CBA junior Galal Cancer grabs the ball as Troy High's Kareem Brown elevates toward the rim in a Section II playoff game at Hudson Valley Community College earlier this season. The Brothers, still standing, play in the Federation Tournament of Champions in Glens Falls this weekend. (Photo by Tom Killips - The Record).

Just like when they played Troy High this season, Christian Brothers Academy will be looking up this weekend against Christ the King.
With four players that stand 6-foot4 or taller in the starting lineup, the Brothers will be at a significant height disadvantage when they square off with Christ the King in Saturday's Class AA Federation Tournament of Champions semifinal at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Tip-off is set for 3:45 p.m.

CBA's tallest players are Kam Ritter, a perimeter player, mostly, and center Jack Reilly, who both stand 6-foot-3.

Still, the Brothers found a way to get around a rangy Troy High team three times this season, but Christ the King certainly has an experience and a talent edge compared to what CBA saw from Troy.

If you're looking to do a little research on Christ the King, this is your first stop: the team's official webpage. Click through to the boys team home page to view a roster and stats for each player.

The Royals are playing without one of their best players, as Christ the King's Corey Edwards dislocated his foot in practice earlier this month and is out of the remainder of the season. He had averaged over 10 points per game as the team's point guard for most of the season. T.J. Curry has filled in in the backcourt in his absence. He led the Royals to a triple-overtime victory over Bishop Loughlin in New York City's Catholic High School Athletic Association Class AA championship game at Fordham University last week.

For more on that game, click here to read the New York Daily News' recap.

Last weekend, the Brothers found a way to knock off the defending state champs from Newburgh, who returned all five starters, by 19 points. A day later, they stopped New York's Mr. Basketball, Tobias Harris of Half Hollow Hills West, in his tracks, in an 18-point victory.

Upstate teams always tend to be the underdogs in the Federation games, but the Brothers proved that they will be reckoned with after their performances last week.

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The winner of this semifinal game will face Brooklyn's Boys & Girls High School team, which will receive the keys to New York City from Mayor Bloomberg sometime Thursday.

Kangaroos coach Ruth Lovelace became the first female head coach of a New York City PSAL champion team this season. Members of the team appeared on Jimmy Fallon's late-night show a week ago.

Here is a clip of the team on late-night TV:



For full Boys & Girls roster, stats and information, click here to their official PSAL page.

Here is an excerpt from a recent New York Post piece with a quote from an opposing coach speaking about Boys & Girls:

“The have a deep roster with a lot of guys around the same size that can play multiple positions. They are a hard team to match up for – they can play with teams that are small and they can also play with teams that are big. … They’re playing well on both ends of the court. They are making shots, they’re playing defense, and that’s what you got to do this time of year. … You got to get out on the shooter and you got to crash the boards, that’s the way to beat those guys. They do a good job crashing the offensive boards. … I like their team. It seems they have one common goal – to win a championship.”

For the full boys Federation schedule, click here.

For a story on CBA's super sophomore Joe Krong, check The Record later this week.
I'll also have a story on Averill Park's Amanda Fitzgerald and a blog post on the Lady Warriors coming soon.
I plan on chatting live from all of the Federation games featuring Section II teams this weekend, so be sure to check back to the blog for more information this weekend.

MATCHUP: Christian Brothers Academy (24-1) faces New York City Catholic High School Athletic Association champion Christ the King (24-6) in a Class AA Federation Tournament of Champions semifinal Saturday at 3:45 p.m.
Winner plays Boys & Girls High in the Class AA title game Sunday at 3 p.m.
TICKETS: $10, available at the door, at www.glensfallscc.com or calling the Civic Center box office, 518-798-0202.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY BROTHERS

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Hgt., Ppg.
23, Galal Cancer, PG, Jr., 6-2, 10.7
10, Max Weaver, SG, Jr., 6-2, 12.5
24, Josh Dennis, G, Sr., 5-10, 4.1
33, Kam Ritter, G/F, Sr., 6-3, 14.7
55, Jack Reilly, C, Sr., 6-3, 4.6

CHRIST THE KING ROYALS

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Hgt., Ppg.
32, T.J. Curry, PG, Jr., 6-1, 6.8
1, Kareem Thomas, G, Sr., 6-0, 5.0
21, Omar Calhoun, SG, Soph., 6-4, 15.6
15, Maurice Barrow, F, Sr., 6-5, 12.4
40, Dominykas Milka, C, Sr., 6-7, 7.0

BOYS & GIRLS KANGAROOS

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Hgt., Ppg.

3, Antoine Slaughter, G, Jr, 5-6, 15.3
10, Mike Taylor, G, Jr., 6-3, 15.8
23, Jeffland Neverson, G/F, Soph., 6-5, 9.7
32, Truck Fludd, G/F, Soph., 6-5, 13.0
21, Leroy Isler, F, Jr., 6-6, 17.8