Fresh off victories in their diocesan title games, two local GCHSAA girls’ basketball teams continued their trek through the Catholic League playoffs.
On the junior varsity level, St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows, took home the ‘AA’ Division city championship crown with a win over Msgr. Scanlan H.S., the Bronx. The varsity team from Christ the King H.S., Middle Village, then battled to a victory over Msgr. Scanlan in the ‘AA’ Division city championship game.
With the win, the Lady Royals advanced to the Catholic state tournament played March 8-9. A semifinal win over St. Anthony’s H.S., South Huntington, L.I., set up another matchup with Msgr. Scanlan for the state title.
Playing at the historic Rose Hill Gymnasium on the campus of Fordham University, the Bronx, Christ the King raced out to an early lead and never looked back en route to a 67-45 win to repeat as state champions.
Senior guard Khadija Demry led the way with 20 pts., while senior center Klarke Sconiers recorded a double-double with 16 pts. and 11 rebounds.
The Lady Royals will soon head to Glens Falls, N.Y., to compete in the New York State Federation Tournament to be played March 22-24 at Cool Insuring Arena.
JoAnn Arbitello-Pinnock, the head girls’ varsity basketball coach at The Mary Louis Academy, Jamaica Estates, was one of five finalists for Junior Knicks Coach of the Year Award, presented by the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Pinnock has been serving the local hoops community for almost 30 years, where she runs her own program, Positive Direct, in addition to coaching the Hilltoppers. Her biggest influence in the community is supporting fundraising efforts for The Lupus Foundation of America and developing Ladies Only mentoring sessions.
Jason Curry, the president of Big Apple Basketball, was named the recipient of the award on March 10.