Boro Bounce: December 6, 2021

It's been a long time coming, but basketballs are finally bouncing again in high school gyms around the boroughs, and beyond. In some cases, far beyond.

Christ the King's boys and girls teams both traveled to California to compete in the Chosen - 1s Invitational at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The boys squad topped Fairfax 51-42, with Dwayne Pierce leading CTK with 20 points. The Lady Royals fell to Sierra Canyon 69-52.

CHSAA Archdiocese heavyweight Archbishop Stepinac opened its 2021-22 campaign with an impressive 46-43 win over DMV powerhouse St. John's (DC) at the National HS Hoops Festival at DeMatha High School on Saturday. Senior Samuel Gibbs scored 21 points for the Crusaders and was named game MVP. Stepinac will visit Holy Cross in Flushing on Tuesday and will be tested by Cardinal Hayes in the Bronx on Friday.

Xaverian opened its season with a road win on Friday night, defeating Holy Cross 75-66, and followed that up with another win in Queens, topping St. Anthony's (LI) 52-44 at the Tom Konchalski Classic at Archbishop Molloy on Sunday. Nico Pena (21 points), Supreme Niles (17 points) and Aaron Goldstein (16 points) led the way for the Clippers in the win over Holy Cross. Devin Grant scored a game-high 24 points for Holy Cross.

St. Francis Prep is 2-0 after a 70-50 win over St. Mary's (LI) in the opener at the Tom Konchaliski Classic.

In other action at Molloy on Sunday, Mount St. Michael defeated Holy Trinity (LI) 68-59, while the host Stanners edged CHSAA A Division contender Monsignor Farrell 46-41 in the finale. 

Monsignor Scanlan is 2-0 after two road wins at Iona Prep in New Rochelle on Friday night (60-55) and at St. Peter's on Staten Island on Sunday (50-48). The Crusaders will visit Bronx rival St. Raymond on Friday night. The Ravens dropped their opener at home against Cardinal Hayes 74-65.    

In upcoming PSAL action, Brooklyn AA rivals Thomas Jefferson and South Shore will meet in East New York on Tuesday, with each team 2-0 in league play so far. A similarly intriguing early season matchup will be played in the Queens AA on Tuesday, with John Bowne visiting rival Cardozo, both teams also 2-0 in league play.

Cardinal Hayes (24) and Archbishop Stepinac (29) were nationally ranked in the Ballislife Fab 50 published on Monday night. Christ the King, South Shore and Xaverian were listed as Bubble teams.