After every loss, Edy Toussaint and Trinity Fields are just getting started. When the two seniors get home, the time to dissect what went wrong begins.
From his bedroom in Cambria Heights, Fields can see Toussaint’s home - they are that close to one another in Southeast Queens. The neighbors and lifelong best friends use that logistical advantage to dissect every setback.
“Every loss we talk about until two in the morning,” Toussaint said. “We talk about what we should’ve done better, how the team is and how he and I can make the team better.”
They usually finish the conversation with their favorite credo: Hard work beats talent if talent does not work hard.
“We love that saying,” Toussaint said.
The two are an interesting dichotomy. Toussaint is the hyper one, always excited prior to each contest while Fields, a talented 6-foot-1 combo guard, quietly listens to his iPod avoiding conversation except to tell his best friend to calm down.
“He really relaxes me,” said Toussaint, who teams with Fields in junior high school as well, winning the city championship for P.S. 192 as eighth graders.
Since losing two league games - the Oakland Gardens school’s first setbacks since 2001 - in the span of two weeks in December, Cardozo has righted the ship thanks to the two. Fields has emerged as the best player in Queens, leading the division in scoring, at 20.5 points per game, while raising his shooting percentage since the turn of the New Year. The Iona-bound guard said he is more relaxed since committing to the New Rochelle school. Most recently, he scored 46 points over two games as the Judges finished second out of four teams in the inaugural SNY Invitational.
Toussaint, meanwhile, has found himself, too. Like Fields, he transferred into Cardozo from Holy Cross with visions of grandeur. It has not all gone according to plan for the undersized 6-foot-3 power forward. However, as the Judges (16-5) have won 11 of 14, Toussaint has featured prominently, upping his season averages to 12.8 points and 8.7 rebounds.
Taller opponents often block his shot, but he is usually there for the put-back. He possesses unrelenting energy, and epitomizes a gritty Cardozo team, that although not as talented as past teams, is pushing forward every day.
Last Friday, for instance, Toussaint suffered a cut lip that required several stitches. He missed a few possessions before returning to the court. The next day, he was in the hospital being sewn up, but was ready for the opening tip that evening.
“I don’t think anybody in the city [works] as much as he does,” Fields said. “He’s a warrior.”
Together, they are bringing the Judges together, Fields with his natural ability and Toussaint’s gritty hustle.
“Those two kids have taken it up a notch,” Cardozo Coach Ron Naclerio said.
While Fields’ college destination is set, Toussaint waits. A few Division II schools have reached out to Naclerio, but Toussaint is waiting for his first offer. Having his best friend around to talk about the frustration is helpful, as is discussing each loss.
It works both ways. When Fields was struggling early, Toussaint was there.
“I know of all people, he’s going to have my back,” Fields said. “If I go to war, I want him there.”
