See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Two rising juniors at Brooklyn Collegiate are proving that raising the bar can help you jump higher.
Craig McKenzie and Jahlil Tripp, both guards, put together solid seasons along with their Brooklyn Collegiate team Public School Athletic League’s Brooklyn Class AA boy’s basketball division, considered the best in the city. The Lions finished 8–10 overall and made the playoffs with a roster filled with sophomores. Tripp averaged 9.38 points and 5.06 rebounds during the regular season, but increased his points to 16 per contest in two playoff games. McKenzie averaged 4.64 points per game. They noticed the difference in their play as the year went on.
“We are playing against better competition and getting better,” McKenzie said.
The pair quickly learned playing against some of the five borough’s elite programs wasn’t going to be easy.
“It was like getting on the freeway for the first time when you’re learning how to drive,” Brooklyn Collegiate coach Jacob Edwards said. “The AA is rough.”
After raising their game to compete in the AA division, both McKenzie and Tripp left their previous travel ball teams to play this summer for Sports University, one area’s top programs, also coached by Edwards. Their experience with Sports U and their rigorous sophomore year with the Lions have them primed for big years during the upcoming season.
“I think it should be different next season,” McKenzie said.
Edwards considers McKenzie, at just 15 years old, to be Brooklyn Collegiate’s most improved player this summer. He shined in Sports U’s final event of the travel ball season at the Hoop Group Buzzer Beater Challenge at Chelsea Piers. The point guard helped lead Sports U’s 15-and-under team to its age group’s title and contributed to the 16 team’s trip to the title game.
The 6-foot-2 McKenzie displayed this biggest improvement this summer by consistently driving and scoring in the lane. He showed great patience playing point guard and excellent athleticism. It all brought a smile to Edwards’ face.
“He sharpened up his left hand and that opened up all sorts of doors for him,” the coach said. “He’s just got to get stronger. He can finish with both hands, plays above the rim and he is still growing.”
Division-I colleges are already starting to take notice as interest in McKenzie is starting to grow.
Tripp’s potential on the other hand has already garnered interest from Marist, LaSalle, Quinnipiac, George Mason, St. Peter’s and Boston University. His coach believes the effort the 6-foot-3 wing puts into his game will be rewarded.
“His ceiling is enormous,” Edwards said. “If he wants to do it, he can be a dominant player.”
His players recognize their potential also and are driven to turn their personal growth into more wins for Brooklyn Collegiate this coming season. Their experience and success against some of the area’s top players has given them the confidence and skills needed to make it happen.
“I’m not intimidated by anybody,” McKenzie said. “I know if I play hard, I’ll be good.”
Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.