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By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

They want to kick the pervs to the curb.

The New York City Housing Authority must keep convicted sex offenders out of public housing, demanded community leaders and elected officials gathered outside Coney Island’s Carey Gardens Houses on Dec. 21. Federal law bars the authority from renting apartments to convicted sex offenders, but many fly in under the radar, one peeved pol said.

“More often than not, it’s people returning to where they came from, and if the housing authority would just simply check the registry every now and then they might know that,” said state Sen. Diane Savino (D–Coney Island). “This is just another example of their abject failure to follow their own rules.”

There are 44 sex offenders living in Brooklyn public housing — more than in any borough, according to a report by state Sen. Jeffrey Klein (D–Bronx) and Councilman Ritchie Torres (D–Bronx). They are all Level 2 or Level 3 Sex Offenders, meaning a court deemed that they posed either a moderate or high risk of repeating their crimes.

The New York City Housing Authority requires housing applicants list all people who would reside in an apartment, and federal law requires the authority deny any application that includes a lifetime registered sex offender. Similarly, it must evict any leaseholder later identified as a sex offender, law states.

But at least one resident who reported a registered sex offender neighbor at Carey Gardens Houses in Coney Island in 2012 got a less-than-stellar response from the building’s manager.

“I told the building manager but he just shrugged it off, said ‘Oh is that so?’ ” said resident Evangeline Byars. “They said they would look into it but nothing ever came of it. I was surprised and me and my husband just kept an eye on him — that’s all we could do,”

A housing authority spokeswoman admitted that the agency has “no way of knowing” if an individual who is not on the lease is living in one of their apartments if a neighbor does not report it, because that person’s name never shows up on paper.

“Someone may be in all regards ‘homeless’ but sometimes people will allow them to stay with them some nights, or some people stay in different residences throughout the week,” spokeswoman Aja Worthy-Davis said. “We would not really have a lot resources to know if someone is not on a lease but is actually living there.”

The agency removed around 20 pervs from public housing in 2014 and is working to remove a dozen more, she said.

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By Colin Mixson

Brooklyn Daily

60th Precinct

Coney Island—Brighton Beach—Seagate

Purse perp

A gun-wielding villain robbed a woman on W. 28th Street on Dec. 17.

The victim told police that she was cashing a check at her bank between Mermaid and Surf avenues at 8:40 pm when the crook drew a pistol on her and demanded her bag.

Without waiting for her, the thief snatched her purse from off her shoulder and fled on foot, cops said.

Trouble at home

Cops busted a man who they say beat a woman inside a W. 23rd Street apartment on Dec. 18.

The victim told police she was inside the abode between Neptune and Mermaid avenues at 11 pm, where she was arguing with a man she described to police as a stranger. The dispute climaxed when the suspect punched her in the face, before grabbing her around the neck, cops said.

The victim suffered a swollen cheek and nose, and scratches around her throat, according to police.

Tool time

A crook looted tools from a commercial truck left in the parking lot of a Cropsey Avenue hardware store on Dec. 14.

The victim told police that he parked his work vehicle at the store near Bay 53rd Street at 2:45 pm, and returned later to find the tools he left on his back seat were missing.

Take out

A thief ransacked a Coney Island Avenue eatery on Dec. 14, taking cash.

The victim told police that he locked up his store between Kathleen Place and Avenue Z at 11 pm, and returned later to find a rear window had been opened and $300 nabbed.

Un-Impressa

A carjacker sped off with a man’s 2006 Subaru Impressa he left parked on Avenue Z on Dec. 16.

The victim told police that he parked his Impressa between Shell Road and W. Third Street at 11 am, and returned later to find an empty spot where his vehicle had been.

— Colin Mixson

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By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

61st Precinct

Sheepshead Bay—Homecrest— Manhattan Beach—Gravesend

A familiar face

Some guy tried unsuccessfully to rob a man two nights in a row on Avenue U on Dec. 10 and 11, according to a police report.

The victim told police that on the first night, the brute approached him at E. 18th Street around 10:30 pm, threatened him, and said, “if I go through your pockets will I find money?” The would-be victim fled towards Bedford Avenue with the mugger in hot pursuit, but lost him at Ocean Parkway.

He saw the lout again the next day around 4:30 pm near Bragg Street. He asked to borrow his cellphone and followed him down Bragg Street, where the would-be victim lost him again, police reported.

Armed robbery

A masked marauder held up a store on the Oriental Boulevard for cash on Dec. 19, police said.

The guy walked into the store at Oxford Street around 7:30 am brandishing a black handgun and said to the employee behind the register, “This is it, give me all the money b---- or I’ll shoot you,” cops say. The employee complied, handed over $320, and the masked man fled, police said.

The hungry bandit

A burglar made a pit stop at a man’s refrigerator during an overnight burglary of his Homecrest Avenue apartment on Dec. 15.

The victim left his apartment near Avenue U around 8 pm and came home around noon the next day to find someone had broke a window and ransacked his place the night before. The burglar made away with some tech gadgets and “assorted meats,” according to police.

What a tool

Someone broke open a lock box and swiped valuable tools at a construction site on E. Fifth Street sometime over the weekend of Dec. 11, according to a police report.

The rightful owner of the tools locked them up for the weekend at the site near the corner of Avenue V and came back the morning of Dec. 14 to find someone had cut a hole into the box and took the $3,600 worth of tools.

