By Joseph Staszewski
It was quite a girls’ basketball season in Queens.
Francis Lewis put together the best season in program history by knocking off Murry Bergtraum in the semifinals to end the Lady Blazers’ 15-year reign atop the PSAL. The young Patriots went on to win the program’s first city title since 1979.
Christ the King had hopes of bringing home another state Federation title after one of the school’s best regular seasons in recent years, but Nazareth ended CK’s season in the CHSAA Class AA state semifinals.
St. John’s Prep made an unexpected run to the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division II final before falling to Bishop Kearney. Archbishop Molloy reached the Division I title game even after the Stanners lost four starters from last season.
Here are the players considered the borough’s best in 2014:
All-Queens Player of the Year: Sierra Calhoun, Christ the King
The Duke-bound Calhoun put together her finest season in her last go-around with the Royals as CK went 21-4. The McDonald’s All-American averaged 24 points, 9.3 rebounds and four steals per game to help Christ the King win the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queen title. Calhoun scored 22 points in the final against Molloy.
Calhoun, also the New York State Gatorade Player of the Year, tallied 36 points in the CHSAA state semifinals, but it wasn’t enough for CK to advance.
All-Queens Coach of the Year: Steve Tsai, Francis Lewis
All of the sixth-year coach’s hard work paid off in a big way. Tsai never accepted less than the best and got his young Patriots team to play beyond its years. Lewis ended Murry Bergtraum’s domination of the PSAL in the semifinals and beat South Shore for the school’s first city title since 1979. Tsai accomplished this while dealing with news that his unborn twin girls were diagnosed with heart defects.
All-Queens First Team
G Chi La Bady, Francis Lewis
The junior guard was the engine for the Patriots. Her relentless attacking style kept defensive attention off Lewis star Sierra Green. Bady, who averaged 10.2 points per game during the regular season, tallied 11 of her 19 points in the second half of the city title game.
G Sierra Green, Francis Lewis
The super sophomore was exactly that for Lewis, staking her claim to being one of the city’s best young players. Green tallied 13 second-half points, including seven in the final 3:14, to push her team past Bergtraum, and she also scored 21 points, including six three-pointers in the city final.
G Nyasha Irizarry, Archbishop Molloy
The Manhattan-bound guard was at her best in her final season as a Stanner. Her scoring numbers went up as she proved she was more than just a shooter. Irizarry’s leadership helped a young Molloy team mature into one of the city’s top squads.
F Aryn McClure, Archbishop Molloy
The athletic junior continued to show why she is one of the most versatile players in the five boroughs. The Stanners were a different team with McClure on the floor. She can score inside and out and is a consistent rebounder and shot blocker.
F Kollyns Scarbrough, Christ the King
Scarbrough, who is headed to Siena College, was a player to be reckoned with in the paint. She tallied 16 points and 14 rebounds to help the Royals win the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens title. Scarbrough was never afraid to do the little things or hustle on plays needed for a victory.
All-Queens Second Team
G Taliyah Brisco, Francis Lewis
Brisco was the steadying force during the Patriots’ city championship run this season. The sophomore controlled the pace of the game at the point guard spot and was a top defender. She averaged 10.1 points per game this season.
G Kristen Drogsler, Christ the King
The Caldwell-bound guard was one of the big reasons for CK’s fabulous regular season before tearing her ACL in advance of the playoffs. Drogsler was a threat from three-point range and always willing to sacrifice her body for an offensive foul.
G Simone Hobdy, Mary Louis
Hobdy, who is headed to Niagara, stepped up her game in every way as a senior. She was Mary Louis’ top scorer and vocal leader on a young squad. Hobdy poured in a career-high 41 points in a win over Kennedy Catholic.
F Kayla Hourany, St. Francis Prep
Hourany epitomized what the Terriers were about with her toughness and heart. The senior was a force on the glass and an aggressive defender. She tallied 25 points against Mary Louis and 17 in a playoff loss to Loughlin.
G Sydney Zambrotta, Christ the King
Zambrotta made an immediate impact in her first season at CK. The sophomore was regularly its third scorer behind Calhoun and Scarbrough. She could explode for points at any moment and change a game’s momentum with her defense.
Honorable Mention
F Sierra Berkel, Townsend Harris
F Joiada Darenell, Campus Magnet
G Desire Edwards, Hillcrest
G Jessica Glaz, Scholars Academy
F Jodi Ann Humphrey, Forest Hills
F Jenna McCann, Mary Louis
G Kaitlyn Mahon, Archbishop Molloy
F Sofia Recupero, St. Francis Prep
G Dominque Tousaint Christ the King
G Simone Kedharu, St. John’s Prep
