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  • A Look Back at Fordham Vs UMBC

    A Look Back at Fordham Vs UMBC

    On Sunday Afternoon Fordham Hosted UMBC in an Exhibition game benefiting Able Athletics. A non-profit organization dedicated to inclusion in sports.

    Even though the game didn’t count, it felt like it did from seeing the intensity and energy of both teams. Both teams looked like they were in mid-season form.

    Here are a few takeaways from the Game.

    The Rams are Unbeatable from three-point range.

    The Rams shot 9/17 from three-point range in the first half and they looked unbeatable as they held a 10-point lead late in the first half. Even though the Rams had fewer attempts in the second half, their hot three-point shooting is one thing that is going to win them a lot of games this season. The Rams finished the game shooting 43% from beyond the arc. It’s also worth noting that they have players from positions 1-4 that can shoot from deep.

    This game marked the debut for many new Rams including Japhet Medor the 6-0 guard who transferred to Fordham from UTSA (Texas-San Antonio). Medor shined in his debut with 23 points and seven boards on 9/14 shooting. Medor pretty much did what he wanted on offense against UMBC slashing his way to the rim for layups and hitting mid-range jumpers.

    Marcus Banks jr on UMBC had a decent game too with 21 points and 3 steals. banks were one of the driving forces behind the big run in the second half that briefly gave them a five-point lead before Fordham came back.

    The Bigs came through and Free Throws Matter.

    There was a time when the three-pointers that carried the Rams throughout the first half weren’t falling but the Rams front court of Elijah Gray and Abdou Tsimbla who provided inside scoring as well as oLafayette transfer Josh Rivera who grabbed 14 rebounds held it down keeping the Rams ahead in the rebounding department. The Rams outrebounded UMBC 44-34. Free throws also played huge as Fordham who had fewer attempts shot 9/12 from the line (75%) compared to 58 % for UMBC.

    Overall there are so many reasons for excitement as this Rams Squad who had a 25-8 record and 12-6 conference record has the chance to build on that this upcoming season. From their 3-point shooting to their ability to find other ways to score when the shots aren’t falling, it will be another exciting season ahead for the Rams.

    We’ll see the Rams again this season which starts on November 6th as they will face Wagner at home at 7:30 pm.

  • Video: Monsignor Scanlan Outlasts Eagle Bronx 53-48 in HWC Fall Championship

    Video: Monsignor Scanlan Outlasts Eagle Bronx 53-48 in HWC Fall Championship

    We are back with some Fall Ball content for you guys.

    Last Thursday’s Harlem World Classic Championship game ended up becoming a double-OT Thriller as Monsignor Scanlan behind 16 points from the super sophomore Dior Anderson defeated Scanlan 53-48 in OT.

    The game was a straight-grinder throughout. late in the fourth quarter Eagle BX had a 38-33 lead on Scanlan but the Crusaders battled back to tie the game at 38 sending it to OT. The game could have ended in regulation but missed free throws and turnovers plagued both teams luckily this was a preseason game and we expect these teams to be more sharp when the season begins.

    In the second and final OT, senior guard Kaleb Popote nailed a 3-point play in the last minute that would put the Crusaders up for good at 49-45.

    The super sophomore guard Dior Anderson was one of the few standouts from this game as he scored 16 points to lead Scanlan and Earn MVP honors.

    John Harrington held it down for Eagle BX who was down a starter with 15 points.

    Both Eagle and Scanlan could possibly meet again as they are playing in the Gauchos

  • Video Recap: NY vs NY Week 2 – Watson Edges Tri-state For First Home Win In 4 Years

    Video Recap: NY vs NY Week 2 – Watson Edges Tri-state For First Home Win In 4 Years

    Last Tuesday, Nike’s NY vs NY tournament made their way over to the Watson Classic in the Bronx where the home team was seeking their first home win in four years.

    Team Tri-State was looking to get back on track after losing to Dyckman on Week 1. Going into the 4th quarter it looked like Tri-state was going to get their first win as they were up 61-50 with 3:22 remaining.

