Note: More media content is available for this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Brooklyn continued to prove it is the city’s premier basketball borough, despite the lack of championships brought home this season.
Abraham Lincoln and Bishop Loughlin were loaded with Division-I talent and were two of the best squads in the tri-state area. Loughlin won the Brooklyn-Queens championship, but lost in the city final. Jefferson made its third straight appearance in the Public School Athletic League Class AA title game and Bishop Ford went on an unexpected run to the Catholic Class A championship game. Bedford Academy and Berkley Carroll also could not finish off deep playoff runs. The only team to bring hardware back to the borough was Brooklyn Community Arts and Media, which was 30–0 when it claimed the Public School Class B crown.
Here are the players who kept Brooklyn basketball atop the city:
All-Brooklyn Player of the Year: Khadeen Carrington, Bishop Loughlin
The Seton Hall-bound Carrington took his game to another level this season. His jump shot became more consistent, making him a nightmare to guard. The senior and Loughlin’s all-time leading scorer, was the Catholic league’s regular-season most valuable player after averaging 24.2 points per game and scoring 20 or more points 19 times. Carrington dropped in 42 points help Loughlin win its first diocesan crown since 2008. But his 21 points weren’t enough to get the Lions past Christ the King for the city title and provide the perfect cap to a stellar senior season.
All-Brooklyn Coach of the Year: Lawrence “Bud” Pollard, Thomas Jefferson
Pollard declared himself the new big dog in Brooklyn after the Orange Wave pulled the upset of the season by beating Abraham Lincoln in the Public School Athletic League Class AA semifinals. Jefferson finished second in the division and had lost to the Railsplitters three times before knocking them off. Pollard’s intense style was able to keep his players motivated to reach the program’s third-straight city final. He had the Orange Wave closing in on the elusive crown before falling to Cardozo in the closing seconds.
All-Brooklyn First Team:
Guard: Daqauise Andrews, Thomas Jefferson
Andrews was one of the city’s more underrated performers. The senior averaged 15.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and four assists per game. He did everything on the court for the Orange Wave. Andrews led Jefferson to a second-place finish in the Brooklyn AA division, and his 20 points in an upset of Abraham Lincoln in the semifinals helped earn the Orange Wave a ticket to its third-straight city title game.
Guard: Davere Creighton, Brooklyn Collegiate
The junior forward was a dynamic force in the paint for the Lions. He averaged 15.8 points per game and 9.1 rebounds as Brooklyn Collegiate finished tied for third in Brooklyn AA. Creighton had 10 points and eight rebounds in the Lions’ upset win over No. 2 Wings Academy in the city quarterfinals.
Forward: Desi Rodriguez, Abraham Lincoln
The Seton Hall-bound forward really stepped up his game this season, helping him earn a Division-I scholarship. The super-athletic Rodriguez has a blue-collar work ethic on the boards, making him one of the city best offensive rebounders. He averaged 18.2 points and 11 rebounds and formed a dynamic duo with Whitehead. Rodriguez also wowed crowds with his highlight-reel dunks.
Guard: Isaiah Whitehead, Abraham Lincoln
The McDonald’s All-American lived up to the hype. The Seton Hall-bound senior was trouble to guard with his speed and smooth jumper. He led Lincoln to a national ranking during the regular season and a Brooklyn borough title. Whitehead averaged 23.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. His career came to an early end in city semifinal loss to Thomas Jefferson.
Guard: Mike Williams, Bishop Loughlin
There may not be a better shooter in New York City. The Rutgers-bound Williams averaged 16.9 points per game to help his school win its first Brooklyn-Queens diocesan title since 2008. He dropped in 18 of his game-high 30 points against St. Peter’s in the intersectional semifinals to propel Loughlin to is second-straight final. Williams is also a tenacious defender and rebounder.
All-Brooklyn Second Team:
Forward: Elisha Boone, Abraham Lincoln
The St. Peter’s-bound forward transferred to Lincoln and showed the city he was a more dynamic player than the one they saw at Bishop Loughlin his sophomore year. He averaged 13.8 points per game during the regular season and increased to 20.4 in five playoff games. Boone is superb in transition and a high flyer.
Forward: Javian DelaCruz, Bishop Loughlin
Delacruz was one of the city’s most clutch shooters and an important reason the Lions had one of the best seasons in the city. He hit backbreaking three-pointers at key moments on a nightly basis. Delacruz averaged 14.2 points per game and dropped in 15 points in Loughlin’s regular season over Chirst the King.
Guard: Isaiah Gurley, George Westinghouse
Gurley was a major reason for Westinghouse’s resurgent season. The senior quietly went about averaging 16.6 points per game along with 7.5 assists and 6.5 rebounds. He helped power his team to tie for third in the ultra-competitive Brooklyn AA division.
Guard: Shamorie Ponds, Thomas Jefferson
The super sophomore was exactly that. Ponds proved he is an elite and explosive young player, averaging 15.4 points, 5 .8 rebounds and 5.6 assists during the regular season. Ponds dropped in 21 points in Jefferson’s upset victory over Lincoln. He has a bright future ahead.
Guard: Samson Usilo, Nazareth
The Kingsmen didn’t repeat as city champions, but that didn’t stop Usilo from having the best season of his career. The ultra-athletic wing was again a dominant force, and one of the city’s must-see dunkers. His jump shot also improved to help Naz string 17 straight wins together.
All-Brooklyn Honorable Mentions:
Forward: Ahmed Alkhulaidi, Nazareth
Center: Christopher Benjamin, Brooklyn Community
Guard: Patrick Brown, Thomas Jefferson
Forward: Saion Charles, Xaverian
Guard: Devin Dingle, Bishop Ford
Guard: Shane Pearley, Berkeley Carroll
Forward: Wolfgang Novogratz, Poly Prep
Guard: Doudmy Saint Hilaire, South Shore
Guard: Darren Thomas, Bedford Academy
Guard: Anthony Williams, Abraham Lincoln