All-Queens First Team
Guard
Erving Walker Christ the King (17.4 PPG)
Whenever the Royals half-court offense broke down, Walker was always there to bail them out with one of his step back rainbow jumpers that brought rain. After an inconsistent sophomore season, the soft-spoken 5-foot-7 Florida Gators-bound guard broke out this year, leading Christ the King to their first city championship since 1995. “Erving was everything we expected him to be,” CK Coach Bob Oliva said. “He was our Mariano Rivera in about four games. Whenever we were down we brought him in and he closed it out. Not many guys can do what he did - take a 14-point deficit and turn it into a three-point lead within four or five minutes.”
Guard
Malachi Peay Campus Magnet (21 PPG, 8 RPG, 3 SPG)
The self-made superstar only improved this season, further developing his all-around offensive game by adding a reliable jump shot and improving his ball handling. As injuries and academics ineligibility ravaged much of the Campus Magnet roster, Peay was their rock - the Bulldogs best player by far on each end of the court. “He had a tremendous year,” Campus Magnet Coach Charles Granby said.
Forward
Ryan Pearson Christ the King (13.9 PPG)
The gangly Far Rockaway resident was the Royals premier low post player with a variety of up-and-under post moves. He also improved his perimeter game to the extent where the opposition had to respect his medium-range jumper. Perhaps no player in the borough is as difficult to keep off the boards as Pearson, who, along with an impressive vertical leap, has a huge wingspan with his long arms. “He had a good year,” Oliva said, “and there’s a lot more to him that we’re going to get.”
Forward
James Southerland Cardozo (17.9 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 3.4 APG)
The knock on the 6-foot-7 Southerland before this season was he too often strayed to the perimeter and didn’t make enough of an impact in the paint. That notion disappeared this year as he became a factor on both ends of the court. For that reason, the Floral Park native with unlimited range and athleticism has earned a scholarship to Syracuse. “Not only did he grow as a player and a person,” Cardozo Coach Ron Naclerio said, “He also had to grow from being a second-fiddle guy to a major, major piece.”
Forward
Michael Cavataio St. Francis Prep (22 PPG, 9 RPG, 4 APG)
Cavataio made the most of his only year of varsity basketball, leading St. Francis Prep to their best year in several seasons. The 6-foot-4 Christ the King transfer, who is headed to St. John’s University next fall, led the Terriers in virtually every category. A prototypical small forward with a superb midrange jumper, Cavataio guided the Terriers to upsets of local rivals Molloy and St. Francis Prep in addition to the Monsignor King Tournament crown. “He carried us on his shoulders all year,” St. Francis Prep Coach Tim Leary said. “He did everything we asked him to do.”
Player of the Year – Sylven Landesberg
(25.7 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.6 APG) Holy Cross
Before the 6-foot-5 swingman even began his varsity career as a sophomore at Holy Cross, greatness was predicted. Many felt Landesberg would become the best player to ever play at the Flushing school. Two years later, he has not only lived up to the hype yet surpassed it.
The Flushing resident led the Catholic League in scoring the last two years, and averaged a double-double this season. With 1,232 career points, Landesberg trails the school’s all-time leader in points, Willie Dersch, by just 168. Landesberg, who’s being actively recruited by several ACC and Big East schools, also improved his ball-handling, passing out of almost constant double-teaming defenses, leading the Knights to their first Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan crown since 1978, and a spot in the CHSAA intersectional semifinals.
“Obviously, he’s a very talented player,” Holy Cross Coach Paul Gilvary said, “and he’s got a very good work ethic, and I think when you combine those things, you get the results that he’s been able to achieve so far.”
Coach of the Year – Bob Oliva Christ the King
He may have had the most talent in Queens, but winning the school’s first city championship since 1995 - and his fourth overall title - was certainly an accomplishment. Furthermore, Oliva turned around the struggling Royals late in the year, guiding them to the state final.
All-Queens Second Team
Guard
Trinity Fields (18 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 6.4 APG), Cardozo
Guard
Malik Boothe (7.8 PPG), Christ the King
Center
Andrew Gabriel (9.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG), Christ the King
Forward
Kayvon Roberts (10.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.7 APG), Holy Cross
Forward
Devin Brown (15 PPG, 10.8 RPG), Edison
All-Queens Third Team
Guard
Ryan Davis (17.1 PPG, 4.5 APG), Bayside
Guard
Rocco Rubino (15.3 PPG), Archbishop Molloy
Guard
Allan Thomas (16 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.6 APG), Edison
Forward
Kresimi Knez (27.7 PPG, 19.7 RPG), Long Island City
Forward
Roberto Colonette (23.6 PPG, 23.4 RPG, 4.4 APG), Robert Kennedy