Police found footprints near a low wall at the back of the construction site and believe the freebooter jumped it to get in and out.

Cat nabbed

Police arrested a man who they say tried to break into the basement of a restaurant on E. 15th Street in the early morning hours of Dec. 15.

Officers responded to a neighbor who called around 5 am and said she heard the sound of broken glass and saw a man break in to the building near the corner of Avenue U through a basement entry.

She said she heard someone heading up to the roof, where police later found the alleged burglar hiding out on an adjoining roof, officials reported.

— Dennis Lynch

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By Colin Mixson

Brooklyn Daily

62nd Precinct

Bensonhurst—Bath Beach

Car pool

A knife man slashed some poor fellow’s face on Kings Highway on Dec. 20.

The victim told police that he was hailing a taxi near McDonald Avenue at 4:02 am, when a green cab pulled over to the curb. Inside, was another man already riding in the back seat, and, for whatever reason, when the victim said he didn’t want to share a cab, the passenger stepped out and slashed his face, cops said.

Afterwards, the assailant jumped back in the taxi and the driver sped off, according to police.

Have a beer

Cops busted a 25-year-old man who they say threw a bottle and a knife at a bicyclist on 20th Avenue on Dec. 17.

The victim told police he was near 74th Street at 9 pm when the suspect hurled a glass bottle his way. Fortunately, the bottle missed, and the cyclist pulled over to confront his attacker, who promptly took up a knife and then threw that at him, cops said.

Again, the knife missed, and the cyclist went and found some cops, who arrested the suspect after the victim identified him, according to police.

Stickup

A gunman robbed a man on Benson Avenue on Dec. 20, taking his phone.

The victim told police that he was between Bay 10th and Bay 11th streets at 10 pm, when the suspect crept up behind him and stuck a gun to his back.

The victim handed over what he had, which amounted to his cellphone and a MetroCard, before the fiend pointed him in a direction and told him to start walking, cops said.

The miscreant then ducked into a black car, and peeled off heading south on Bay 10th Street, according to police.

Put that in your pipe

A burglar stole pipes and a water meter from a Van Sicklen Avenue home that was under renovation on Dec. 20.

The victim told police that the thief snuck into the home between Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue at 9 am, breaking through a window in the basement.

Inside, the crook nabbed all the copper pipes he could carry, plus a water meter for good measure, cops said.

Handy man

A crook ransacked a commercial truck parked along Bay Parkway on Dec. 19, taking tools.

The victim told police that he left his truck between Bath and Benson avenues at 4 pm, and returned later to find the back had been cleaned out.

Mystery meat

A crook looted a Cropsey Avenue restaurant on Dec. 18, although nobody’s sure if he took anything.

The victim told police that the thief broke through a rear door of the eatery between Bay 40th and Bay 41st streets at 6:55 am, and fled — with something — through a side door.

— Colin Mixson

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By Joanna DelBuono

Brooklyn Daily

Twas the day before Christmas and all through the house,

not a creature was stirring, not daughter, not spouse.

Both were at work as I toiled away.

Signing my name to last-minute bills to pay.

When all of a sudden I heard such a clatter,

I knew in an instant just what was the matter.

The glass Christmas balls hung on the branches with care,

The cats were at, and they were no longer there.

I whipped out the vacuum and sucked up the shards

Ah heck, I thought, “I still have all those cards.”

So I went back to signing and sealing

Knowing there was still so much cleaning.

But when it was done, the house bedecked in red

Was as clean as a whistle - so I slunked off to bed.

Tomorrow was waiting to finish the rest.

There’s so much to do in one little nest.

The gifts needed wrapping, the boxes sitting there.

But where was Saint Nick, and did anyone care?

I made up my list as I shut off the lights, and wondered,

“I’m really tired, but will I sleep through the night?”

A sparkling clean kitchen met my awaking,

What a sight to behold — my body was shaking!

A Christmas Day miracle was about to come true.

My daughter had cleaned — her and her crew.

I whispered a thank you as I shut off the lights,

Not for Nuthin’™, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”

Follow me on Twitter @JDelBuono.

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By Lauren Gill

Brooklyn Daily

It’s becoming a Boxing Day tradition.

Local singer-songwriter Lucy Wainwright Roche will again showcase her penchant for melancholic folk when she opens for Dar Williams at the Bell House the day after Christmas — just like she did last year on that day. Roche has high hopes for her return to the Gowanus venue.

“Every time I’ve performed at the Bell House it’s been quite a lively enthusiastic audience,” said Roche, who lives in Clinton Hill. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

Roche says that she has looked up to Williams ever since she was a youngster, when her dad — well-known songwriter Loudon Wainwright III — gave her one of the folk singer’s albums as a gift.

Even aside from her father, Roche’s family is brimming with musical talent — she is also the daughter of singer Suzzy Roche and the half-sister of crooners Rufus and Martha Wainwright.

When she was kid, Lucy said she loved spending time on the road with her mother — then a member of folk trio The Roches — but her introverted personality kept her from pursuing music as a career.

“I loved that but I thought I didn’t want to do anything with it as a job,” she said. “I was pretty shy as a kid and as a younger adult.”

Roche had a brief stint as a New York City school teacher before realizing that she could not stay away from the stage.

