Landesberg leaves memorable legacy

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. - Sylven Landesberg’s high school finale did not finish the way he imagined. It ended with him on the bench, a towel wrapped around his neck, Holy Cross on the wrong end of the scoreboard.
The Knights’ 86-67 loss to Lincoln in the state Federation Class AA final at the Glens Falls Civic Center was the only thing that did not go the Whitestone resident’s way his senior season.
He became the Flushing school’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing the 2,000-point plateau; played in the McDonald’s All-American game; was named Mr. New York Basketball - the award given to the state’s finest senior, which he received following the defeat - in addition to being voted the Catholic league’s Player of the Year a second consecutive season and Gatorade’s New York Player of the Year.
Landesberg, who averaged 29 points, 12 rebounds and three assists per game, also carried Cross to their first city championship in 40 years, scoring 14 points in the final quarter of the transcendent 56-48 victory over Christ the King at Fordham University March 9. In his final test, against Lance Stephenson, his one-time friend and roommate turned adversary, the 6-foot-6 Virginia-bound swingman excelled.
He scored 31 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field and grabbed 11 rebounds. He guarded the Internet reality show star, limiting him to 16 points while keeping the Knights in the game as long as possible.
“He did great,” Gilvary said when asked how Landesberg fared against Stephenson, the top-ranked player in the class of 2009. “Lance is a great player, there’s no question about it. He is a tremendously talented player, but Sylven is Mr. Basketball in New York State for a reason. He’s a special player.”
Landesberg accomplished more than any player in Cross history, leading the Catholic league in scoring all three years of varsity basketball while lifting the program to elite status those seasons. When he was sent to the bench with 3:01 remaining and Lincoln leading 84-67, Landesberg felt the disappointment set in, but he wouldn’t change a thing.
“This would’ve been nice, another notch under our belt, but it was such a great season, I can’t complain,” Landesberg said. “We brought grown men to tears after we won the city championship. I don’t think anything could top that.”