    Team Watson would go on to outscore Tri-state 18-5 the rest of the way and get a clutch block from 2025 St. Raymond’s guard / wing Brandon Stores Jr. To seal the win.

    Stores finished with 11 points and 10 boards while the Player of the Week Robert Wright III led all scorers with 30 points.

    Cardinal Hayes senior Adam Njie led Tri-state classic with 23 points and dished out five assists. Tai Turnage added 11 points and 4 assists

    Post game Interview with Brandon Stores Here

    Post game Interview with Watson Classic Commisioner Lee Jones Here

    NIGEL JAMES FOR THE WIN: In the first game Lincoln Park defeated West 4th 59-57 in a nail biter. Nigel James a 2025 guard from Cushing Academy who’s from Long Island scored the game winning layup with time expiring. James scored 10 points and dished out four assists. James earned NY vs NY player of the week honors as well.

    West 4th was led by William Sydnor who scored 21 points and grabbed eight boards.

  • A Look Back at the NBPA Top 100 Camp

    A Look Back at the NBPA Top 100 Camp

    On June 29th -30th , I was in Orlando , Florida for the NBPA Top 100 camp where we got to see some of the top players in the nation. Many of these players at the camp represented the tri-state area. We focused on some of those athletes as well as other athletes from across the nation. Here are some takeaways from the locals.

    DISCLAIMER: I didn’t get a chance to see every player at the NBPA Top 100 given the days I was allowed credentials for. By the time I arrived in Florida, many players left or stopped playing. So don’t be alarmed if you Don’t see your guy in this article.

    The Denver Nuggets coached by Will Barton and featuring Camp MVP Cooper Flagg win the NBPA Top 100 Championship on June 30th. Photo Credit:Claudio Delarosa

    -JB

    Jaiden Glover – 6-6 G/F The Patrick School (NJ)

    Glover was one of the top scorers in the camp through June 29th averaging 14.5 points per game on a stacked Celtics team. Even though his scoring went down a bit at the end, Glover finished the Camp among the top leaders in 3-pointers made, and the offers continued to roll in. LSU, Virginia Tech, and St. Joe’s have offered. Glover is one of many locals who is set to rise in the national rankings by August. Glover has become a major target for St. Johns according to NY Post reporter Zach Braziller.

    VJ Edgecombe – 6-7 SF Long Island Lutheran HS.

    Edgecombe had a huge week at the camp earning All-star Honors. Edgecombe averaged 15 points throughout the camp. Since the camp ended, Edgecombe has earned offers from Bluebloods such as Duke and Uconn and other high majors such as Ole Miss and Providence.

    Tahaad Pettiford 6-2 G Hudson Catholic HS (Auburn Commit)

    Tahaad Petiford led his Golden State team to a deep run in the playoffs and finished top 5 in Points per game, assists, and steals. Pettiford showed why he is among one of the top guards in his class nationally at the camp. Pettiford’s final averages were 20.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 5.2 assists per game.

    Other Notable Locals

    Tyler Betsey ‘24 – 6-8 SF St. Thomas More (CT)

    Finished the Camp amongst the leaders in 3pt FGs and 3pointers made.

    Amongst the locals that did their thing, there was a slew of players from outside of the tri-state area that we had seen a lot that we gotta give props to.

    Jahlil Bethea 6-4 SG Archbishop Wood HS (PA)

    Crowned as the score lord 2.0 q by Checkball magazine CEO Littel Vaughn, Jalil Bethea’s 30-point performance on Thursday, June 29th proved that he’s a straight-up Bucket. The 30-point performance is just one of many big scoring performances he has had throughout June.

    Cooper Flagg 6-9 SF Montverde Academy (FL)

    Flagg, the NBPA Top 100 MVP impressed all week. The way he dominates games is crazy even though the fatigue got to him during the camp championship game he was still deserving of the MVP Award in our eyes.

