By Joseph Staszewski
The Christ the King boys’ basketball team thinks it has more to prove than in recent years.
The Royals, despite coming off its second state Federation Class AA title in three years, graduated Division I players like Jon Severe and Malik Harmon and Jordan Fuchs, who is playing football at UConn. Christ the King doesn’t return the same proven household names as fellow CHSAA favorites Bishop Loughlin and Cardinal Hayes, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t talented.
“I know how good my guys are, but we haven’t played a game yet, so nobody knows how good they are,” CK Coach Joe Arbitello said.
What we do know is sophomore Rawle Alkins is regarded as having a chance to be the next great player in New York City. The 6-foot-4 wing burst on to the scene late last season. He scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the Royals’ Federation title game win over Long Island Lutheran.
“I feel my role this year is to do a little bit of everything,” Alkins said.
Arbitello isn’t looking for him to be the team’s leader just yet. That role belongs to senior center Adonis Delarosa and point guard Andre Walker. Walker has been the team’s best player in the preseason in Arbitello’s mind and a kid who can get a triple-double on any night.
“Andre is going to have a humongous year for us,” the coach said.
The 6-foot-10 Delarosa lost 40 pounds. He is running the floor better, quicker off his feet and better able to guard players smaller and quicker than him. Delarosa’s offensive game has also expanded.
“He can make the 15-footer, knock down baby hooks now,” Walker said. “He has a lot to offer. It’s a big problem for other teams.”
Depth will not be an issue. It will just be a matter of getting some players some experience. Junior forward Travis Atson got some limited minutes last season, but is seen as an athletic outside shooting threat, who at 6-foot-5 can help on the boards. Senior guard Bryler Paige is also expected to step into a starting role. Junior Tahleek Weekes and sophomores Tyrone Cohen and Yashawn Bright will be important factors off the bench.
They are all part of the talent the Royals know they have on their roster as they get set to try to win their fourth CHSAA Class AA intersectional title in the last five years and make a run at another state Federation title.
“Guys don’t really know what we are capable of at this point,” Delarosa said. “They think they lost Jon, they are not going to be that good. I think we can be the best team in the CHSAA and I think we are going to repeat.”
