The Courier’s Girls Basketball All-Queens Teams
All-Queens First Team
Guard Casey Shevlin Mary Louis (19 PPG, 10 APG, 5 SPG)
Leading Mary Louis to their second-ever New York State Federation title, Shevlin was Ms. Clutch down the stretch in all three-tournament games, always grabbing the important rebound, knocking down the clinching free throws, or sinking the game winning shot. In the Catholic Class A state final against defending champion St. Peter’s, the 5-foot-7 senior hit 7-of-8 free throws down the stretch while navigating the Eagles’ tenacious full court press.
“Nothing rattled her,” Mary Louis Coach Joe Lewinger said. “She had this win-or-nothing-else attitude. I just loved to have the ball in her hands with everything on the line.
Guard Irene Rynasewycz Molloy (11 PPG, 9 RPG, 3 APG)
It wasn’t the best season for the Stanners, but Rynasewycz, their senior lead guard, was one of the few bright spots, leading Molloy in scoring and serving as their top defender. Moreover, despite being the shortest player on the team at 5-foot-4, she was their top rebounder, serving as “the sparkplug of the team,” Coach John McGlynn said of the SUNY-Purchase-bound Rynasewycz. “She was a very hard-nosed player. It is a shame she was not taller. She played much bigger than her size.”
Forward Amanda Burakoski Mary Louis (20 PPG, 9 RPG, 4 SPG)
The scintillating 6-foot sophomore saved her best for the season’s seminal moments. There was her career-high 33-point performance in a mid-season victory over Brooklyn rival Bishop Kearney, 25 against national power Christ the King in the Brooklyn/Queens final, 29 more in the Catholic Class A state final upset over St. Peter’s, and 17 points and nine rebounds in the State Federation Class A final victory.
“She came up big in the biggest games,” Mary Louis Coach Joe Lewinger said. “She definitely has the potential be a great player.”
Forward Natasha Pierre-Louis Newtown (17.6 PPG, 14 RPG, 2.8 APG)
There really wasn’t anything Pierre-Louis didn’t do for Newtown. She scored more in the regular season - up three points a game - from last year, and developed into a better rebounder, ball-handler, distributor and defender. And once the playoff began, the 5-foot-10 forward was near dominant, scoring over 28 points per game in five contests, and leading the Pioneers to their first appearance in the finals.
“Every game we played in the playoffs, she got better and better,” Newtown Coach John Sarrantonio said.
Center Adenike Oyesile Cardozo (15.2 PPG, 17.7 RPG)
This sure wasn’t the senior year the 6-foot center, nor her teammates, were expecting - Cardozo finished second in Queens AA and lost in the opening round of the playoffs - but Oyesile, a St. Peter’s recruit, still owned the paint in Queens. Averaging a double-double for the third straight season, she greatly improved her overall offensive game by developing a short jumper and a better understanding of how to make an impact in the low post.
Player of the Year Lorin Dixon (17 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 5.4 APG) Christ the King
Everyone knew Dixon would be able to put up major numbers this season. As the fastest player in the state, the 5-foot-4 lead guard got to the basket at will. But perhaps what no one expected, even her coach, Bob Mackey, was how complete a season the University of Connecticut-bound Dixon would enjoy without a low-post presence to rely on.
And when teammate and backcourt mate, Sky Lindsay, abruptly quit the team prior to the playoffs, Dixon took on more responsibility, willing the Royals to the CHSAA Brooklyn/Diocesan championship over Mary Louis, their 23rd straight, and an upset over favored St. Michael Academy in the state semifinals.
“She gave everything she could,” Mackey said of the Springfield Gardens native. “She came to play every day.”
In addition to her playmaking abilities, Dixon added surprising work on the boards and tenacious on-the-ball pressure to her arsenal. “She really stepped it up a notch,” Mackey said.
The fifth Christ the King player to be named Miss New York State Basketball - an award given to the top senior - Dixon also shined in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s (WBCA) All-American Game.
Coach of the Year Joe Lewinger Mary Louis
Led Mary Louis to their second ever state crown, the Federation Class A title, and nearly upset heavily-favored Christ the King in the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan final. Lewinger was able to refocus the Hilltoppers after that demoralizing defeat, and guide them to one of the biggest upsets in school history when they shocked the defending state champs, St. Peter’s.
All-Queens Second Team
Guard Lekesha Harris (14.8 PPG, 7 RPG, 3.6 APG), Cardozo
Guard Sylvia Davis (11.9 PPG, 6.8 APG, 3.8 RPG), Francis Lewis
Guard Kerri White (7 PPG, 7 RPG, 3 APG), Molloy
Forward Zaconja Bethea (25.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG), Richmond Hill
Forward Avery Sibbley (18 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 7.1 APG), Martin Van Buren
All-Queens Third Team
Guard Andree De Leon (11.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG), Francis Lewis
Guard Samantha Johnson (15.4 PPG 8.2 RPG), Martin Van Buren
Forward Patrice Lewis (21 PPG, 10.4 RPG), August Martin
Forward Maral Javadifar (10.6 PPG, 9.6 RPG), Mary Louis
Center Bianca Jones (19 PPG, 17.3 RPG), Long Island City
Honorable Mention
Geliessa George Christ the King
Angelina Waterman Molloy
Cadie Chu Bayside
Rebekah Thompson John Bowne
Nicole Van Allen Townsend Harris
Elisha Raiford William Bryant
Krystina Agard August Martin
Crystal James American Studies
Radasha Moore Robert Wagner
Jaleesa Gordon Campus Magnet
