Class B schools off to flying start

Ten Queens schools qualified for the PSAL Class B postseason. Four of them advanced to the second round, led by top-seeded Academy of American Studies, who routed No. 32 Info Tech, 75-34, behind 20 points and 14 rebounds by Crystal James. Kaitlin Fitzgerald added 11 points and 10 assists and Raquel Gutierrez had 13.
The undefeated Eagles (27-0) will meet No. 16 Queens High School of Teaching, 51-50 winners over No. 17 George Westinghouse, February 27. Shanade Bernard led the way with 14 points and 16 rebounds and Tess McRae had 13 points and 11 boards.
Behind 15 points from Brigette Knight No. 5 Springfield Gardens, the Queens B-1 champions knocked off No. 28 Harry Van Arsdale, 50-46. The Golden Eagles will host No. 12 Goldstein, who bested Forest Hills, 58-45. No. 11 Grover Cleveland was the borough’s final entrant to advance, outlasting No. 22 New Utrecht, 60-44. Nancy Byhoff scored 14 points in the win. The Tigers meet sixth-seeded Secondary School in the next round February 27.
Queens did not fare nearly as well in Class A competition - all three teams in action last week lost in the opening round. Long Island City, the 21st seed, fell to No. 9 MLK, 64-31; eighth-seeded Bronx Science walloped No. 25 Bayside, 71-51; and No. 20 Townsend Harris was smoked by No. 13 Fort Hamilton, 57-35. Queens’ top seeds, No. 6 John Bowne and No. 7 Martin Van Buren, the co-Queens A champs, received byes.
In PSAL Class AA action, No. 18 Benjamin Cardozo’s season ended in a 51-42 loss to No. 15 Frederick Douglass Academy. Cici Palmer led the Judges with 16 points and Samantha Merstein chipped in with 10.

- Zachary Braziller