    His showdown with Cameron Boozer was the highlight of the camp and pretty much will be the trending topic for years to come as their careers progress. Flagg got to go up against Boozer twice at the EYBL Peach Jam.

    Morez Johnson Jr. 6-10 Forward Thornton HS (Chicago)

    I got to see Johnson on the final day of the camp in the playoffs. He might be one of the best stretch forwards in the class with his skill set, he’s going to help win a lot of games for Brad Underwood when he arrives in Illinois in the fall of 2024.

    Darius Acuff ‘25 6-2 Guard, Cass Tech HS (Michigan)

    Darius Acuff was good as advertised in our eyes one of the top guards in the camp. Acuff finished 2nd in scoring with 24.8 points per game and his showing proved how you can go from not being mentioned at all to the cream of the crop. Acuff is one player I would like to see come to Mecca to prove himself.

    Robert Wright III 6-1 PG Montverde Academy (FL)

    The Baylor commit from Philly is a winner! I’ve seen it in the championship game when he hit the clutch layup to seal the win. Wright III led the camp in assists per game (6.6) and second in assist/turnover ratio (3.0). If he isn’t in your Top PG discussion for the class of 2024 you are playing yourself. We got to see him in person this past Tuesday at NY VS NY but we’ll talk about that in our next piece.

    Flory Bidunga 6-8 PF Kokomo HS (Indiana)

    Flory Bidunga plays bigger than 6-8. From what we have seen during his 20-point, 14-rebound performance on Friday, June 30th, Bidunga proved that not a soul can hold him down in the paint. Bidunga shot 70 % from the floor throughout the whole camp making him the leader in Field goal percentage. The Walking double-double is making a case for being a top 5 PF in the class of 2024.

    Tyran Stokes 6-8 F Prolific Prep

    Tyran Stokes’s Energy on the court especially in a win-or-go-home situation is unmatched. The first time I saw Stokes play was back in January at the Grind Session Event here in NYC. At Top 100, I got the chance to see him in the semifinals and championship he gets right to it from once the ball tips off and he always keeps his foot on the gas. He doesn’t back down at all either his competitiveness is what separates him from a lot of players his age.

    Aj Dybantsa 6-8 SF Prolific Prep

    Yo Massachusetts ya got one! AJ Dybantsa finished the camp as the top scorer with 28.3 points per game. He was one of many underclassmen who made their presence known to everyone that week. Looking forward to seeing Dybantsa play more throughout his HS career.

    A couple more out-of-towners.

    Jamari Philipps

    Cameron Boozer

    Akai Flemming

    Kon Knueppel

    Derik Queen

    Mercy Miller

    Jayden Quintance

    Daquan Davis

    Ahmad Nowell

  • HDNYC Tri-State Players to Watch List For Classes 2024-26

    HDNYC Tri-State Players to Watch List For Classes 2024-26

    Throughout the 2022-23 High School Basketball Season as well as some spring events during the postseason we got to witness so much talent that the New York Tri-State area has to Offer. There are many prospects that we all know that are not only the best in the region but also in the country, but there are also many players who have put in work but their names need to be known more. This is the reason why I decided to do a watch list instead of player rankings.

    This watch list contains players we have seen throughout the 2022-23 season as well as some various spring events as well as some players who were nominated by some of the top coaches in the area.

    This Watch list will be updated every 2-4 months and will be a feature on a Editorial project that we will be announcing soon.

    2nd nomination period has begun, Coaches and directors can nominate their players by filling out the form here

    The Goals in the future is to include players from New Jersey and other areas within the Tri-state.

