Cardozo Reloads
Every year it seems Cardozo has a new batch of gunners, a new group from disparate Catholic schools eager to earn glory in the PSAL, to win a city championship at Madison Square Garden. This year is no different, although there are a few exceptions.
The Judges are deeper and not all of the stars are new to the Oakland Gardens school. Forward James Southerland, a sweet-shooting 6-foot-7 junior, is Coach Ron Naclerio's jewel. Talented sophomore Hakeem Rodriguez and promising freshman Chris Hampton are also in the mix.
But what will make this group sink or swim, what will differentiate them from Cardozo teams of the last few years, are the transfers. Two of them - rugged forward Edy Toussaint and point guard Trinity Fields, both from Holy Cross - are just juniors. Senior Chris Abney, an agile 6-foot-7 center, is from Christ the King, and then there is shooting guard Justin Garvin, formerly of Storm King and Bayside.
“It's really such a learning situation,” Naclerio said. “I don't love it because I'd rather have it be kids that were totally home grown, but it's a new sign of the times where kids start at a Catholic school, and for monetary reasons, or for whatever reason, they are going to become public school kids.”
Player to Watch: Toussaint. There are other Judges with more talent, but the 6-foot-4 forward possesses what Cardozo has lacked the last two years in short post-season exits - toughness and grit in the paint.
Campus Magnet returns strong group
The chief competitors for Cardozo, Campus Magnet and longtime Coach Charles Granby built their team in the exact opposite manner as their borough rivals. While the Judges bring in all the transfers, the Bulldogs roster is chock full of products of the program.
Three-year senior Keith McAllister and Josiah Peay will lead a young, athletic club that features six players 6-foot-5 and above. Juniors Mennon Chavis and Khalil McDonald, each up from the jayvee (McDonald led them in scoring), should make an immediate impact. The dominant inside duo of McAllister and Peay averaged a combined 26 points per game last year.
Yet, it's point guard Nathaniel Wilson who will be of paramount importance. He started 20 games in the backcourt last year, filling in for the injured Evan Thomas, averaging just over two points per game.
“He's improving,” Granby said. “It's his team to run.” Football lettermen Datalia Holness, Stephan Benjamin, and Kyle O'Quinn will each see time off the bench.
Player to Watch: Wilson. Will the junior be able to handle the Judges' press? If so, Campus Magnet, with their size and physical prowess, may be the best in the borough once again.
New crop for Bryant
William Bryant graduated their entire core. Yet Coach John Demas expects the Owls to challenge this winter. The same team principles remain. Holdovers Jason Campbell, Enes Purisic and 6-foot-2 junior forward Troy Honesty return. “We work a team offense,” Demas said. “Everybody has to share the ball and has a job out there to do. It's team oriented all the way.”
Player to Watch: Campbell. The 6-foot-1 guard averaged over eight points per game as the Owls won Queens I-A. In the realigned Queens AA, the senior will need to lead the way for Bryant to remain near the top.
Rebuilding for Beavers
It has been a while since Jamaica achieved significant success. It may be even longer. The Beavers return just three players - seniors Nyles Bynum and Anar Vyas and junior Afiba Briscoe - on a team that includes two freshmen and four sophomores.
“I have a lot of inexperience,” Jamaica Coach Alex Crossland said. “I'm looking at this year as rebuilding but at the same time I'm still trying to get my guys to compete.”
The three remaining players all primarily came off the bench last season, so naturally Crossland is hoping that experience will pay off. Ruben Smith, a 6-foot-6 newcomer to Jamaica from the Cayman Islands, should fill a needed role.
Player to Watch: Briscoe. The 6-foot-4 forward saw time as a sophomore and will start as a junior. An impact from him is needed.
New Jersey transfer boosts club
Flushing is another program hoping to establish their identity. Coach Charles Richardson hopes youthful exuberance can get it done. The Red Devils have 10 new players after graduating seven seniors.
Promising senior Hassan Salaam, a transfer from Englewood, New Jersey, and junior Jonathan Herrera, who is up from the jayvee where he averaged a double-double, will join returning starters Darin Marshall and Mike Deleon.
Player to Watch: Salaam. Richardson raves about the forward. “He's been a very nice surprise. I like his size and he moves well without the ball.”
Who steps up?
Is there life for Springfield Gardens after Charles Jenkins? The star 6-foot-2 guard now at Hofstra led the Golden Eagles to the second round of the playoffs the last two seasons. Second-year Coach Angelo Buono hopes to have more balance, although his team is almost completely new with the exception of senior point guard Kendo Hammond and Mario Nnani.
Buono is hoping senior Kellon Williams, a 6-foot-6 forward who finally has his grades straight, athletic 6-foot-2 freshman Timmy Johnson, and rangy 6-foot-5 sophomore Travis Butler will all make an impact.
Player to Watch: Hammond. Although he averaged just five points per game, Hammond has what many of the Golden Eagles lack - experience. “He's like another coach on the floor,” Buono said.
Return of Smith could pay dividends
Bayside lost center Chris Lemoine and Cameron Sutton, its two leading scorers, but imposing forward Daryl Brown and guard Taylor Owens are back in the fold for the Commodores. Senior guard Brandon Smith also returns after sitting out a year. In 2005, as a sophomore, he averaged nine points per game and five rebounds.
Player to Watch: Smith. He should add scoring to a lineup that lacks punch.
Knez center of attention
Last season was a down year for Long Island City, finishing just 6-6 in league play. In the ultra competitive Queens AA, a .500 finish wouldn't be so bad. It all depends on 6-foot-7 center Kresimi Knez, who averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds last year. The rest of the team's significant contributors either graduated or didn't return.
Player to Watch: With the rest of the team still largely an unknown quantity, Knez will be the focal point.
