws on the next two possessions. Those free throws tied the game instead of giving the Caseys a two-point lead. And with 58 seconds remaining, CK’s Shay Doron took advantage. She drove the left side, scored and was fouled. She hit the ensuing foul shot, giving her team its largest lead of the game — three points. In the final minute, CK went 5-for-6 from the line, sealing the deal and escaping with a win.

In the second half, the Royals’ aggressive play made winning possible. They went end-to-end with full-court pressure and, with less than 50 seconds remaining, that press forced a key turnover. It was the 14th of the half for RBC, its 21st of the game.

“[In the second half,] we pulled out the jar with the other brain in it,” CK coach Bob Mackey said. “We know we can play defense for 32, 36, 38 minutes. They’re in great shape. We know we can come through in the clutch.”

Amanda LoCascio, who had five points, attributed the team’s poise to the way the Royals practice.

“In practice we go through all situations,” she said. “We’re ready. We never put our heads down.”

McCollin agreed.

“They can’t do anything we haven’t already seen,” McCollin said.

The Royals’ size advantage didn’t hurt either, as 5-foot-11 Candice Lindsey, who finished with 10 points and was ferocious on the boards, was named the game’s MVP.

These two teams are familiar with each other and are forming a classic rivalry.

“It’s a great rivalry,” Mackey said. “It’s a great match up between two very, very good programs.”

The two teams met last year in the Battle on the Boardwalk. CK won that one 48-47 behind a solid effort by All-American and current Boston College star Clare Droesch.

This year, there’s no great standouts player, like alums Chamique Holdsclaw, Sue Bird or Droesch, but the Royals are still pulling it out with balance.

Balanced scoring led the way for the Royals against RBC, as four players scored in double figures. McCollin, Doron and Turner shared the team-high of 12 points, while Lindsey added 10.

RBC’s Alisa Kresge led all scorers with 19 points. Teammate Lindsey Woodfield added 10.

“This is the No. 10 team in the nation,” RBC coach Joe Montano said or CK. “They’re not going to lay down and quit. We were like two heavyweight fighters. We were both punching, but they made a few more plays than we did.”

St. Francis Prep 74, Notre Dame 30. Dawn Gorynski led the way with 29 and Elizabeth Yuneman chipped in 20 to lead the Terriers, now 12-3 overall and 4-1 in league play, in a non-league win Sunday.

St. John’s Prep 57, Long Island City 39. The Red Storm were led by Shaniqua Edmunds, who had 20 points and six assist in this non-league affair between neighboring schools. Laura Morton added 17 points and 18 boards for the winners.

Archbishop Molloy 50, Bishop Ford 31. Rosalyn Gold-Onwude registered 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while AnnaMarie Ciorciari chipped in 11 and Maureen Hartigan 10.

St. John’s Prep 50, Nazareth 25. Morton and Starla White both scored 13, while teammate Danielle Candidus added 11.

St. Francis Prep 59, Bishop Kearney 48. Gorynski and Yuneman both scored 20 in Prep’s victory over the Tigers last week.

Reach contributing writer Domenico Montanaro by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 130.