    (***)- Player is set to do a Postgrad Year

    2024

    Boogie Fland 6-2 PG Archbishop Stepinac HS Bronx, New York

    Ian Jackson 6-6 G/F Cardinal Hayes HS Bronx, NY

    Taj Bryant 6-0 PG Eagle Academy For Young Men II HS  Queens, NY

    Jaiden Glover Toscano 6-6 G/F The Patrick School, Newark, NJ

    Dylan Harper 6-4 SG Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey , NJ

    Qadir Martin 6-6 F St. Peter’s High School Staten Island, NY

    Jakai Saunders 6-4 SG Bishop Loughlin HS, Brooklyn, New York

    Elijah Moore 6-5 SG Cardinal Hayes HS , Bronx New York

    Christian Jeffrey 6-2 PG Bishop Loughlin HS Brooklyn, NY

    Adam Njie 5-11 PG Cardinal Hayes HS , Bronx, New York

    Richard Brisco 6-9 PF Roselle Catholic High School Brooklyn, New York

    Tarik Watson, 6-8 F Roselle Catholic High School, Middletown, New York 

    Darnell Childs 5-9 PG, HS of Construction Queens, NY

    Dwayne Pierce 6-6 SF Christ The King HS, Long Island, NY

    Steven Solano 7-0 C Cardinal Hayes HS, Bronx New York

    Tyler Edore 6-7 Forward Brooklyn Collegiate HS Brooklyn, NY

    Eddy Munyak 6-2 SG Eagle Academy Brooklyn HS , Brooklyn NY

    Ashton Reynolds 6-4 SF Transit Tech CTE High School Brooklyn New York

    Braylan Ritvo 6-6 SF Archbishop Stepinac, New York, NY

    D’andre Gibbs 6-0 Guard Eagle Academy For Young Men Bronx, New York

    Braylan Sanjurjo 5-9 PG Eagle Academy For Young Men , Bronx, New York

    Quifang Pang 6-9 F Christ The King HS, Queens, NY

    ***Jayden Johnson 5-10 PG Brooklyn Collegiate HS – Brooklyn, NY

    Sir Patrick Livingston 6-2 guard South Bronx Prep HS – Bronx, NY

    Nasir Rodriguez 6-4 SG Monsignor Scanlan HS – Queens, NY

    Elijah Cherry 6-4 W St. Raymond’s High School – Bronx, NY

    Tyler Michel 6-2 SG St. Francis Prep HS – Queens, NY

    Jaiden Gaston 5-11 guard Monsignor McClancy HS – Queens, NY

    Siyani Arthur 5-9 PG Brooklyn Law & Tech HS – Brooklyn, NY

    Kevin Kearney 6-8 Wing South Shore HS , Brooklyn, NY

    Anthony Gilkes 6-5 G South Shore HS, Queens, NY

    Kyle Dhu 6-2 SG Brooklyn Law & Tech HS

    Brooklyn, NY

    Keeshawn Murray 6-3 Wing Brooklyn Law & Tech HS Brooklyn, NY

    Aymhir Penn 6-11 Forward Brandeis High School, Brooklyn New York

    Nowah Hargrow 6-0 guard Dewitt Clinton HS Bronx, NY

    Jordan Gabriel 6-8 PF Archbishop Stepinac HS Long Island, NY

    VJ Edgecomb 6-7 SF LI Lutheran Brookville, NY

    Carlos Urena 5-11 PG Monsignor McClancy HSQueens, NY

    Jacob Moreno 6-4 SG Holy Cross HS Queens, NY

    Elijah Small 6-7 Forward Archbishop Molloy HS Queens, NY

    Xavier Agyemang 6-6 Forward South Bronx Prep HS Bronx , NY

    Jahmire Brewer 6-8 Forward Archbishop Molloy High School Queens, New York

    Nolan Raymond 6-0 PG St. Francis Prep HS Queens, New York 

    Anthony Graziano 6-6 Forward St. Joseph’s By the Sea HS Staten Island, NY

    Chris Judge 6-1 guard John Bowne HS Queens, New York

    Jordin Walker 5-10 guard Cardozo HS Queens, New York

    Nick Lam 5-9 guard Tottenville HS Staten Island, NY

    John Harrington 5-10 Guard Community Health of the Heights HS New York, NY

    Daniel Ogundele 6-4 SG Epic South HS Queens, New York

    Oke OkroKoto 6-9 C Christ The King HS, Queens New York.

