With
yesterday's convincing 71-52 win at Xaverian, the two time defending CHSAA
"AA" champs let fans and foes alike know that they're ready to make a
strong defense of their title and go for
a third straight championship at Fordham in March.
To be
sure some of the key players have moved on.
Adonis Delarosa, the skilled center who was a key part of both title
teams has moved on to St. John's. And Travis Atson, the MVP of last season's
playoffs has moved on to South Kent Prep.
If the
Royals are to get their third straight title the player who will have been a
key contributor on all of those teams will be Rawlie Alkins, the 6'4"
junior perimeter star who has seen his name climb steadily up the prospect
lists. In today's win he filled the stat sheet with 16 points 7 rebounds 4
assists and 3 blocks. Those numbers not withstanding they don't even begin to tell the story of
how well he played or what he could mean for a team filled with young players
trying to fill key roles on a team with championship expectations for the first
time.
Alkins
had just 6 points in the first half as he helped the Royals to a modest 28-22
halftime advantage but throughout this game and in particular during the first
16 minutes that perhaps the most underrated part of his game was on display. As he tried to
navigate a Xaverian defense that was tough early his floor game was impeccable.
He threw the ball ahead, kept it moving with good passes and made asses that
helped some of those new guys in key roles have early scoring success and gain
early confidence.
Sophomore Jose Alvarado, who played point guard on last
year's freshman team gladly accepted the role of shooting guard for this game
scoring a game high 21 points for the Royals several of which came on drive and
kick treys on perfectly delivered passes from Alkins. Junior Yashawn Bright
also scored well early wile fellow junior Tyrone Cohen contributed 12 points and 5 boards of his own
again with a bit of help from Alkins. Cohen and Alkins also provided much of
the lane coverage and rim protection tat thwarted Xaverian's effort. Both
Dorian Isaac and Nyotay Wisseh got into the lane at times but every attempted
finish was contested, and on the Royals fast breaks that often followed those
plays Alkins showed why he's one of the
best transition passers our region has seen in some time.
Xaverian's
defense kept them even at 12 after one quarter. Though they trailed by just six
at the half they had sabotaged their own effort by missing free throws including
three front ends of one and one opportunities. While big man Najee Larcher and
Wisseh had decent games for the
Clippers, the home team showed they still have some work to do before they're
ready to take on the champs. For now Rawlie Alkins and the Royals still stand
strong, like champions indeed.
for the first time.
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