BishopAccountability.org
	Christ the King Keeps Eye on State Federation Championship, Tries to Ignore Bob Oliva Case By Mark Lelinwalla and Mitch Abramson New York Daily News March 27, 2010 http://www.bishop-accountability.org/AbuseTracker/ NEW YORK -- The Christ the King boys basketball team says it is focused on winning a state Federation championship, refusing to let the news of Bob Oliva get in the way. Oliva, the former legendary basketball coach of CK, was indicted by a Massachussets grand jury Thursday on two counts of child rape. The Royals (24-6) will face Christian Brothers Academy (Albany) in the state Federation Class AA semifinals Saturday afternoon in Glens Falls, N.Y. A win would propel the Royals to the championship game against Boys & Girls tomorrow. "We're here to play basketball," said coach Joe Arbitello, who took over the Royals program from Oliva in 2009. "We're here to win a state championship. My kids don't care. That's the honest-to-God truth." The players are trying to block out Oliva's situation to capture the school's first state Federation title since 1989, when Oliva coached CK to victory over Adlai Stevenson. Oliva resigned last year amid sex abuse allegations. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. "Honestly, no I don't care," said senior power forward Roland Brown, one of two current Royals to have played for Oliva. "I played for him one year. Whatever happened with him in the past is his business." The Lady Royals (24-5) are also in Glens Falls and will meet undefeated Bergtraum (25-0) today in a much-anticipated Class AA semifinal. The winner will face Sachem East (Suffolk County) in the championship tomorrow. "I'm up here with the kids, trying to coach a basketball game and that's our main focus right now," CK girls coach Bob Mackey said. "The kids are focused and we're thinking about the game."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.