“Once I got away from music I realized what an important part of my life it was and how much I missed it.,” she said

She released her first short album, “8 Songs” in 2007 and has since released five more works, including this year’s “Songs In The Dark,” with Martha Wainwright.

Roche tends to write songs about heartbreak and misery — the same subject matter she prefers to listen to, she said.

“I really like sad songs,” she said. “My favorite songs on anyone’s record are sort of the sad ones.”

But she lightens the mood of her live sets by sprinkling covers of songs like Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend” or Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart” among her more somber original material.

Despite the gloomy sound of her tunes, the 34-year-old is well aware of how fortunate she is to be taking the stage.

“I’m lucky to have gone along piecing together making a living as a musician,” she said.

Lucy Wainwright Roche opens for Dar Williams at the Bell House [149 Seventh St. between Second and Third avenues in Gowanus, (718) 643–6510, www.thebellhouseny.com]. Dec. 26 at 8 pm. $30 ($25 in advance).

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By Colin Mixson

Brooklyn Daily

He’s back on the menu!

A Sheepshead Bay native has returned to southern Brooklyn to spice up the menu at Marine Park’s Third and Seven Tavern after 27 years honing his cooking skills in Dirty Jersey. And the Academy of Culinary Arts grad is bringing his metropolitan chops to a hometown haunt, a manager said.

“We have our steaks, chops, burgers, wings, but he brought some pizzazz,” said manager Peter DiFiglia. “He’s bringing something different to our neighborhood.”

Chef Evan Miller began his culinary career in Manhattan Beach, where he began working as a bus boy at 13 years old. But that only served to whet his appetite, and it wasn’t long before the scrappy saucier was in the kitchen doing what he loved, he said.

“By 15, I was doing cold foods, cutting fruits, and, little by little, I worked some line jobs,” Miller said using service-industry lingo “line” to refer to where cooking is done. “I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

The young chef left Brooklyn with his folks when he was 17, and they headed to Jersey, where Miller enrolled in the Academy of Culinary Arts before embarking on a career that had him slinging food for catering services, in posh country clubs, and at restaurants throughout the Garden State and the five boroughs.

“I’ve done it all,” he said.

His coming to the Quentin Road eatery is part of a shake-up at Third and Seven — DiFiglia took over as manager and started making changes to bring the restaurant into the 21st century, according to the new manager.

“The owners wanted to make some changes,” he said.

The sports bar now features live music, karaoke, and monthly theme parties — including an upcoming disco night on Jan. 15, DiFiglia said.

And Miller is enjoying seeing some familiar faces, he said.

“I just ran into a buddy of mine — he had no idea I was working there,” Miller said. “I ran into some people last week. Yeah, I definitely have some friends in town.”

Third and Seven Tavern [3622 Quentin Rd. between 36th and 37th streets in Marine Park, (718) 336–6300].

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By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

Go west, young men and women.

Education officials must look west — between Third Avenue and the waterfront — for new public school sites to remedy overcrowding in Sunset Park and Bay Ridge, according to local leaders. The city could lose out on some promising sites if it waits to act, said one member of the local community education council who walked the neighborhood with the School Construction Authority last week to scope out potential sites.

“Part of the dialogue was that we need to take a broader vision and at least consider sites west of Third Avenue,” said District 15 Community Education Council vice president Henry Carrier. “It might not look like the right place right now, but it could be. I’d hate to see some private schools going up there if we miss out on them now.”

But the education honchos need to act quickly, because property values are rising, according to Carrier and a local real estate pro.

“I could tell you the neighborhood is clearly on the rise, with Industry City, access to the subway — particularly closer to 36th Street — prices are rising substantially,” said Scott Klein of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Carrier and other education council members visited 10 sites around the neighborhood during the recent tour, including at least three in the primarily industrial areas between Third Avenue and the harbor, according to a spokesman for Councilman Carlos Menchaca (D–Sunset Park).

Truck traffic and exhaust fumes common to the predominately manufacturing-zoned area have turned off some to the idea of building schools there. But locals and city officials need to take the notion seriously given the school district’s overcrowding, Menchaca said.

“Because of the extreme need here, I call on all involved to make a careful examination of locations both east and west of Third Avenue — and of sites both large and small,” he said.

District 15 is 1,000 students over capacity, city records show. And it’s growing faster than the city predicted — a 2012 study projected enrollment in the district would not hit 30,000 students until 2019, but this year’s enrollment is already 30,410, documents show.

Council recently approved a school on the harbor side of Third Avenue in the nearby 20th school district, and that could encourage more serious discussions about siting schools elsewhere in the industrial area, Carrier said.

“That was pointed out during the walk to say that ‘Yes, that kind of stuff is happening,’ ” Carrier said. “It’s a complex issue. There are a lot of concerns down there, but we do need the schools, so it’s worth looking at.”

The authority would not disclose which sites it is seriously considering in order to not spoil negotiations with landowners.

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By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

Call it a brooch of the peace.

Faith leaders and peaceniks passed out pins in the name of tranquility on 86th Street on Dec. 19. Volunteers from the Interfaith Peace Coalition gave out 100 pins emblazoned with doves holding olive branches — and inspired at least one local to think about how she could help spread the love.

“In today’s world, I think its a beautiful idea and something I would definitely be involved in,” said Vicky Almass, who recently moved into the neighborhood from Red Hook. “And it was freezing out there, so I think it was awesome they braved the cold for it.”

