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By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Brooklyn again produced some of the city’s brightest girls’ basketball stars.
Nazareth featured four Division-I commits, including McDonald’s All-American Bianca Cuevas, who is headed to South Carolina. They helped lead the Lady Kingsmen to the Catholic Class AA state title game. South Shore also had two top recruits in Brianna Fraser (Maryland) and Emmeri Archer (Texas A&M–Corpus Christi). The Vikings rode them to the top seed on the playoffs and a second-straight trip to the Public School Athletic League AA title game.
Midwood reached the public school semifinals and Bishop Kearney made it back-to-back Brooklyn-Queens Division I diocesan crowns. Brooklyn College Academy saw its previously undefeated season end one win short of a Class B city title.
The following are the players we deem Brooklyn’s best:
All-Brooklyn Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year: Bianca Cuevas
The McDonald’s All-American put a shaky junior season behind her and finished her career on a high note. The South Carolina-bound point guard carried the Lady Kingsmen with her scoring, and was a better leader on and off the court this year. Cuevas was the most valuable player of the Blue Division bracket at the Nike Tournament of champions. She will always be remembered for her electrifying 50-point performance in a Catholic High School Athletic Association state semifinal win over rival Christ the King.
All-Brooklyn Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year: Mike Moore, Midwood
The Hornets team has been a constant in the Public School Athletic League quarterfinals for more than decade, but Moore was able to take the program a step further in his fourth season since taking over for his mentor Artie LaGreca. Moore guided a veteran team to a 16–6 record and the program’s first semifinals appearance since 2003 in a loss to South Shore.
All-Brooklyn First Team:
Guard Emmeri Archer, South Shore
Archer was a driving force behind the Vikings’ success this season. The Texas A&M–Corpus Christi-bound guard provided fearless drives, clutch shots, and plenty of defense along South Shore’s road back to the Public School Athletic League title game. Her leadership will be missed.
Forward Yazmine Belk, Nazareth
The VCU-bound Belk was slowed by a knee injury for a portion of the season, but was still one of the city’s top post players. She made key defensive plays and connected on big baskets in the fourth quarter of Nazareth’s win over Christ the King in the Catholic State Class AA semifinals. The Lady Kingsmen were a different team with her on the floor.
Forward Jen Fay, Nazareth
Fay was a versatile piece for the Lady Kingsmen this season. The Quinnipiac-bound small forward was a major threat from behind the three-point arc, and could also hold her own in the paint. Fay was often Nazareth’s second scorer behind Cuevas, and could change a game with her play on both ends of the floor.
Forward Brianna Fraser, South Shore
The Maryland-bound post continued to be one of the city’s most dominant forwards. Fraser dropped in 14 points to lead the Vikings past rival Murry Bergtraum and to the top seed in the playoffs. Her 26-point performance in the final against Francis Lewis wasn’t enough to bring home South Shore first title.
Forward Amina Markovic, Midwood
Markovic kept getting better and better with each season and it showed in her final one with the Hornets. The senior forward averaged 15.4 points and eight rebounds per game in league play. She had 26 points in a quarterfinal win over Curtis to lead Midwood to its first semifinal since 2003.
All-Brooklyn Second Team:
Forward Hadiyah Black, Brooklyn Collegiate
The senior forward was one of the city’s most underrated players. Black was an athletic and physical force in the paint. She averaged 12.9 points and 12.9 rebounds per game in league play to help the Lions place second in its division.
Guard Malika Chisolm, South Shore
Chisolm was an x-factor for the Vikings. The senior guard made the big plays when needed, whether it was a basket, a steal, or a pass to an open teammate. She tallied 11 points in a big regular win season over Brooklyn Collegiate.
Guard Kayla Formey, Midwood
The explosive guard was the on-floor leader of the Hornets. Formey averaged 15.1 points per game in league play and controlled the offense to perfection, helping Midwood reach the city semifinals. She dropped in 25 points to beat Curtis in the quarterfinals.
Guard Danielle Patterson, Medgar Evers
Patterson was considered by many to be the city’s best freshman, and she sure played like it. She averaged 17.8 points per game in Public School Athletic League play to help begin the process of turning the Cougars program around.
Guard Brandi Seagers, Boys and Girls
The Bishop Ford transfer excelled during her time with the Kangaroos. The senior was one of the Public School Athletic League’s most prolific scorers, at 19.75 points per game to go along with 13.2 rebounds
Honorable mention:
Guard Shiclasia Brown, Nazareth
Forward Shanice Cadogan, Brooklyn College Academy
Guard Tajzhane Dopson, Brooklyn Collegiate
Forward Tianna Henderson South Shore
Guard Christina Heyer, Bishop Kearney
Guard Emily Hiltunen, Bishop Kearney
Guard Jai Moore, Midwood
Guard Kate Oliver, Fontbonne Hall
Guard Fernanda Reyes Acosta, Grand Street Campus
Forward Shanniah Wright, Poly Prep