    Chase Beasley 6-3 SG Canarsie HS Brooklyn, New York.

    Darren McFarlane 6-5 F Monsignor Scanlan HS Bronx, NY

    Ahmed Ibrahim 6-7 PF Thomas Edison High School, Queens, New York

    Jago Robinson 6-2 SG South Shore High School Brooklyn, New York

    Ryan Jackson 5-10 PG Fordham Prep New York, NY

    Melvin Nunez 6-6 PF, South Bronx Prep HS Bronx, New York

    Jacob Roman 6-4 SG, Nazareth HS Brooklyn, New York

    Elijah Witter 6-3 G Nazareth HS , Brooklyn, New York

    William Sydnor 6-8 Wing The Patrick School (NJ) New York, NY

    Daye Kaba 6-6 F The Patrick School (NJ) Brooklyn, NY

    Diego Milord 5-9 PG Boerum Hill School, Brooklyn NY

    Scotty Lee 6-4 SG Boys and Girls HS Brooklyn, NY

    Bryan Mercedes 6-2 SG Longwood Prep Academy Bronx, NY

    Tristan Burth 6-7 PF Stevenson High School, Bronx, New York

    Sean Johnson 5-11 PG Brooklyn Collegiate HS Brooklyn, New York

    Terell Hood 6-2 SG Thurgood Marshall Academy Harlem, New York 

    Zaire Butts 6-1 G Thurgood Marshall Academy Harlem, New York 

    Amir Hughes 6-3 G Fannie Lou Hamer high School  Bronx, New York 

    Isaiah Rivera 6-1 G Fannie Lou Hamer High School Bronx, New York 

    Joe Evangelista 5-11 PG Xavier High School New York, NY

    Lucas Feliciano 5-11 PG Nyack High School Nyack, New York 

    Abdul Jaleel Ibrahim 5-10 G Mott Haven Educational Campus HS

    2025

    Halon Rawlins 6-6 Wing Nazareth HS Brooklyn, NY

    Tai Turnage 5-10 PG St. Raymond’s HS (BX) Queens, New York

    Ifaola “Tacko” Fawaz 6-11 C The Patrick School, Hillside, New Jersey

    Brandon Stores 6-4 SG St. Raymond’s HS Bronx, NY 

    Markell Alston 6-2 PG Christ The King HS Queens, NY 

    Tristan Davis 5-10 PG Thomas Jefferson HS , Brooklyn, NY 

    Kiyan Anthony 6-5 G/F Long Island Lutheran HS , Brookville, NY 

    Danny Garbuccia 6-0 PG Archbishop Stepinac HS, Bronx, New York

    Connor Spratley 6-0 PG Thomas Jefferson HS Brooklyn, NY

    Preston Edmead 6-0 PG Williston Northampton School (MA) Long Island, NY

    Isaiah Brown 6-3 Guard Don Bosco Prep

    Brandon Lee 6-5 SG The Patrick School (NJ) Hillside, New Jersey

    Jayden Forsythe 6-5 SG Westtown School (PA) Brooklyn, New York 

    Flavio Jean 6-1 PG Brooklyn Collegiate HS Bronx, NY 

    Kayden Mingo 6-2 PG Long Island Lutheran HS, Glen Head, NY

    Asher Elson 6-10 Forward South Shore HS, Brooklyn, NY 

    Harvin Guevara 7-0 F / C James Monroe HS, Bronx, New York 

    Mekhi Beckford 6-0 Guard Stevenson HS Bronx, New York 

    Kaelan Destin 6-3 SG WHEELS HS, New York, NY 

    Vere Anthony 6-0 guard St. Francis Prep Queens, NY 

    Johnny Keenan 5-10 PG Iona Prep New Rochelle, NY 

    Hao Chen 6-4 G/W St. Francis Prep Queens New York 

