Royals have a peak
RADNOR, Pa. — Christ the King feels it has matured at just the right time.
The Royals rued not closing out wins against nationally-ranked teams this season, but there was no such problem in a 62-50 victory over host Archbishop Carroll (Pa.) in non-league girls basketball yesterday.
Carroll, ranked No. 19 in the country by USA Today, represented Christ the King’s second straight win over a top-tier opponent, after it beat Trenton Catholic on Sunday.
“This is really like a growing step for us,” guard Bria Smith said. “It had everyone, even the people on the bench, step up and go do what they had to do. It just shows what we have to be doing in the playoffs.”
Ariel Edwards scored 21 points and Smith added 14 as both played the entire fourth quarter with four fouls. Nia Oden had 12 points and Jackie Michel and Rayne Connell each tallied six. Connell held Carroll’s Erin Shields (25 points and five 3-pointers) to 10 points in the second half, after she scored 15 in the second quarter.
“I like what I saw,” Christ the King coach Bob Mackey said. “They didn’t back down.”
The Royals (19-5) led nearly the whole way. The Patriots (19-3) cut what was a 14-point second quarter deficit to 34-28 at the half, but never got closer than four points the rest of the way.
Christ the King had chances to knock off nationally-ranked Long Beach Poly (Calif.) and Malcolm X Shabazz (N.J.) and lost to an excellent St. John Vianney (N.J.) team Saturday. The hope is that getting over the hump will have the Royals ready for a State Federation Class AA title run.
“It’s preparing us for the playoffs,” Connell said. “I think we are capable of anything.”
