By The TimesLedger
Elvir Prasovic Sr. GK Newcomers
There was no one player more important to his team than Prasovic was to Newcomers this year. A mature, agile and intelligent goalkeeper and team leader, Prasovic — who made an average of 20 saves a game — is being courted by several Division I schools, including St. Francis College and Columbia University.
Jason Knese Sr. Def. Bayside
If it weren’t for a knee injury late in the season, Knese may have been the TimesLedger Player of the Year. Knese provided the total package as one of the top defenders in the city. Strong in the air, good on the ground, he always made the correct decision with the ball. Northeastern and Holy Cross are among the Division I schools vying for Knese.
Junior Herrera Jr. Def. Newtown
The big, lumbering defender with surprisingly good ball-handling skills and speed dominated in the air and was usually the one who started the Pioneers’ potent offense with smart passes out of the back. What may be more amazing is that Herrera is an even better goalkeeper, which is the position he plays for his club team, the Brooklyn Knights.
Dariusz Stankiewicz Jr. Def. Newcomers
With Newcomers lacking in talent this year, Stankiewicz was often asked to switch between midfield and defense, depending on the situation, but the junior never complained and played admirably in either situation. Despite being one of the few field players with experience, Stankiewicz still managed three goals and four assists.
Damian Jaworek Sr. Def. Grover Cleveland
Playing in the same division as Newtown, with its several high-profile players, other quality teams and players in Queens A West can easily get overlooked, and quietly Jaworek was one of the boro’s steadiest defenders. And like so many other quality defenders, the key to Jaworek’s success is his smart, simple play out of the back.
Pablo Gil Sr. Mid. Cardozo
Gil’s biggest weapon was not his head or his feet, it was actually his hands. No matter where he threw the ball in, the result was a dangerous ball somewhere in or around the 18-yard box. But by no means was Gil a one-trick pony. The unselfish gritty Gil helped lead the Judges to the city semifinals where they fell 1-0 to eventual champion Martin Luther King with a team-high eight assists to go along with three goals.
David Salazar Sr. Mid. Bayside
While Knese was certainly the Commodores’ brawn this year, Salazar provided the finesse in the middle of the park. A magician with the ball, Salazar was one of the most difficult center midfielders in Queens to defend against. He led Bayside with seven goals and three assists.
Carlos Moncaleano Sr. Mid. Long Island City
Before the season, Moncaleano was known more for his hairstyle, which drew comparisons from Colombia star Carlos Valderamma to Sideshow Bob from “Simpsons” fame. He carried LIC into the playoffs with a team-high nine goals, not including the game-winner against Newtown that was taken away when LIC later forfeited the game for using an ineligible player.
Jose Batista Jr. Mid. Forest Hills
Forest Hills finished second in a very competitive Queens A East division and the young Rangers were led throughout by midfield maestros Batista and Michael Moncada. Batista should be one of the most sought-after players in Queens next year. The versatile Batista, who has excellent ball control, led Forest Hills with 12 goals and 10 assists.
Carlos Llanos Sr. Fwd. John Bowne
Before having to forfeit eight games because it used an ineligible player, Bowne was enjoying its best season in a long time and Llanos was a major reason why. One of the Wildcats team leaders, Llanos had nine goals and six assists and is a sleeper in this year's recruiting class.
Andres Gonzalez So. Fwd. Newtown
After a breakout sophomore season, Gonzalez proved he will be one of the top players in the city the next two years as long as he keeps his cool. When on, the lanky midfielder/forward was unstoppable as he proved against Tottenville in the city semifinals. With Newtown trailing 1-0, Gonzalez tied the game with a remarkable behind-the-back volley from the top of the box. Gonzalez had 12 goals and led Newtown in assists (10) and red cards (three).
2002 TimesLedger All-Queems Second Team
Tommy Martello Sr. GK Francis Lewis
Abad Crosby Jr. Def. Cardozo
Rahmat Mashriqi Sr. Def. Flushing
Gilbert Chaux Jr. Mid. Robert F. Wagner
Ahmed Hassan Sr. Mid. Cardozo
Michael Moncada Sr. Mid. Forest Hills
Mohamad MashriqiSo. Mid. Flushing
David Panchano Jr. Mid. Newtown
Oswald Brown Sr. Mid. Newtown
Keon Bobb Sr. Fwd. Campus Magnet
Ho Sung Yoo Sr. Fwd. Francis Lewis