    Marcus Maxwell-Grimes 6-3 Guard/Wing Monsignor McClancy HS. Harlem, NY

    Kaleb Popote 6-2 G Monsignor Scanlan HS Bronx, NY 

    Jayden Ramirez 6-4 G Christ The King HS, Queens, NY

    Amari McCameron 6-3 guard Brooklyn Law & Tech HS, Brooklyn, NY 

    Mohammed Jaiteh 5-10 PG James Monroe Campus High School

    Nigel Moore 6-1 PG St. Francis Prep HS Queens, NY 

    Joshua Thompson 6-5 G/W Mount St. Michael HS Bronx, NY  

    Karifala Conde 6-4 W James Monroe Campus HS Bronx, NY 

    Cam Mena 6-3 SF St. Edmunds Prep Brooklyn, New York

    Mohammed Rashid 6-3 G James Monroe Campus HS, Bronx, NY 

    Jameer Matthews 6-3 G Christ The King HS, Queens, NY 

    Ahmad Torrence 6-5 G Thurgood Marshall Academy Harlem, NY 

    Sasha Mermelstein 5-10 guard Horace Mann School , Bronx, NY 

    Connor Igoe 6-7 PF Poly Prep Brooklyn, New York 

    Karim Camara 6-0 PG Poly Prep Brooklyn, New York

    Olivian Owens 6-7 PF Green Tech HS Albany, New York 

    Tori Babs 6-6 F Brooklyn Collegiate HS Brooklyn, New York

    Tyson Clark 6-2 Guard West Nottingham Academy (MD) Middletown, NY 

    Jaziah Luckie Carter 6-7 SF Brooklyn Collegiate High School , Brooklyn New York

    Jackson Southerland 6-3 PG/ SG Great Neck North HS Long Island, NY 

    Avery Headley 6-7 F Brooklyn Collegiate High School Brooklyn, New York 

    Xavier Beckford 6-2 SG Achievement First High School Brooklyn, New York

    Maurice Henderson 6-1 G Victory Rock Preparatory Academy (FL) Bronx, New York

    Justin Prado 5-11 PG Thurgood Marshall Academy – New York, NY

    2026

    6-1 PG Jermel Thomas – Bronx, NY – Cardinal Hayes HS 

    6-2 PG Deron Rippey – Brooklyn, New York – Blair Academy (NJ)

    6-0 PG Jalen Grant – Roselle NJ- Roselle Catholic High School

    6-7 F Oseosemana Sacko – Queens, NY – St Francis Prep HS

    6-4 G Josh Powell – Queens, NY – Archbishop Molloy HS

    Ikenna Alozie 6-3 PG – Hillside, NJ – The Patrick School (NJ)

    5-10 PG Sincere Folk – Queens, NY Archbishop Molloy HS

    Chidi Nwigwe 6-6 SG – Monroe, NY St. Benedict’s HS (NJ)

    5-9 G Xavier Cesear – Brooklyn, NY Eagle Academy II HS

    5-9 G Daquan Bryant – Brooklyn, NY Eagle Academy II HS

    6-4 Wing Kamari Whyte – Bronx, NY St. Raymond’s High School

    6-0 Guard Troy Fason – Queens, NY St. Francis Prep High School

    6-2 PG Malik Fields – Bronx NY Stevenson High School 

    6-4 W Joel Barnaby Alexander – Queens NY Monsignor McClancy HS 

    6-9 C Caleb Oriagu – Far Rockaway, NY Monsignor McClancy HS. 

    6-2 G Dior Anderson – Bronx, New York Monsignor Scanlan HS. 

    5-10 G Johansel Cruz -Bronx, NY Monsignor Scanlan HS. 

    6-0 PG Shameek Casillas – Queens, NY Bishop Loughlin HS 

    6-0 G Rich Jackson – Brooklyn, NY Bishop Loughlin HS.

