The venue for Friday afternoon’s Christ the King-Mary Louis girls’ basketball game has been changed from the Hilltoppers’ Jamaica Estates gym to St. John’s University’s Carnesecca Arena due to overwhelming demand for tickets,
The varsity teams will play at 6 p.m., following the JV at 4:30 p.m.
In the two teams' first meeting, Christ the King defeated Mary Louis, 56-54, on Jan. 28 in front of a packed CK gym in Middle Village. The Royals extended their long, league winning streak with the victory, one that was snapped after eight years and 108 games by Archbishop Molloy on Saturday.
This game could very well decide first place in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I. Christ the King and Mary Louis will both come in with only one league loss. The Royals have been division winners for 24 straight years.
In CK's victory last month, freshman Bria Smith, one of two ninth-graders to play on the Royals' varsity since 1998, had a game-high 28 points. Geleisa George added 14 points for Christ the King, which will have Tahira Johnson back. The junior forward returned last week from a knee injury she suffered against Molloy in December.
Senior Kelly Puwalski had 13 points and six assists, while St. John's-bound junior Amanda Burakoski, who will be playing her home games at Carnesecca Arena in two years, had 12 points and three steals for Mary Louis. Sophomore Andrea Busch chipped in nine points and 12 rebounds.
“I've never wanted to win a game so much before,” Mary Louis senior center Kelly Carman said after the Hilltoppers' loss. “I know we're going to see King two more times. I know for sure.”
The third time could be in the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens playoffs. The second time is Friday at St. John's.
