By Anthony Bosco
The team, which finished with an overall log of 19-4, is back again this season to try and get back to the title game. In each of the past six seasons York has made it to championship, last bringing home the title in 1997.
It will not be an easy task for the Cardinals, which return without three key components from last year's club – 7-foot standout center Neil Edwards, guard Herman Turner and power Forward Roderick Burnett.
Even with these losses, York was picked in the preseason coaches' poll to again win the South Division.
“I don't know what these guys were thinking,” said York head coach Ron St. John. “I lose my 7-foot player of the year and an all-star power forward and they put me on top.”
One of the reasons could be St. John's winning percentage since the 1993-94 season, winning 67 percent of all CUNY games and 65 percent of non-conference games.
Returning for York are former Holy Cross High School standout Stanley O'Neil, a 6-foot-3 senior guard with a consistent outside shot. Forward Robert Lindo, out of Beach Channel, is the team's only other senior.
Junior Jason Daniel will be York's point guard and Quincy Oudekerk will look to control the paint. Also back for the Cardinals are guard Alex Malone, forward Timothy McLeod and St. John's son, forward Brandon St. John.
They will be joined by four freshmen, guards Mohammed Cheema and Jesse Cotton and forwards Marvin Gray and Michael Green.
“Two things that we'll definitely have to do this year are control the ball and be able to run with teams in transition,” St. John said.
York will be competing against Staten Island, Medgar Evers, Brooklyn and New York City Tech for the South Division crown.
The Cardinals open their season Friday at St. Vincent's (Pa.).