    6-3 G Dylan Mingo – Glen Head, NY Long Island Lutheran HS 

    6-4 G Marquise Lloyd- Queens, NY Epic South High School 

    6-5 G Jasiah Jervis – Bronx New York, Archbishop Stepinac High School 

    6-6 SF Dylan Perry – Burlington, NJ Archbishop Stepinac High School 

    6-2 G Hassan Kouressi – Harlem, New York-Archbishop Stepinac High School 

    6-5 G James PJ Singleton – Brooklyn, New York-  Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School

    5-10 G AJ Moody Brooklyn, New York – Nazareth Regional High School

    6-1 G Jayden Lau – New York, NY – Christ The King High School

    6-4 G Jahda Swann – Brooklyn, NY – South Shore High School

  • Pregame Thoughts: NCAA East Regional

    Pregame Thoughts: NCAA East Regional

    One of the most anticipated weeks of the NCAA tournament has arrived and we got some action in our own Backyard as the NCAA East Regional returns to MSG for the first time since 2014.

    This year is special because if you know each roster contains players from the NY Tri-state area. From Harlem, to Long Island , to Westchester, Upstate all the way to Jersey. The East regional and the Sweet 16 as a whole proves how many of the top prospects have come from this area over the years.

    A lot of stake with these games so here are some thoughts going into tonight.

    Michigan State vs Kansas State is a game of pressure, also a CHSAA Homecoming.

    This matchup ever since it became official on Sunday has been running through my mind. Michigan State is back in the same place that they were in 2014, but this time the goal for them is to get out of this weekend and head to Houston next weekend rather than have their season end in the Empire State. The Spartans behind the stellar play of Christ The King Alum Tyson Walker, AJ Hoggard and Joey Hauser stomped Marquette late in the second half en route to a 69-60. The Spartans are trying to avoid what happened in 2014 but they have a huge step to get over in the Sweet 16 as they face a red hot Kansas State team.

    Kansas State one of the biggest surprises of the season (to others, not us) is looking to shock the world once again as they come into tonight’s matchup against the Spartans (+105 on Draft-kings, – 105 on FanDuel for the betters out there) and one of the players leading the way for them is East Harlem’s Markquis Nowell a product of the CHSAA (Bishop Loughlin) and the Patrick School is set to have a huge performance in his Garden Debut.

    The Wildcats also have other New Yorkers such as Naequan Tomlin (Harlem), Ishmael Massoud (East Harlem) and Tykei Greene (Queens) who are also taking this game as a home game.

    To be honest this game should have been the nightcap in my opinion however I will say this.

    Who ever wins game one will be in Houston next weekend.

    Quote me on that.

    Tennessee vs Florida Atlantic: Will the local guys flourish

    The Owls of Florida Atlantic have been one of the hottest mid major teams this season. They are also the same team that prevented FDU from coming to MSG. The Owls feature Nick Boyd and Jalen Gaffney (UConn Transfer) the active local players on this team but they also feature one of their stars Johnell Davis who went off for 29/12/5 in the win against FDU. The Garden floor always brings the best out of many players in their Garden Debut so he’s one player to watch in the nightcap.

    Tennessee’s Local products Zakai Ziegler who’s out due to injury and Tobe Awaka are here and it’s going to be great to see Awaka on this stage if he’s given minutes. Speaking of that, back on December 11th at the Hoop Hall Hall of Fame Invitational, Awaka had his best game off the bench with seven points and eight boards in the win against Maryland depending on how the front court matchup is tonight it will be interesting to see if Awaka gets some minutes.

    The Vol’s Oliver Nkahouma had a huge game against Duke in the second round with 27 and 10 boards. It will be interesting to see if he continues that tonight against FAU.

    In this game I expect Tennessee to win a close one. FAU is coming in hot won’t be an easy team to beat for the Vols.