The dove holding an olive branch is an ancient symbol of peace with origins in the Old Testament. The do-gooders set up shop between Third and Fourth Avenues for an hour and asked passersby to pray for peace, no matter their faith or denomination, according to one volunteer.

The group has a wide set of interests and often holds vigils to commemorate historic events like the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one member said.

“The idea is to come together with the idea of praying for among other things, nuclear withdrawal, awareness of the fighting around the world, and for our leaders to bring our soldiers home,” said Sister Pat Tobin of Our Lady of Angels.

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By Colin Mixson

Brooklyn Daily

You’d think Santa was a member of the toy-makers’ guild.

The clandestine elf dropped by the Midwood Masonic Temple to have breakfast with 100 lucky families on Dec. 20. The soft-hearted elf spread cheer at the stone-workers’ E. 64th Street guild hall, according to one parent.

“The kids met Santa and everyone was happy,” said Flatbush mom Efeshar Pierre, who brought her daughters Jahnine, 1, Natalie, 7, and Cemiah, 8.

The Midwood Free Mason club circulated fliers for the event amongst Kings County’s social and community service providers to ensure that families in need got an opportunity to dine at the benefit breakfast with Kris Kringle.

The Freemasons are a fraternal organization that traces its rots to medieval craft guilds. Now, 11 Freemason lodges meet at the Midwood temple to host various community service projects, according to member David McDowell.

The kids and their folks filled their bellies with eggs, pancakes, French toast, and home fries at the Dec. 20 party — then they got to take a seat on the fullest belly of all, Santa’s. After sharing their Christmas wishes with St. Nick, the old man gave each boy and girl a gift. Pierre kids got packages too, but they don’t get to open them until Christmas, the mom said.

“They have to wait,” she said.

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Brooklyn Daily

They’ve got a dog in this fight.

The president of one of Coney Island’s largest private apartment complexes broke the law when he tried to muscle out disabled residents who rely on service animals, federal prosecutors claimed this week. Igor Oberman, who headed the co-op board at the 1,144-unit co-op, dogged three disabled residents — including a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder — when they exercised their rights to own pets that sooth their stress, the suit filed Dec. 23 states. The complex has a no-pet policy, but it must make exceptions for people who can demonstrate a medical need, a federal attorney said.

“Emotional support animals provide critical care and therapeutic aid for people with disabilities,” Vanita Gupta, a lawyer with the U.S. Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division, said in a statement. “The department will continue to enforce fair housing laws to ensure that housing providers make reasonable accommodations for individuals who rely on assistance animals in their homes.”

Oberman tried to evict U.S. Army veteran Eugene Ovsishcher and his wife in 2012 after they proved he was entitled to a service animal to alleviate his post-traumatic stress disorder. A court threw out the case because Trump Village accepted rent from the Ovsishchers after terminating their lease, according to the Dec. 23 civil complaint.

Another resident complained in 2013, and the federal housing officials forced Trump Village to allow service animals and submit board members to federal Fair Housing Act training. Oberman, a Soviet-born attorney, took the training — and then waged a cold war against residents in retaliation, the suit alleges.

Prosecutors claim Oberman, a controversial Council also-ran, used his influence on the board to withhold parking spaces from disabled residents who successfully resisted the co-op’s unlawful attempts to remove them for possessing service dogs. The feds also allege he retaliated by kicking Ovsishcher’s wife off the development’s board of directors “for commencing legal proceedings against the corporation.”

One complainant has chronic depression and another has a debilitating stuttering problem aggravated by stress — both need comforting animals to help them get through the day, the suit states.

The co-op’s management office declined to comment on ongoing litigation. Oberman did not immediately return calls for comment.

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By Jospeh Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

The depth of the Public School Athletic League’s Brooklyn AA division will make for a wild second-half of the basketball season.

Just to give you a taste of what is possible, take a moment to wrap your mind around this: Boys & Girls, which has just two league wins in seven tries, lost to division leader Thomas Jefferson by just one point (77–76) before the Christmas break. This is the same Orange Wave team that nearly beat the nation’s second-ranked team at the City of Palms Classic. South Shore, which is .500, would be undefeated if it managed just 13 more points over three games.

Pundits have recently called the AA division the city’s best for good reason, and despite Jefferson’s so-far undefeated season, there is more parity than ever before. A new challenger is emerging and an old power is undergoing a revival in a league recently dominated by Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson, and Boys & Girls.

George Westinghouse was a Class A school just five years ago. The Warriors (9–1) currently sit in second place — thanks to Damarri Moore and Akeem Tate’s length and athleticism. Moore is averaging a double-double at 10 points and 10 rebounds a contest, and Tate is averaging 16.7 points per game. And classmate Arsheen Jones could be the key to Westhinghouse’s season.

“The team is confident that we are a good team,” Warriors coach Everett Kelly said after beating Lincoln. “We have a lot of new guys. It’s still matter of understanding if we play together, we can win. We have good pieces that complement each other. If we play as a team, we’ll win. We have enough threats to win.”

Westinghouse is certainly the new kid on the block. Robeson, on the other hand, is a former city power that has produced Division-I players such as current coach Todd Myles, Allen Griffin, Shamel Jones, and Gary Ervin. The Eagles are back in the division title picture after four losing seasons. It has already beaten Lincoln and faces Westinghouse at home on Jan. 8 with second place on the line. Myles is right to think his club is a potential sleeper in the city’s title battle.

