HOLY CROSS BOYS BASKETBALL

Merlin’s Magic tames Cardozo
BY ZACHARY BRAZILLER
Undoubtedly, Holy Cross will go only as far as their star sophomore and versatile center can take them, but it was the play of an overlooked and inexperienced senior that propelled the Knights to an important 64-59 win over PSAL contender Cardozo in the Tom Crotty Classic at St. John’s University.
Sylvan Landesberg, the talented sophomore, led the way with 20 points, and the 6-foot-9 senior Laurence Jolicoeur added strong play in the paint with 14 points. Yet afterward, Holy Cross Coach Paul Gilvary wanted to talk about Merlin Bass, the senior guard.
“I think what makes a team good is when guys are willing to accept roles,” Gilvary said. “Bass guards the best player on the other team. He handles the ball, plays 30 minutes a game and scores a bit.”
Against Cardozo, he was at his best. A reserve who didn’t see much time on last year’s senior-laden team, Bass scored 14 points, including a crucial offensive rebound and jumper that put the Knights up five late in the second half.
But it’s his defense that is invaluable. Bass kept Cardozo’s explosive guard Sean Crawford under wraps, holding him to just 12 points, six points below his average.
“I thought I did a great job contesting his shots,” Bass said. “I just tried to stay with him.”
He did so, especially late in the contest. Cardozo had rallied from a 13-point second half deficit, and trailed by just two, 58-56, with a little over a minute remaining. Isolated at the top of the key, Crawford tried to take Bass of the dribble, but was unable to get enough separation, and was funneled into traffic; Crawford lost the ball out of bounds and the Knights (10-9, 3-3 CHSAA AA East) would ice the game from the line.
The play typified the defense thrown at Cardozo all afternoon. While Bass locked up Crawford, guards Trinity Fields and Shameel Carty (seven points) limiting Mike Troll, the second half of the Judges’ potent backcourt, to 16 points. “Those two kids are very talented players,” Gilvary said of Troll and Crawford, “and I thought our three guards did a phenomenal job.”
Cardozo (15-2, 13-0 Queens II-A) lost for the second time against a worthy adversary. While the Judges have gone undefeated against league competition, they’ve now lost two of their last three out of divisional play (their other defeat came to highly-rated Poughkeepsie).
“It’s frustrating,” Cardozo Coach Ron Naclerio said. “ … Holy Cross had a lot to do with our struggles. They played well.”