By Anthony Bosco
But Mackey and his players persevered. Despite some bumps along the way, including the team's first league loss since 1984, the Royals captured the school's 11th consecutive New York State Class A Federation championship.
“Last year everybody was saying we were vulnerable,” Mackey said. “We proved we weren't. I don't think anybody's saying that this year.”
Though the Royals graduated four seniors – Trish Turbidy, Donna Graff, Dierdre Forde and Johanna Franco – they are returning 11 players to the fold, including Boston College-bound Clare Droesch. The 6-foot Belle Harbor resident leads a returning group of players hungry for yet another championship.
Christine Catalanotto (University of Maryland-Baltimore County) and Melanie Mangone (Adelphi), will join Droesch, Jennifer Dawson and Jamie Hoffmeister in the starting lineup. Junior guard Cigi McCollin and sophomore Corinne Turner will also see plenty of minutes.
“It's going to be a very good year,” said Mackey, whose team was preseason ranked No. 12 by USA Today, No. 3 in the East. “We look very good so far. I got a lot of kids who can just flat out play. It's going to be a battle for minutes.”
The Royals' 16-player roster includes six sophomores, four juniors and five seniors. As usual, Christ the King will play a tough non-league schedule to ready the team for the league season against St. Francis Prep, Mary Louis, Stella Maris, Bishop Loughlin, Bishop Kearney, St. Edmund's and St. Savior.
“In addition to being very young we are very good,” Mackey said. “We got everything out of the way last year.”
St. Francis Prep is hoping to give Christ the King a run for its money, but having graduated seven seniors, including standouts Meghan Ann Collins, Maura McShane, Lauren Kilduff, Victoria Wancel and Elizabeth Fryer, coach Tom Finn has his work cut out for him if he wants repeat as the CHSAA Class B Federation champions.
Leading the returnees is junior Dawn Gorynski, who averaged 10 points per game coming off the bench for the Terriers last year. Tri-captains Dana Kirchoff, Kristen Lee and Kim Weigel are the only seniors on the team and will all start. Erin White, Elizabeth Yuneman and Caitlin Kennedy will all fight for playing time.
“It's their turn this year, they have to step up,” Finn said of his team. “Hopefully by playoff time everybody will have their experience. If we're a better team at the end than we were at the beginning then we have a chance to do some damage.”
The only other Queens school competing in the 'A' division, The Mary Louis Academy Hilltoppers, has a new look this season with first-year coach Joe Lewinger Jr. taking over for Steve Contino.
Mary Louis struggled last year and returns just three players, Elizabeth Barry, Jennifer Forgione and Kristy Locascio. But Lewinger is joined by stellar junior Donna Lohrey, who started at point guard for the New York City Scholastic Team at the most recent Empire State Games. Sue Basile and Rachele Burriesci will also see floor time for this team, dominated by underclassmen.
“I'm very optimistic,” Lewinger said. “I think that we will put up a good fight. They're a great group of girls. They work hard every day. I think that this Donna Lohrey will be an excellent player. She's my player to watch for this year.”
