The 2017-18 season at a Glance: 18-7 overall record 10-4 regular season record, reached PSAL final four
Players to Watch: Jaquan Carlos, Marcus Burnett, Kareem Welsh
The buzz continues to grow over in East New York as the Thomas Jefferson Orange Wave prepare for another title run in 2018-19. The Orange wave has one of the top sophomore guards in the city, and their supporting cast is one of the toughest in the city. The Orange wave may be young, but with one of the best coaching staffs in the city, they are prepared for anything that comes at them.
The amount of depth that Jefferson has at the guard and wing position is astounding. We already know how deadly the combo of Jaquan Carlos and Marcus Barnett are on a nightly basis, but there are also some players who know their roles and will step up on a nightly basis when needed. Carlos can already shoot and run an offense with the best of them, and when he’s hot, he definitely plays a lot more like an upperclassman.
The X-factor on this Orange wave squad is senior Kareem Welch, the 5-10 guard is scrappy can defend, score and has a great knack for rebounding getting loose balls. In many games, Welch is the much-needed boost that Jefferson needs to propel them to victory, and he will continue to do so this upcoming season. Other players that can step up on a nightly basis are Dashan Crittendon and Ramsey King. Both can be huge sparks off the bench
Key Games to Watch
January 3rd vs. South Shore
The Orange wave will start 2019 with a big home game vs. defending PSAL city champion South Shore. The Orange wave went 1-1 against the Vikings, and if there is any game where they need to make a statement, this will be the game. Expect the game to be sold out before game day.
January 15th at Brooklyn Collegiate High School
In the first meeting between these two schools, Brooklyn Collegiate edged the orange Wave 86-85. The second and final meeting between the Orange Wave and the Lions will take place in Brownsville and stakes will be high as both teams will be playing for positioning in the Brooklyn AA standings.
February 7th at Boys and Girls HS
It’s always a high stakes battle when these two teams play each other. In this second meeting between both programs, the Orange Wave will travel over to Bed-Stuy to perform the Kangaroos. This game might be for positioning in the Brooklyn AA division as both squads are expected to finish within the top five of the division standings at the end of the regular season.
Prediction for the 2018-19 season
A few games into the season, the Orange Wave has proven to be one of the top scoring teams in the city. The orange was also had one of the top scorers in Kareem Welch who is averaging 41 points per game. Jaquan Carlos has taken more of a role of being a true point guard rather than a scorer, and so far its paying off. In many games, this season Carlos has had a triple-double. At this point, Carlos is averaging 18 point and none assists per game. Ramsey King a sophomore has had some big scoring outbursts so far this season for the Orange wave which shows that this team has a lot more depth than we think.
Competing in the Brooklyn AA division will once again a huge challenge for the Orange wave, but it’s a sure thing that they will finish within the top three of the division. As for a playoff run expect the Orange wave to make a deep playoff run once again.
Hoop Dreams NYC 
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