Dwayne Pierce***–Pierce was forced to grow up quickly during the second semester of last season, with the Royals’ then- best player– high scoring 6-foot-9 point forward Brandon Williams (currently at UCLA)–out on suspension. Pierce, the then-junior, performed by adjusting to a multi-faceted role with Williams out, upping his scoring and creating, operating a fluid attack as a quintessential big guard, and applying hard one-on-one defense.
This season, Pierce has developed into a bullish, high scoring threat on which the team leans. As he’s done most of his career, he’s been proficient in sticking those daunting, hard-to-hit shots with the draping hands of defenders smothering him. He’s also utilized his Larry Johnson and Ron Artest-like frame to bulldoze his way to the rim and score.He embraces hard contact as good as anyone in the CHSAA “AA.” Pierce has been a consistent presence on offensive and defensive glass and plays at a full throttle pace. He’s utilized a stepback and a feathery 15-18 footer to his advantage, with significant lift off on his jumper.
Markel Alston–A three-year starter, the 6-foot-1 Class of 2025 Alston is averaging eight points, seven assists, and two steals for the Royals. He’s opened up a consistent outside shot, an area of his game he’s paid special devotion to through countless hours in Gaucho gym. He’s always getting reps up at CTK with teammates, developing a quicker shot release and a knack for corner 3-pointers.
Alston turned in an efficient account of himself during the Hoophall, detonating for a game-best 24 points on a smoking 11-for-13 shooting en route to an 81-52 victory over East Catholic (CT).
He thrived in the catch and shoot game, barreled his way into the rim and embraced contact, and stuck mid range pull-ups from the corner. Alston takes most pride in his defensive presence, where he’s become a pesky on-ball irritant with a knack for instigating turnovers and converting them into transition leak-outs. Alston leads by example on this CTK team, with his purity of vision as a quarterback creating for the various weapons at his disposal.
While his shiftiness , space creation, and ability to blow by defenders with a vaunted first step is notable, Alston now takes more pleasure in making those flanking him beneficiaries of his presence.
“For me, the advantage is that those guys can go get a bucket most of the time, so I can rely on them to make a play for us,” Alston explained. “I can always find them for a big time play.”
Jayden Ramirez–A gritty, clamp down defender, Ramirez gives Christ The King a psychological lift with his full throttle relentlessness. Disrupting the passing lanes, grappling for 50-50 balls, and pulling down boards, the 6-foot-4 Class of 2025 guard has intriguing positional versatility. He’s also adapted to the role of catch-and-stick threat this season, burying a barrage of 3-pointers during the aforementioned Hoophall Classic. The Royals provided major CHSAA representation in that hostile, hothouse proving ground, shooting it a blistering 52 percent from beyond the confines of the arc in the aforementioned East Catholic bludgeoning.
Ramirez has added bulk to a once spindly frame, developing into a crafty finisher capable of twisting his way into the teeth of the defense and absorbing contact.
Cam Zeigler–Even coach Joe Arbitiello himself chuckles at the notion that he might have been kicking himself had he actually wound up cutting Zeigler, who he really knew nothing about prior to the second day of tryouts. Zeigler, who arrived from Louisiana this season, then went off with a 3-point barrage that opened eyes. His deft, long range shooting has continued this season, as he can spark runs when he sticks shots in succession. With performances such as sublime 17-point, six assist, and two steal showing during a victory over Molloy last month, Zeigler has been a two-way source capable of catalyzing this offense.
Okie Okrocoto–The 6-foot-9 behemoth is a manchild in the trenches, where he’s able to swoop in for putbacks and also rip down defensive boards.
He’s developing a back to the rim game and possesses considerable explosiveness and fluid mobility at his size.
With his XL sized hands, he’s got the defensive aptitude to help seal the nets and change the trajectory of shots.
Qin Pang***–Fang’s transformation as one of the city and the country’s most perilious, versatile scoring threats has entailed an insatiable hunger within. This is a concept Christ The King coach Joe Arbitiello is quick to make note of. Pang had a 30-point game against St. John Bosco at the Iolani Classic and has been more aggressive in utilizing his wide ranging skill set to create offense and produce points.
Pang is now a lob finisher and a floor stretcher with consistency. He’s able to manufacture points in a variety of ways and really get out on the break and finish above the rim.
With his knack for attacking along the baseline, sticking fall-away jumpers, and creating his shot off the dribble, he’s got an extremely advanced repertoire at 6-foot-10. It’s no secret, bigs tend to develop later in high school basketball. It’s very rare you see a player of Pang’s size, at 6-10 and 240, with an all around scoring arsenal and deft touch.
Defensively, as Arbitiello noted, is where Fang really shoulders a spirited and critical role. He is capable of guarding nearly every position and swat, alter, and change the trajectory of shots.
Johnny Magna–The Class of 2027 Magna blew up before he grew up in New York City, gauging his grit on some of the toughest courts and rarely playing age appropriate. He captained the PSA Cardinals 8th grade team last summer, averaging 20 points and 10 assists. He was eventually put on the nationally powerful 17U PSA team, where he learned the niceties of the game at the highest level the country has to offer.
***: Will Not Play Tonight
