By Joseph Staszewski
Queens had one of its best boys’ basketball seasons in recent years.
Christ the King won its fourth CHSAA intersectional championship in the last five seasons and its second-straight state Federation Class AA crown. To do so, it had to beat Benjamin Cardozo in the state semifinals. The Judges took down four Brooklyn schools to win their first PSAL city title since 1999.
Construction, after moving up from the ‘A,’ defeated the Judges for the Queens title earlier in the year, and Archbishop Molloy played its first season in 55 years without legendary Coach Jack Curran, who died last January. This year also marked the 45th and final season for legendary Campus Magnet Coach Charles Granby.
Here are the players selected as the best in Queens:
All-Queens Player of the Year: Rawle Alkins, Christ the King
The sophomore guard made clutch plays at the biggest moments of the Royals’ state Federation title run. He scored 24 points, buried a huge three-pointer and contained Loughlin star Khadeen Carrington in the CHSAA final.
Alkins, who averaged 17 points per game during the regular season, also hit the tying trey with 50 seconds to go in state semifinals against Cardozo. Alkins has lived up to the hype about him.
All-Queens Coach of the Year: Ron Naclerio, Benjamin Cardozo
The longtime Judges coach broke down crying after winning his first PSAL city title in 15 years. The victory washed away years of frustration for Naclerio, who takes each loss to heart.
He turned in one of his best coaching jobs this season. Naclerio picked his team back up after losing in the borough final and brought out the best in star sophomore Rashond Salnave and his hungry group of seniors.
All-Queens First Team
F Travis Atson, Christ the King
Atson burst onto the scene and emerged as one of the city’s best and most consistent players. The junior won the MVP of the Stop-DWI Holiday Classic and of the CHSAA intersectional final, where he scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Atson did all the little things to help CK succeed.
G C.J. Davis, Archbishop Molloy
The Columbia-bound point guard was again one of the five borough’s most well-rounded players. For Davis, posting a triple double — double digit in points, rebounds and assists — was not uncommon. He averaged 16 points per game and helped the Stanners to a third-place finish in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens.
C Adonis Delarosa, Christ the King
Delarosa was a dominant presence in the paint and excelled in the big moments. The 6-foot-10 senior scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against Bishop Loughlin in the CHSAA championship. His charge, on which a foul was called on Hayes, and late three-point play sealed a stunning CK comeback in the league semifinals vs. Cardinal Hayes.
G Ray Salnave, Benjamin Cardozo
The super sophomore arrived this season, proving he was worthy of being called the city’s next great guard. Salnave poured in 31 points in the PSAL quarterfinal against South Shore and hit two free throws with 2.5 seconds left to win Cardozo the city title. He is determined to make sure this year’s title isn’t his last high school crown.
F Francisco Williams, Benjamin Cardozo
The senior forward was a major reason the Judges can call themselves city champions. Williams averaged 11 points and six rebounds during the regular season and tallied a game-high 21 points in the final against Jefferson. Cardozo will miss his rebounding, defense and leadership skill next season.
All-Queens Second Team
F Marlon Alcindor, Construction
Alcindor, who came over from St. John’s Prep, was a force in the PSAL. He averaged 18.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. The senior tallied 25 points to help the Red Hawks win the Queens title.
G Jermaine Bishop, Holy Cross
The junior point guard had a dynamic influence on the Knights this season. Bishop, who could score in multiple ways, averaged 16.9 points and led a mid-season resurgence as Holy Cross had a big January.
F Jason Cethoute, Archbishop Molloy
Cethoute was a Mr. Everything for the Stanners. The senior was a major contributor in the paint and on the glass and the team’s second scorer behind C.J. Davis with 16.3 points per contest.
G Andre Walker, Christ the King
The senior quietly went about his business as other Royals grabbed the headlines. He then delivered his best game when it mattered most, scoring 25 points in CK’s state Federation Class AA final victory over Long Island Lutheran.
G Justin Wright-Foreman, Construction
The Christ the King transfer made an immediate impact at Construction. He averaged 21.6 points per game during the regular season. The junior had a huge third quarter in a 23-point performance against Dozo in the Queens final.
All-Queens Honorable Mention
G Moaiz Ahmad, Bayside
F Carl Balthazar Cardozo
G Nhoel Deverson, Monsignor McClancy
G Michael Fields, St. Francis Prep
G Gabe Kilpatrick, Archbishop Molloy
F Luis Hernandez, John Bowne
G Shane Herrity, St. Francis Prep
G Travis Raynor, Springfield Gardens
G Noah Vickers, Campus Magnet
F Joshua Wallace, Holy Cross
