By Marc Raimondi
Forest Hills has beaten Thomas Edison, which has beaten Campus Magnet, which has beaten Cardozo. Edison also has beaten Cardozo and the Judges have beaten Forest Hills. Campus Magnet has beaten Forest Hills, too.So, which is the best public-school boys' team in Queens? It's hard to say. Coming into the season and for most of coach Ron Naclerio's 26 years, Cardozo has been the favorite. But not this time.”Are we still the team to beat? No,” Naclerio said.Before this year, the Judges had not lost a league game at home since 2001. Now they've lost twice, to Campus Magnet and Edison. “I think the kids on the team have been humbled by the two close losses,” Naclerio said.The Bulldogs (9-1) currently lead the division with Forest Hills (8-2), Cardozo (7-2) and Edison (7-3) right behind. Campus Magnet is getting it done with senior leadership – veterans Mennon Chavis, Nathaniel Wilson and Kyle O'Quinn lead the way. Forest Hills, which put a scare into Brooklyn powerhouse Robeson over the weekend, is led by sweet shooting junior Andre Armstrong. Edison has a strong returning core with Allan Thomas, Stephon Hodges and Presano Bell, but has gotten contributions from Van Buren transfer Isiah Stokley.As for Cardozo, it's more about what the Judges don't have than what they do. Iona-bound Trinity Fields returns, but the roster is dotted with six new faces. James Southerland and Chris Hampton have both transferred.”I don't know if any team in Queens could take the hits we have,” Naclerio said, “and be where we are.”
