By Anthony Bosco
Mendham, a state semifinalist last year that has returned all five starters this season, is led by three future Division I players in Kelly Sumimski (Stanford), Sara Holloway (Princeton) and Cathy McCann (Georgetown). But they could hang with Christ the King.
“They're a very strong team,” said Christ the King head coach Bob Mackey. “We got them early in the year. They'll be tough down the stretch. We played exceptionally well.”
The Royals jumped out to an early 11-point lead in the first quarter behind the play of Boston College-bound senior Clare Droesch and Christin Catalanotto. The lead was 18 at the half and despite a short run by Mendham in the third quarter, the Royals were never truly threatened.
Droesch led the Royals with 21 points, followed by Catalanotto and Amanda Locasio with 12 apiece and Corrine Turner with 10.
“The difference was the bench,” Mackey said. “They played a great game for us. The bench and the reserves have just been tremendous all year.”
The win raised the Royals' overall mark to 6-0.
Earlier in the week Christ the King improved its league record to 4-0 with a 80-42 trouncing of Bishop Ford. The team has also beaten Stella Maris, St. Savior's and The Mary Louis Academy in Catholic High School Athletic Association Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan play.
In the win four Royals scored in double figures, led by Turner with 12, Droesch with 11 and Melanie Mangone and Chanel Moore with 10 each. Mackey played 12 of his players in the first quarter and all 15 saw significant action in the first half.
Next up for Christ the King, following Tuesday's scheduled match against Mary Louis, is Elk Lake High School of Pennsylvania Friday. Elk Lake, which won its league championship a year ago, boasts four senior starters.
Following the road trip to Pennsylvania, the Royals will take their act to Raleigh-Durham, N.C. after Christmas to participate in the Galaxo Holiday Classic where they will face Westview High School out of Portland, Ore. Westview, one of the top 20 ranked teams in the country, is led by Georgia-signee Kara Braxton, a 6-foot-5 center Mackey said may be one of the top three high school players in the country.
If the Royals win they would most likely face Narbone High School of Harbor City, Calif., the No. 2-ranked team in the nation.
“We've got our work cut out for us the next couple of weeks,” Mackey said.
St. Francis Prep 73, Stella Maris 41. Dawn Gorynski led the Terries with 19 points. Erin White added 14 and Kim Weigel scored 12 as St. Francis Prep raised its record to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in league play with this win Monday. Alanna Bell scored 15 for Stella Maris in the loss.
St. John's Prep 60, St. Joseph's 15. Christina Jones led the Red Storm with 12 and Clear Kim added 11 Monday, as St. John's Prep improved to 5-2 on the year.
Our Lady of Lourdes 45, St. Francis Prep 38. The Terriers fell to Poughkeepsie's Our Lady of Lourdes Saturday despite 12 points from point guard Dawn Gorynski and 19 points and eight rebounds from Caitlin Kennedy. The loss was the first of the season for St. Francis, now 3-1.
Mary Louis 103, St. Agnes 18. First-year coach Joe Lewinger Jr. had his team clicking on all cylinders Friday, as the Hilltoppers thoroughly trounced 'B' league champions St. Agnes. Donna Lohrey led the way with 21, while Rachele Burriesci added 20 for the Hilltoppers, now 3-2.
St. John's Prep 43, Nazareth 19. Christine Jones powered the Red Storm to this league win last Wednesday, scoring 16 points. Lora Morton contributed 10 as St. John's Prep upped its mark to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in league play.