  • Postseason Defining Moments: EDDIE FOR THE WIN Eagle Academy Brooklyn Claims First PSAL CITY Title (Video Recap)

    The 2023 PSAL title game may have ranked as one of the top 5 championship games in league history! It was An All-Brooklyn battle as Eagle Academy …

    Postseason Defining Moments: EDDIE FOR THE WIN Eagle Academy Brooklyn Claims First PSAL CITY Title (Video Recap)
  • Postseason Defining Moments: EDDIE FOR THE WIN Eagle Academy Brooklyn Claims First PSAL CITY Title (Video Recap)

    Postseason Defining Moments: EDDIE FOR THE WIN Eagle Academy Brooklyn Claims First PSAL CITY Title (Video Recap)

    The 2023 PSAL title game may have ranked as one of the top 5 championship games in league history! It was An All-Brooklyn battle as Eagle Academy Brooklyn led by LIU Commits Eric Acker and Trey Sheppard went up against Division rival Thomas Jefferson led by the deadly backcourt trio of Sophomores Connor Sprattley, Tristan “Man Man” Davis, Tywon Evans, and versatile big man Anthony Evans.

    In the first half, Eagle was up 23-15, Jefferson finished the half on a 14-7 run but Eagle went into the half ahead 30-29.  After a very tight third quarter with many ties and lead changes, Eagle was still ahead 47-45.

    The fourth quarter is what made this game a classic. Jeff went in full steam to take a 56-49 lead. At this point, the momentum shifted heavily in favor of the Orange Wave. Eagle with a large contingent of their fans in attendance at the Barclays never backed down. While Jefferson was up 60-53 Eagle will go on a 10-3 run to tie the game at 63. After a timeout, the Orange Wave answered quickly with a play that had Connor Sprattley hit a floater with one second to give the Orange wave a 65-63 lead.

    4.5 seconds left, Eagle needed an answer to close out the game and claim their first title in School’s history. Eagle looked to the 6-2 shooter Eddie Munyak who hit a three from the corner to give them the lead for good! 2.2 seconds left and not enough time for the Orange wave to get a shot off as Eagle wins 66-65 to win their 1st PSAL city title in the school’s history.

    MVP Honors went to LIU commit Eric Acker who scored 15 points in the game in front of his future head coach Rod Strickland who was in attendance.

    Championship MVP Eric Acker scored 15 points to lead Eagle Academy Brooklyn. Photo Credit: Shyon Bowles / 1pct Films

    Next Stop for Eagle BK is the State federation semifinals where they will face CHSAA “AA” Champion Archbishop Stepinac.

  • Defining Moments: 2023 PSAL Borough Championship South Shore vs Thomas Jefferson

    Defining Moments: 2023 PSAL Borough Championship South Shore vs Thomas Jefferson

    There are always those defining moments during the postseason that we will remember years from now. On Saturday at the PSAL boro championships, there were tons of them. The PSAL Boro championship ended with a crazy sequence that started with a layup by Jarrett Dingle. Then Jeff’s Nyquan Morris who stepped up in the Absence of Connor Sprattley hit a jumper to bring Jeff within one. After Tywon Evans Split free throws to tie the game at 65, Jarrett Dingle drives to the rim with 10.1 seconds remaining to score the layup but misses leaving it open for the game-winning putback by Senior Forward Jalen O’Brian.

    Check out the late 4th quarter action and the postgame interview here

  • Video Recap: Wings vs Brooklyn Collegiate at The Gotham Hoops Invitational

    Video Recap: Wings vs Brooklyn Collegiate at The Gotham Hoops Invitational

    Video Recap of Wings Academy’s 58-54 win over Brooklyn Collegiate at the Gotham Hoops Invitational this past Sunday. Wings Academy was led by the backcourt duo of seniors Messiah Rodriguez( 16 pts/ 7 rebs/ 3 assists)and Bryce Simmons (17 points / 7 boards / 3 assists) Wings led 31-26 at the half and then extended their lead in the second half to as much as 13 points, BC however will make a massive run that would cut the lead to two points late in the fourth quarter. In the end, Wings was able to hold off the Lions and escape with an ugly 58-54 win against one of the best teams out of the rugged Brooklyn AA division.