“I think we are back,” Myles said.

The big reason is Robeson’s 6-foot-7 senior center Issac Kante, who is averaging 17.8 points and 10.6 rebounds a game in league play. He has scholarship offers from mid-major colleges like Iona and St. Francis College among others. Konte is the team’s star, but it has plenty of other weapons. Three Robeson players reached double figures in a win over Construction last weekend.

“We have a balanced attack,” Myles said.

Brooklyn AA is a more balanced division than in recent years — Shamorie Ponds and Jefferson have the lead for now, but no team is safe.

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By Jospeh Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

Talk about a silver linings playbook!

If you told Paul Robeson boys basketball coach Todd Myles his team was going to split two games at the Brooklyn Bridge Holiday Classic, he’d take it — now matter how tough the loss was. The team lost to Poly Prep on a three-point play at the buzzer on Dec. 26, but the squad answered back day later by closed out an important 62–59 victory against Construction on the second day of the showcase at George Westinghouse.

The win benefits the Eagles in Public School Athletic League playoff seeding, because the Red Hawks are the two-time defending Queens Borough champions and are currently in second place in the division.

“Today means more for February and March,” Myles said.

He was pleased to see his team rebound, but it didn’t come without some help from Construction. Robeson’s Jonathan Murray, who scored all eight of his points in the fourth quarter, made two free throws with 36.4 seconds left to put his team up three, but he missed two after Construction’s Wesley Nelson sunk a layup to bring the score to 60–59 with 17.5 seconds remaining.

On the next possession, Nelson’s finger-roll layup bounced off the rim and out. Robeson’s Issac Kante drew a foul and connected on both of his shots from the charity stripe to seal the win. He and his teammates put the loss to Poly behind them and were happy to head into the New Year on a positive note.

“We weren’t worried about yesterday,” Kante said. “We left that in the past. We came today and did our thing.”

A fast start made the new mind set evident.

“Yesterday we kind of started off slow and at the end we had to fight back,” Murray said of the loss to Poly. “We didn’t want that to happen today, so we played hard from the jump and played defense.”

Robeson fed off the size of Kante and frontcourt mate Isreal Farrington to lead 18–12 after the first quarter and 31–25 at the half. The Eagles (8–3) responded to each of Construction’s run after that.

The Red Hawks shot the ball better and scored in transition after the break. Construction cut Robeson’s lead to 43–41 with 1:46 remaining in the third, but a 6–0 Eagles run — capped by a Kante layup off a Murray feed — put Robeson back up 49–41 going into the fourth.

Construction (11–2) started the final frame with a 10–0 spurt — its first lead since the first quarter — to bring the score to 51-49 with 4:46 to play in the game. A Murray three-pointer sparked a quick, 7–0 response before the game got tight in the final.

Keith Swinton, Rikky Degale, and Farrington each scored 10 points for Robeson, and Nelson paced Construction with 15 points. Marcus Saint Furcy added 13.

The victory gives Robeson, which has already beaten Abraham Lincoln, even more confidence going into the second half of the season. It believes it can play with the elite teams in its division.

“As a team, we can compete,” Murray said. “If we play hard everyday like we do, I think we can compete. I think we are going to be good.”

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By Stephen Zitolo

Brooklyn Daily

South Shore has gotten the short end of the stick in close games against the city’s top teams all season long, but it finally pulled the long straw against Bishop Loughlin.

The Vikings pulled out an 87–86 overtime victory against the Lions in a back-and-forth nail-biter at the Brooklyn Bridge Holiday Classic at George Westinghouse on Dec 26.

“We knew that we were the better team,” said South Shore senior forward Shaquille Ricks.

South Shore senior forward Yaradyah Evans decided the game in the final seconds of overtime when he connected on a pull-up three with 25 ticks left. Loughlin got a final chance with 3.9 seconds to play, but it ultimately failed — Jeremy Betjol caught the ball off an in-bound, but he took too many steps on his way to the basket, and refs called a traveling violation that sealed the deal.

Beating Loughlin (4–2) could be a turning point in South Shore’s (5–4) season — the squad lost to Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Curtis by a combined 10 points.

“This is a big win for us,” said South Shore head coach Mike Beckles. “Our seniors stepped up. We could’ve done a better job in regulation of closing out. But our guys found a way to hit some big shots and get some stops on defense.”

South Shore held a sizable 76–65 lead with 2:30 remaining in regular time. Loughlin’s Markquis Nowell, who was held out of the first quarter, scored eight points during a 14–3 Loughlin run that tied the game 79–79 and sent in into an extra period. The Lions squad, which was coming off a big win over Long Island Lutheran, didn’t build off it.

“We just fell short,” Loughlin forward Jordan Thomas said. “We let the game against LuHi get to our heads. We just didn’t execute all our plays.”

Ricks led the way for South Shore with a team-high 25 points, and Senior Ziare Mateen had a big game with 19 points. Nowell paced Loughlin with 25 points in only three quarters.

The Lions led 20–18 at the end of the first quarter — Ricks scored 10 of South Shore’s points in the frame.

