By Dylan Butler
Partially because of Vic Morris, the Cardozo boys’ basketball team was slated to play Beach Channel in the Queens Borough championship game Tuesday at Elmcor.
But because of Morris, who averaged 17.5 points in wins over Newtown and August Martin, the Judges were forced to forfeit those two victories because the sophomore point guard played despite being ruled academically ineligible.
Morris became ineligible Friday, when report cards were distributed to Cardozo students.
“There was a miscommunication, and once the error was discovered the player was ruled ineligible,” said Cardozo principal Rick Hallman. “There was no change in his eligibility and I notified [PSAL boys basketball commissioner] Mel Goldstein.”
“We try and run a good program and support academics at the same time,” Hallman added.
The forfeits open the door for Newtown and August Martin, which learned Monday they would play each other Tuesday, with the winner facing Beach Channel in the Queens Borough championship game, rescheduled for Wednesday at Elmcor at 5 p.m.
Morris is also ineligible for the upcoming PSAL playoffs, and the forfeits, which drop Cardozo’s record to 19-7, are especially damaging because the Judges were expected to be one of the top-seeded teams in the 32-team field.
The seedings are scheduled for Friday.
“I’m very disappointed in him, to see him slack off is very disappointing,” said Cardozo coach Ron Naclerio. “When we found out we did what we thought the ethical thing is.”
August Martin 64, Newtown 59. Kurt Monroe, who missed Saturday’s game against Cardozo because of religious observance, had 21 points and 8 assists and Jenar Harrison, despite missing most of the first half after picking up his second foul with 3:05 left in the first quarter, added 18 points — 16 in the second half — and 14 rebounds for August Martin (18-6) Tuesday at August Martin.
Tyshawn Bierra scored 19 points and Alberto Ortiz added 12 on four three-pointers for Newtown, which led the whole game and was up 49-43 at end of the third quarter. But the Skyriders rallied to outscore the Pioneers 21-10 in the fourth quarter to advance to the Queens Borough championship game against Queens III-A rival Beach Channel. The Dolphins won the first three meetings.
“I honestly believe my kids are just starting to wear down,” said August Martin coach James Kearney. “I don’t know why we’re not responding to prime time requirements. I take the blame.”
Beach Channel 62, Far Rockaway 56. Rahshon Clark scored 22 points, Arthur Robertson netted 18 and Victor Alvarez had 11 points for Beach Channel in the Queens Borough semifinals Saturday at John Bowne. Richard Forbes, who leads the city in scoring (30.1 points per game), scored a game-high 28 points and Warren McAllister added 12 for Far Rock (20-4) in the fourth battle of Rockaway.
August Martin 78, Jamaica 65. Harrison had 23 points and 8 rebounds and freshman Laurence Thomas added 23 points and 10 boards for the Skyriders Friday in the Queens Borough quarterfinals. Desmond Frazier had 23 points and Kevin St. Pierre added 18 for No. 8 Jamaica.
Beach Channel 66, Forest Hills 45. Robertson scored 21 points and Clark added 16 for the Dolphins in the Queens Borough quarterfinals Friday over No. 7 Forest Hills.
Far Rockaway 81, Bayside 50. Forbes led the SeaHorses with 19 points and 12 assists, Sheldon Scott added 19 points and McAllister had 16 points and 12 rebounds in the Queens Borough quarterfinals Friday over sixth-seeded Bayside.
Reach Associate Sports Editor Dylan Butler by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 1-718-229-0300, Ext. 143.
