by Ryan James
bassgemrj@hotmail.com
 The Hopkins Royals have played four times; and four times they beat name programs by double figures plus. Minneapolis Henry, Benilde-St. Margaret's, Henry Sibley, and Robinsdale Cooper have all stepped up and got knocked out by the once again strong Hopkins program.
Although not number one in the rankings right now, the Royals are number two and many feel that this group will be on top of the mountain when it's all said and done. The group is a junior class that is just sick with talent as the seven-man rotation includes five of those elite 2009 kids.
Inside for the Royals is their senior leadership in seven-footer Anthony had a season high ten points Friday night against Henry Sibley as the Royals smothered the Warriors 89-61 and DiLoreto's starting to get his grove with this team of stars.
Anthony will be on a division one campus next fall as he chose Cal Poly for his future destination signing with the program this past November. Cal Poly has been the right program for several Minnesotans over the years and Anthony was just as impressed.
"I know Cal Poly is the right fit for me because it will not only be able to challenge me on the court but also challenge me in the classroom," explained the Hopkins center. "I am very excited about competing at the D1 level. Coach (Kevin) Bromley, of Cal Poly, is a great coach because he will coach me as a person as well as a player."
 DiLoreto had a very important summer playing with the Minnesota Magic Stars team as he showed off his improving scoring touch from ten feet and in, plus he proved he can catch and finish strong in the paint.
Schools also saw a seven footer with a high basketball IQ on the court playing intelligently on both ends. Anthony is a seven-footer who teammates trusted to have the ball plus he rebounded and blocked shots on the summer circuit. This all turned into several choices for the Hopkins big man. "I received eight D1 offers and had interest from 73 schools," said DiLoreto. "In the end the two top offers were, of course Cal Poly, and Fordham."
Anthony will join Maranatha Christian Academy's David Hanson as freshmen at Cal Poly next fall and join a long list of Minnesota players to head out to the west coast school. The Mustangs currently have three Minnesotans on the team including David Hanson's older brother Matt Hanson, former Minneapolis South standout Zach Thurow, and former Minnetonka Skipper John Manley. Other former Minnesota athletes who performed at Cal Poly include Shane Schilling, Mitch Ohnstad, Chris Bjorklund, and Jabar Washington.
Players coming out of the Hopkins basketball factory are known for their high IQ on the court and most of them play with a toughness on the floor. DiLoreto credits his staff on getting him to play at a high enough level to received eight D-1 offers.
"Coach Novak and all of the other coaches at Hopkins have always helped me become a better player because they have believed in me from the start and always knew how to push me to my potential."
An accepted scholarship now in hand Anthony DiLoreto is now looking for the ultimate goal at the high school level. "For the upcoming season I hope that through all our hard work, at the end of the year we will be able to compete for a state title!"
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