Nowell, who had 27 points against LuHi, got his first taste of action in the second quarter, but the sophomore guard struggled to find his rhythm. Instead, classmate Idan Tretout led a 9–2 Loughlin run to start the frame, scoring seven of his 10 second-quarter points during the spurt. It put South Shore in a 29–20 hole, but the team responded. The Vikings went on a 14–1 run to take a 34–30 lead with 2:55 left in the half.

Nowell finally came alive when he scored seven straight points in the first half’s final two minutes to help tie things up at 39–39 going into the locker room.

South Shore came out a 7–0 run to start the third quarter and grabbed control before being drawn into overtime, where it eked out the win.

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By Jospeh Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

Brooklyn’s football landscape continues to improve with talent.

Grand Street sat atop the borough — and the city — when all was said and done. The Wolves weren’t always the most popular team, but the squad went undefeated and beat Erasmus Hall at Yankee Stadium for its first Public School Athletic League title.

The No. 6 seed Dutchman made a memorable playoff run to the squad’s fourth title game in five years, a run that included beating a resurgent Fort Hamilton team, which reached its first semifinal since 2010.

The Tigers ended Lincoln’s two-year reign along the way.

To top it all off, Eagle Academy II continued its run atop the cup conference with a second-straight crown, Franklin D. Roosevelt couldn’t make consecutive titles happen in the bowl division, and independent Poly Prep produced three high-level Division-I players.

And over in the Catholic High School Football League, Xaverian finally got over the championship hump, winning the league’s Class A crown after losing in the title game the last two seasons.

All-Brooklyn Player of the Year

Taysir Mack, Grand Street

The senior was Big Mack in all of the Wolves’ most important 2015 games. The star wide receiver had six catches — including a game-sealing, first-down grab and two touchdowns in the city title game. Mack scored in each of Grand Street’s signature wins during an undefeated season. He had 66 receptions for 1,210 yards and 16 touchdowns. He averaged 19 yards a grab and was superb at producing yards after the catch.

All-Brooklyn Coach of the Year

Bruce Eugene, Grand Street

Eugene was a controversial figure this season. He was suspended for breaking the league’s scrimmage rule and took heat for playing twice-arrested running back Rahmel Ashby in the final. Feel about that as you may, you can’t deny his success on the field — Eugene led Grand Street to its first city title and became the first African-American head coach in Public School Athletic League history to do so at the highest level.

First Team

Troy Booker, Fort Hamilton

The Tigers rode the junior running back during the squad’s return to prominence. The powerful Booker was a game-changer, averaging more than 10 yards per carry. He rushed for 1,265 yards and 20 touchdowns and added six catches for 100 yards and two scores.

Aaron Grant, Erasmus Hall

Quarterback Grant missed some time with injury, but he transformed the E-Hall offense when he was under center. The senior posted 1.831 yards of total offense and 21 touchdowns. He had 218 total yards and four touchdowns in a semifinal routing of Fort Hamilton.

Sharif-Harris Legree, Grand Street

Harris-Legree proved he is one of the city’s elite players and brought out the best in Grand Street’s offense. The senior quarterback threw for 2,441 yards and 34 touchdowns and ran more than 300 yards for six more scores to lead the Wolves to the city title.

Matt Jones, Erasmus Hall

Highlight recruit Jones played his best football when it mattered most. The sophomore lineman led the Dutchman’s improved offensive line in the post season. He also made 25 tackles on defense and helped stop the opposing team’s running game.

Jeavon Lessey. Abraham Lincoln

The junior linebacker flourished in a starting role and proved himself one of the best pass-rushers in the city. Lessey made 40 tackles and recorded six sacks. The Railsplitters found a star to carry the team into the next season.

Jason Martin, South Shore

Martin was the epitome of a dual-threat quarterback. The bruising senior posted 2,162 yards of total offense, threw 16 touchdowns, and ran for 762 yards and seven more scores. He helped lead the Vikings to an unbeaten regular season.

Justin Philip, Grand Street

The hard-hitting Philip was one of the best overall play-makers in the five boroughs. The senior defensive back made 73 tackles, collected four interceptions, and recovered a fumble. He also scored a defensive touchdown. Philip even saw a little time at running back.

Elias Reynolds, Poly Prep

At linebacker, Reynolds was the heartbeat of an excellent Poly defense. The senior tackled in the double-digits regularly and caused at least one turnover per contest. He had 12 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in a rout of Cheshire Academy.

Bromwell Roach, Grand Street

The senior was a dominant force on the Wolves’ defensive line who made running the ball a chore for opponents. Roach made 40 tackles, recorded six sacks, and recovered a fumble during the team’s perfect regular season.

Isaiah Wilson, Poly Prep

Wilson, a junior, is the most sought after football prospect in the city for good reason. As both an offensive and defensive lineman, he was a big reason Poly controlled the line of scrimmage and had an excellent run defense. Those skills have schools like Alabama, Ohio State, and Michigan hungry to lock him up.

Jahsen Wint, Erasmus Hall

The highly-recruited senior linebacker was a defensive play-maker for Erasmus. Wint’s ability to cover the ground allowed him to record 69 tackles, recover two fumbles, and collect an interception — all while helping lead the Dutchman to the city final.

