Christ the King 2019-20 Season Preview

By Robert Pena,

After making a deep run and losing in the New York State Federation AA Tournament of Champions, the Christ The King Royals are focused on making another deep run this year. It’s a process. It’s the players’ commitment to buying in and executing scheme details. It is the mental toughness to get after it, early and often. Head coach Joe Arbetello says, “We just have to be better than we were at the beginning of the season last year. With having huge games like our ESPN-broadcasted game, playing in the Tournament of Champions showcase on MLK weekend, as well as with the league being really, really tough every day, we just have to get better, sooner.” The CHSSA is tough and relentless. Its where iron gets the chance to make iron by the time post-season tournaments roll around.

 

Many of the CTK ball touches will run through Ryan Myers, Sterling Jones and Zisi Blades. Myers is a 6’3 returning starter who averaged 18 ppg and 6.6 assist per contests last season. He is a two-way player who can run at either the 1 or 2 on offense. He both gets everyone else involved and shoots it well himself.

 

Jones is a 5’10 guard and returning starter who averaged 10 ppg, 10 assists, 5 rebounds per game last year. He is a pure point guard, who thinks pass-first to get his teammates involved. He has deepened his ability to impact the game by developing a consistent jump shot. “Myers and Sterling are our leaders.” said Coach Arbetello.

 

Blades is a 6’4 junior transfer student from the Waldorf School (Long Island) and will be a key new player for the Royals this season. He is a wing who can also slip into the post and play back-to-the-basket offense when the opportunity is right. He is aggressive and successful in winning the rebounding wars.

 

Lovell Smith and Nicholas Molina will also be the rotation for the Royals this season. Smith is a 6’3 senior and returning starter who averaged 12 ppg, 5 assists and 8 rebounds last year. He is a long and lanky “positionless” swing man who plays hard on both ends of the floor. He can get to the basket off the bounce, and he can get to the boards for game-changing rebound wins.

 

Molina is a 6’0 senior and returning starter averaged 10 ppg, 5 assists and 5 rebounds per game last season. He is a 2 guard who knocks down the open threes. According to Royals Assistant Coach Carlos Acevedo, Molina’s ereal pride lies in his defense. He plays it with passion and creates havoc in the passing lanes.
 

 

Ryan Myers and Sterling Jones are both being recruited by Division 1 colleges. “Scholarships for every seniors is one of our goals as a program.” per Coach Arbetello.