PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tina Charles, Christ the King. What else can be said for this Jamaica resident who swept Player of the Year honors (Miss New York Basketball, Gatorade National Player of the Year, WBCA National Player of the Year, and McDonald’s All-American), led the Royals to their second straight undefeated season, a state title, and the top spot in USA TODAY’s Super 25 rankings. Furthermore, Charles broke the school’s record for points in a game with 49 against Bishop Ford and owns CTK’s career rebounding mark with 1,224.
PSAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Vionca Murray, Francis Lewis. If not for Tina Charles, Vionca Murray is the best player in Queens the last two years. Even with Charles’ presence, the Virginia Tech-bound Murray, voted first-team all-state, has arguably the best all-around offensive game in the city, with impressive range, outstanding post moves and a keen understanding of maneuvering amidst double teams. In just two years at Francis Lewis, she accumulated 1,092 points, fourth all-time.
CHSAA PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Lorin Dixon, Christ the King. Charles may be best player in the country, but the speedy Dixon, who scored 34 points in the state finals, will be one of the top guards in the country next winter. If the former track star can extend the range on her jump shot, CTK may be looking at a three-peat and Dixon will be the one receiving all the accolades next March.
CHSAA GAME OF THE YEAR: Christ the King over Murry Bergtraum at Madison Square Garden. At an electric Madison Square Garden featuring the top two teams in the country, this was an instant classic, with Bergtraum fighting back from a double-digit deficit only for Charles to win it at the buzzer on a short jumper.
PSAL GAME OF THE YEAR: Francis Lewis topping Grand St. Campus to reach third straight PSAL Class A finals. The victory still led to another defeat at Madison Square Garden to their nemesis, Murry Bergtraum. But after losing three starters and falling to Grand Street Campus during the regular season, this was a significant accomplishment, one many predicted Lewis would be unable to attain.
CHSAA MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER: Sky Lindsay, Christ the King. It’s easy to look past Lindsay, with Tina Charles overshadowing her in the paint and the speedy Lorin Dixon blazing around the perimeter. But Lindsay, a tremendous combo guard with an impressive jumper, was always the focal point for the Royals in their biggest games, especially the state final win over Murry Bergtraum, when she scored 16 points.
PSAL MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER: Sylvia Davis, Francis Lewis. Many didn’t realize what a blow it was to Francis Lewis when Davis, their starting point guard, was academically ineligible for the playoffs in March of 2005. This year, she played the entire season, and was the third scorer the Patriots sorely needed behind Vionca Murray and Diatiema Hill. If her 18-point performance at Madison Square Garden in the PSAL Class A city championship is any indication, Davis may be in for a breakout junior year.
CHSAA COACH OF THE YEAR: Bob Mackey, Christ the King. Sure, he had the horses. But leading CTK to their second straight national championship and undefeated season - a first in the Royals vast girls basketball history - is nothing to scoff at. There’s a reason the Royals are so much better than everybody else - and it’s not in talent alone.
PSAL COACH OF THE YEAR: Michael Eisenberg, Francis Lewis. Unlike Mackey, Eisenberg, arguably, didn’t have the best talent in his league but still got the most out of his group. When the year started, Cardozo was expected to challenge the Patriots, but behind Diatiema Hill and Vionca Murray, Francis Lewis improved their consecutive league win streak to an unprecedented 78 games. Their coach surely has something to do with such a dominant stretch.
CHSAA PLAYER WITH MOST UPSIDE: Angie Waterman, Archbishop Molloy. Waterman put together an impressive year, leading the Stanners in points, rebounds and blocked shots. And with the dominant Charles no longer around, the junior center - second in Molloy history in blocked shots - may be the top inside presence in the CHSAA next season if she can gain consistency around the basket.
PSAL PLAYER WITH MOST UPSIDE: Patrice Lewis, August Martin. Lewis saved her best for the playoffs, scoring 20 points in a playoff victory over Norman Thomas. This rangy, athletic and gifted 6-foot-3 freshman forward has the talent to be the best PSAL player in the borough.
COURIER’S ALL-BOROUGH TEAM: Center-Tina Charles (26.5 PPG, 14.8 RPG, 5.2 BPG), Christ the King; Power Forward-Vionca Murray (22.1 PPG, 8.9 RPG), Francis Lewis; Small Forward-Sky Lindsay (13.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG), Christ the King; Shooting Guard-Diatiema Hill (15.2 PPG, 7.2 APG), Francis Lewis; Point Guard-Lorin Dixon (11.8 PPG, 7.1 APG), Christ the King.
COURIER’S ALL-CHSAA TEAM: Center-Angie Waterman (11 PPG, 10 RPG), Archbishop Molloy; Power Forward-Maral Javadifar, Mary Louis; Small Forward-Amanda Burakoski, Mary Louis; Shooting Guard-Kerri White (8 PPG, 4 APG), Archbishop Molloy; Point Guard-Casey Shevlin, Mary Louis.
COURIER’S ALL-PSAL TEAM: Center-Andrea Buckham (17.7 PPG, 11.4 RPG), Flushing; Power Forward-Natalie Young (19.9 PPG, 10.7 RPG), John Adams; Small Forward-Patrice Lewis (13 PPG, 8 RPG), August Martin; Shooting Guard-Helin Marte (27.7 PPG, 9.3 RPG) Richmond Hill; Point Guard-Marissa Flagg (15.5 PPG, 5 APG), Cardozo.