Honorable Mention

• Wide receiver Ahmed Bah, Grand Street

• Offensive and defensive line Justin Morgan, Poly Prep

• Tight end and defensive line Ray Marten, Poly Prep

• Wide receiver Kevin Medy, Abraham Lincoln

• Offensive and defensive line Michael Marinelli, Xaverian

• Quarterback Jordan Hannah, Abraham Lincoln

• Defensive back Darren Wesley, Erasmus Hall

• Quarterback Phil DePauli, Xaverian

• Running back Omar Jarret, South Shore

• Linebacker Jayson Mangini, Fort Hamilton

• Running back Carl Colas, Midwood

• Quarterback, Miquin Jenkin Davis

• Quarterback Nadir Hassan, Franklin Roosevelt

• Running back and linebacker Ramell Redd, Eagle Academy II

• Defensive end Devonte Malone, Canarsie

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By Colin Mixson

Brooklyn Daily

60th Precinct

Coney Island–Brighton Beach–Seagate

Batters up

Cops cuffed a tough who they say bashed a fellow with a baseball bat inside a Brighton Beach Avenue shop on Dec. 24.

The victim told police the slugger stormed into the store between Brighton Fourth and Brighton Fifth streets at 9:50 pm and whacked him good upside the head. Cops later recovered the bat from the scene of the crime, according to police.

Vendetta

A gunman took a man’s phone in an apparent revenge robbery on W. 32nd Street on Dec. 21.

The victim told police the crook pulled a gun on him near Mermaid Avenue at 11:55 pm.

“You broke my boy’s jaw two years ago, give me your phone,” the pistol-packing perp growled.

The victim then handed over his iPhone 6S and $40, cops said.

Cigarette break

Two fiends robbed a man at gunpoint on Brighton Fifth Street on Dec. 22, taking cash and cigarettes.

The victim told police that one of the crooks drew a pistol and started barking demands at 6:40 pm.

“Give me your money,” the thief snarled.

The man handed over $120, but other thief reached into the victim’s pocket and grabbed a pack of Marlboros before the duo fled, cops said.

Call disconnected

A slime ball punched a woman inside a Brighton Beach Avenue apartment on Dec. 27 and then took her phone so she couldn’t call the cops.

The victim told police she was arguing with the man inside an apartment near Brighton 14th Street at 1:50 am. The quarrel turned ugly when the woman attempted to call the police and the lout punched her in the face before snatching her phone and fleeing, cops said.

Geriatric attack

Some cur beat a 75-year-old man on Neptune Avenue on Dec. 22.

The victim told police that he was engaged in a dispute with the 40-year-old dirt bag between W. 35th and W. 36th streets at 10 pm, a police report states. The argument reached its climax when the goon hauled off and slugged the old man in the face, cops said.

Mystery beat

Some villain bashed a man in the face with an unknown but very heavy blunt object on Mermaid Avenue on Dec. 24.

The victim told police the fiend suddenly cracked him in the head with the unidentified object near W. 33rd Street at 10:20 pm. He went to Coney Island Hospital for treatment, a police report states.

Cleaned out

A crook looted tools from a W. 33rd Street day care on Dec. 20.

The victim told police the thief entered the store between Neptune and Bayview avenues at 4:30 pm, taking advantage of an asbestos cleaning occurring there to slip in while nobody was around. Once inside, the burglar snatched $1920 worth of various tools, cops said.

— Colin Mixson

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By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

61st Precinct

Sheepshead Bay–Homecrest–

Manhattan Beach–Gravesend

Brutal beating

Two toughs beat and robbed a man on Emmons Avenue on Dec. 21. The victim was near the corner of Bragg Street around 7 pm when the louts crossed the street and approached him, according to police reports. He had just finished at a cash machine and had a hefty sum on him, police said. The pair pummeled him, grabbed $6,000, and fled, law enforcement sources said.

Grinch steals Christmas

A sneak managed to steal a man’s custom bike and some other stuff out of his Avenue V apartment while he napped on Christmas Day. The guy snoozed for a couple hours starting at 6:30 pm, but he left his front door to apartment near E. 14th Street unlocked, so the thief had an easy time getting in and out with the $10,000 bike, some credit cards, and some watches, police said.

No Christmas spirit

A cretin cribbed a baby monitor from an E. Fourth Street apartment on Dec. 23.

The owner left the door to his apartment near the corner of Avenue V unlocked for less than two minutes just after 2 pm, giving the thief just enough time to grab the brand new baby monitor — still in its package — and flee the scene unnoticed, police said.

Shoo!

Someone scared off two would-be burglars trying to break into a commercial garage on E. 29th Street on Dec. 22.

The thieves made their attempt on the garage near Avenue Y just before midnight, police said. They came prepared with tools to open it up and had a getaway van at the ready, but someone caught them in the act, and they fled in their van sans loot, officials said.

— Dennis Lynch

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By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

68th Precinct

Bay Ridge—Dyker Heights

Snapped up

Someone stole more than $20,000 in electronics and camera equipment from a car parked on 79th Street early Dec. 22.

The victim left his ride in his driveway near the corner of 6th Avenue around 1:35 am and came back the next evening to discover that his top-of-the-line Macbook Pro, three camera lenses together worth $12,000, and some other camera gear was missing, police said. There were no signs of forced entry, a police report states.

Weaseled in

A cat burglar stole $10,000 in cash and $20,000 in jewelry from an elderly 81st Street woman’s apartment while she was out of town over the weekend of Dec. 18.

