Landesberg leads NYC to three-peat

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - Prior to tip-off of the Empire State Games' scholastic basketball gold medal game, songwriter David Barrett's &#8220One Shining Moment” blared throughout the Iona College gymnasium.
It was merely a preview for Sylven Landesberg. And a perfect cap to four days full of memories worth remembering for the rising Holy Cross senior and the New York City team.
Landesberg scored a tournament-high 38 points in the final, leading the city to their third straight gold, 76-75, over the Hudson Valley region Sunday afternoon in New Rochelle.
The Flushing resident was just one of a triumvirate of borough stars that were the difference. Jamaica native Justin Newton (Poly Prep) continued to smother the opposition's top scorers, scoring 11 points in the process, and Anthony Martin (Christ the King), a Queens transplant originally from Detroit, Michigan, added 10.
&#8220Anthony and Justin are good players,” Landesberg said. &#8220Justin, he's the best player on his high school team, and Anthony helps a lot with Christ the King. They both can do a lot. In the second half, when they did that, many people were probably surprised. But I wasn't.”
Still, it was Landesberg, the 6-foot-6 pure scorer, who stole the show. He averaged 33.7 points per game. One of the nation's top prospects for the class of 2008, his primary suitors - Virginia Coach Dave Leitao, St. John's Coach Norm Roberts, and Georgia Tech Coach Paul Hewitt - all made the trek to Westchester. He certainly did not disappoint, particularly in the final.
&#8220He scored so easily,” Martin said. &#8220You just know he's going to get 30. It does not seem like 38. He made it look pretty easy.” When reminded he would likely be asked to guard Landesberg when Christ the King takes on the Flushing school, Martin was not quite as excited. &#8220It will be a headache,” he said.
Hudson Valley did their best to make others beat them. They ran double- and triple-teams at Landesberg, forcing the ball out of his hands. They face-guarded him away from the ball, pushing, prodding, and bumping him along the way.
&#8220He really kept his composure,” New York City Coach Don Kent said.
At one time, the Empire State Games was home to New York's best. Stars like Chris Mullin, Walter Berry, Elton Brand, and Ben Gordon would represent their respective regions. However, in the last decade the A.A.U. circuit has taken over summer basketball. The finest athletes travel across the country, playing in showcase tournaments in Las Vegas, California, and Florida.
Landesberg chose a different route. He left Las Vegas early, returning home to fulfill a commitment he made Kent. Looking back, it was obviously a prudent decision.
&#8220Playing in this is a real honor,” he said. &#8220Here people compete, they play more together. They want to win. A.A.U. is basically everybody going for themselves, trying to show the coaches, the scouts. They want to win, but it is more individual, to be noticed. This represents something. We did it for New York City.”