First Team
Japhet McNeil PG. Sr. Christ the King
McNeil, who averaged 18 points per game, 6.5 assists and shot 83 percent from the line, could easily have been co-player of the year with backcourt mate Mitchell Beauford. McNeil surpassed the 1,000-point plateau in his senior year, finishing with 1,113 career points in leading his team to the CHSAA state championship, scoring a career-high 27 points against intersectionals champ St. Raymond’s.
Marlon Smith PG. Sr. Archbishop Molloy
Smith had a stellar senior season, averaging 18.5 points, 4.1 assists, 4.25 rebounds and 2 steals per game in helping the Stanners reach the CHSAA city semifinals. Against Rice in the quarters, Smith had a career game, scoring 28 points, including the game-winning shot over 7-foot-2 Shagari Alleyne in the waning moments.
Bryan Geffen PG. Jr. St. Francis Prep
The 5-foot-9 guard out of Bayside had another standout season, even though St. Francis Prep finished just 5-8 in league play. Geffen ended up third in the CHSAA Division I race for the scoring crown, averaging 21.3 points per game, including a high-water mark of 35 against Queens rival Archbishop Molloy. He should be a standout performer for the Terriers next season.
Bradd Wierzbicki G/F. Sr. Cathedral Prep
This 6-foot-1 string bean out of Cathedral Prep managed to beat out every other player in the CHSAA to win the league’s overall scoring title, averaging 26.1 points per game and leading the Crusaders to a win over Archbishop Walsh in the CHSAA ‘C’ state championship game. The Maspeth native should be headed to Queens College in the fall.
Brian Williams F/C. Sr. Christ the King
Called the “heart” of the Christ the King team by coach Bob Oliva, Williams proved to be an invaluable player for the Royals during the team’s stretch run that led to a Catholic state title. As hard a worker under the boards as the CHSAA saw this season, Williams averaged 12.5 points per game, including a 27-point effort against Bishop Loughlin.
Sundiata Gaines SG. Jr. Archbishop Molloy
Only a junior, Gaines played more like a fifth-year senior this season, leading Molloy in scoring with 22 points per game. A slasher who could also hit the outside shot, Gaines’ best performance of the season came in a non-league encounter against Kellenberg, in which he scored 36.
Justin Marshall F-C. Sr. Christ the King
Marshall, like teammate Brian Williams, went largely unsung this season, battling under the glass for the state-championship winning Royals. The 6-foot-7 center out of Corona was a third-team CHSAA All Division I selection and will play at Iona College next year.
Nick Hamilton-Lopez SG. Jr. McClancy
The Crusaders had a less-than-stellar season competing in the league dubbed the best in the nation, but Hamilton-Lopez was one of the bright spots. The junior was forced into the role of scorer early in the season and responded by averaging 17.3 points per game, including a 32-point performance in an win against St. Francis Prep.
Jamel Bedford PG. Sr. St. John’s Prep
Bedford was more of a cog in the machine for the St. John’s Prep Red Storm than the star, helping lead coach Jimmy Gatto’s club to a second-place finish in the Division II South regular season standings and a spot in the ‘B’ intersectional semifinals. He averaged just more than 10 points per game, but was clutch in the post season, scoring 17 against Hayes in semis.
Ramose Modesto PG. Sr. Holy Cross
It was sometimes difficult to identify Modesto when playing with Holy Cross, largely because most of his teammates were exactly the same size and all played similar games. But Modesto’s consistency and ability to run the show made the Knights a tough win.
Ivan Marnika F. Sr. Archbishop Molloy
Gordon McKenzie G. So. Holy Cross
William Borgolte F. Jr. McClancy
Ray Tinneny F. Sr. Cathedral Prep
Chris Martin G. So. Christ the King