The woman told police she left her home between 13th and 14th avenues around 3 pm on Dec. 18 and returned on the morning of the Dec. 22 to find a rear kitchen window wide open. She told police she did not lock the window when she left, a police report states.

Robbed — politely

Two cavalier crooks robbed a guy but returned his wallet on 67th Street on Dec. 23.

The pair approached the man from behind at the corner of Fort Hamilton Parkway around 2:20 am and grabbed him, police said. One told him to keep his gaze pointed straight ahead and hand him his wallet, officials said. The pair took $450 in cash from the wallet but handed it back to him before they fled, police said. The victim never got a good look at his muggers, a police report states.

Caught in the act

A man caught a Scrooge-y scoundrel trying to clean out his 87th Street apartment on Dec. 24. He returned to his apartment near the corner of Fourth Avenue around 5 pm and found a stranger on his way out the window, he told police. The burglar only got away with $150 in cash, police said.

Purse-snatchers

Two louts pulled a grab-and-dash on a woman outside her 78th Street home on Dec. 25, police said.

She was taking out the trash around 8:45 pm at her home between Sixth and Seventh avenues and put her purse down on her front steps, police said. She told police it was only there for about five minutes, apparently long enough for two jerks to grab it and flee. The purse contained a phone, wallet, and some credits cards — altogether worth $500, police said.

Bike bandit

A burglar managed to steal two bicycles and a motorbike from a man’s garage early Dec. 24.

The man told police he last saw his two-wheeled treasures in the garage between Ridge Boulevard and Third Avenue just after midnight.

He returned around 4 am to find the lock on the garage door was broken and his three bikes gone, according to a police report.

— Dennis Lynch

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By Colin Mixson

Brooklyn Daily

62nd Precinct

Bensonhurst—Bath Beach

Home wrecker

Some jerk broke into and destroyed a man’s 73rd Street apartment on Dec. 28, splashing paint on the walls, crushing cabinets, and even breaking the toilet.

The victim told police that the rascal entered his apartment between 20th and 21st avenues at 1 am, before going on a rampage that left his home in shambles.

Knife guy

A knife-wielding wacko stabbed a man twice in the leg on Bay 19th Street on Dec. 28.

The victim told police that he was arguing with another man between 86th Street and Benson Avenue at 8:40 pm when suddenly, the guy’s friend lashed out with a knife and stabbed him in the leg.

Busted pipe

Two savages beat a man with metal pipes on Avenue S on Dec. 28.

The victim told police that the rogues pounced on him between W. Ninth and W. 10th streets at 5:50 pm.

“You hit my sister,” one of them bellowed, before smacking him repeatedly with the metal pipe, a police report states.

Jacked

A carjacker drove off with a grey 2002 Honda that a man parked on 71st Street on Dec. 22. The victim told police that he left his car between 17th and 18th avenues at 8 pm — only to return later to find an empty spot where his car had been.

Three amigos

A dastardly trio robbed two colleagues at knife point on 78th Street on Nov. 22.

The victims told police they were on their way home from work between 21st Avenue and Bay Parkway at 5 pm, when the crooks held them up at knife point and demanded their valuables. The thieves snatched $1,600 and two cell phones from the pair before piling into a black car and fleeing, cops said.

— Colin Mixson

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By Joanna DelBuono

Brooklyn Daily

Yup it’s that time of year again — resolutions and reflections.

At the top of my list is “I will lose weight this year.” I’m not only talking about the pounds I packed on during the feeding frenzy that began with Halloween and lasted through New Year’s Day — I’m also talking about the old pounds that found a home on my thighs and never left.

Which brings me to the point of this week’s column: Oprah Winfrey — the purveyor of all weight-loss regimens such as personal chefs; low-fat, low-carb, and no-food; the liquid diet debacle when Ms O. pranced on stage in her size-10 jeans after losing 67 pounds; and now Weight Watchers (or WW to those of us who are intimately familiar with Jean Nidetch’s brain child).

Since Ms O. bought shares in the weight-reducing giant, it makes perfect sense for her to hawk it as her diet du jour.

Now, Ms O. has professed every diet that she has ever been on as the best, the greatest, and the last diet you will ever need until the last French fry falls off your fork or you throw out every bit of fat clothing you own (whichever comes first), but none lasted long. Unfortunately, like the rest of us — me included — the pounds came home to roost when real life stepped in.

I have had success on the liquid diet, the low-fat, the low-carb, the Atkins, the Paleo, and then some. The weirdest one was the cabbage soup diet. In case you missed that one, you ate cabbage soup until you grew your own cabbage patch. I certainly lost on that one — with all that running back and forth to the bog, there was no way I wouldn’t lose a pound or two.

The down side was when I stopped and returned to my normal eating habits, the weight came back on faster than the Hindenburg went down. Not only did I gain back what I lost, but I added a few extra pounds for good measure. About the only one that really worked — and lasted for a time — was “The Blood Sugar Solution” by Dr. Mark Hyman. But my addiction to Krispy Kremes was greater than my desire to fit into size-10 jeans.

And so another journey begins. Not for Nuthin™, I think I will hop aboard with Ms O. and try Weight Watchers yet again. Yes it will make her richer, but you can never be too rich or too thin. Happy New Year to all, and good luck on your own resolutions.

Follow me on Twitter @JDelBuono.

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