By Joseph Staszewski
The dawn of the new year provided us with a moment to look back on the events of the last 365 days, so I took the time to recognizes the top players, coaches and performances during the year in Queens high school sports. Here is a look at who and what made the cut.
Program of the Year: St. Francis Prep
No school has won more across the board than the Terriers. The Fresh Meadows school is home to the CHSAA girls’ volleyball and tennis state champions. Its boys’ soccer team won the CHSAA city title and reached the state final. The Terriers football team returned to the CHSFL’s ‘AAA’ playoffs and the softball fell in the diocesan championship series. Add to that its boys’ handball team’s 11th straight unbeaten city title and you have success across multiple sports.
Athlete of the Year: Jon Severe, Christ the King boys’ basketball
Severe, now at Fordham University, ended his career in stellar fashion. The Royals’ shooting guard became the school’s first New York State Mr. Basketball. He led CK to their second Federation Class AA title in the last four years and did so by setting a tournament single game and overall scoring mark with help from a 40-point performance in the semifinals.
Coach of Year: Marco Migliaccio, Construction softball
Migliaccio and the Red Hawks reached the mountaintop this season. Four years after wining the PSAL Class B title, they knocked off league power Tottenville in dramatic fashion to win the school’s first Class AA softball title. Construction beat the Pirates twice this season. It was the culmination of years of work for Migliaccio and his staff.
Comeback Athlete of the Year: Cesar Oviedo, Christ the King boys’ soccer
The Royals senior missed time early in the season after getting banged up against Archbishop Molloy and his team struggled without him. Oviedo didn’t miss a beat when he returned and remained one of the league’s top strikers. He helped lead CK back to the CHSAA Class AA semifinals.
Best Newcomer: Anja Malesevic, Benjamin Cardozo girls’ volleyball
Malesevic isn’t an underclassman or new to the sport, but she is new to the country and the Judges. The senior emigrated from Serbia to become one of the city’s most dominant outside hitters. She helped lead Cardozo to the school’s third PSAL Class A city title in the last four years.
Best Halftime Meal: Christ the King
Nothing beats the spread outside the Father John Savage gymnasium. You can quickly pick up a warm pretzel or a delicious pizza bagel and wash it down with numerous drink choices.
Game of the Year: Holy Cross vs. St. Francis Prep football, CHSFL ‘AAA’ quarterfinal
No game between Queens rivals garnered as much hype and lived up to it. It was the first playoff meeting in the Battle of the Boulevard since 1997 and SFP’s first ‘AAA’ post-season game since 2008. Holy Cross held on for a 20-13 win, thanks to a 65-yard punt return from Terriers killer Brandon Jackson.
Story of the Year: Archbishop Molloy Coach Jack Curran dies
After 55 years of coaching, Curran’s death was not just a Queens story, but a national one. Kind words and well-wishes poured in from around the country after he died in his sleep at the age of 82. The legendary Curran, the nation’s winningest basketball and baseball coach, will be remembered more for the number of lives he touched than the victories and titles he earned.
Quote of the Year
“Since most of us were relocated, our school was relocated, it was hard to practice together and have a stable environment. It feels great and it’s really awesome to win for Rockaway.” — Jessica Glaz, after scoring 19 points to lead Scholars Academy to its third-straight PSAL Class B girls’ basketball title
