By Joseph Staszewski
Sierra Calhoun, Kollyns Scarbrough and Kristen Drogsler got a tangible reminder that time is limited for them and the teams’ six other seniors to leave their mark on Christ the King history.
As the three signed their letter of intent to their respective colleges, it made even more real that the group of Royals has yet to win a CHSAA Class AA state title and earn a trip upstate to win a state Federation crown.
“Everybody wants to win,” the Siena-bound Scarbrough said. “It’s really a great energy that we have. The seniors want to win. We need a championship.”
A deep and experienced roster has them believing it’s finally their time after being upset by Moore Catholic in the Catholic state quarterfinals last season and failing to make the diocesan title game. CK Coach Bob Mackey believes his team is the favorite to make the trip to Albany. Now they have to prove it.
“It’s a long, long road to March,” he said. “We have to play it. Paper is great, but you got to step on the floor and bring it every night.”
The Royals certainly have the pieces to do so, starting with the Duke-bound Calhoun. The 6-foot-1 wing is the No. 10-ranked player in her class, according to ESPN. She can score inside and out. Mackey said she is more relaxed this year and feeling more confident distributing to her teammates.
“She is making everybody look good,” he said.
The Royals have many options. Scarbrough is a force in the paint on both sides of the ball. She has made herself more of the threat in the open floor. CK is much deeper at the guard sport, but will need to find a replacement for forward Taylor Butigian, now at Wagner College.
CK is excited about the return of Alyssa Gatti from her second ACL tear, which left the Royals without an experienced point guard. Mackey called her the team’s engine. The team also added St. John the Baptist transfer Sydney Zambratta. She and Gatti strengthen a backcourt that already includes Drogsler — a deadeye shooter headed to Caldwall — Deja Johnson, Shannon Barrett, Dominique Toussaint and Destiny Marino. All of them saw important minutes last year.
“We are definitely really deep,” Calhoun said. “Everyone on the court is a threat.”
Mackey hopes to also see contributions from Lawrence transfer Kaela Kinder, Kamarie Maturine and junior varsity call-ups Ivy Coles and 6-foot-3 forward Ashlie Howell.
The pieces, desire and experience are in place for the Royals to reclaim their perch atop the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens ranks, with the likes of Nazareth, Molloy and others now standing in their way.
The seniors know this has to be their year.
“We have a core group of seniors that are back,” Drogsler said. “We really haven’t really won a state. We just won a diocesan. We are ready to get this championship. We are hungry for it.”
