Girls Track
The Cardozo Judges claimed their fourth straight Public School Athletic League (PSAL) indoor title, defeating Medgar Evers, 82-67, at the Armory in Brooklyn on Saturday, February 27. The score was much closer as it seemed, as the Judges struggled early and fell behind the Cougars, 34-16, after lackluster performances in 3,200-meter run and the 55-meter dash. But Cardozo was able to regain the lead on the strength of the 4×400-meter relay and junior Chamique Francis’ high jump victory.
Girls Basketball
In a stunning upset, No. 7 seed Manhattan Center defeated second-seeded Francis Lewis High School, 42-36, in the quarterfinals of Queens ‘AA’ division playoffs at York College on Saturday, February 27. The Patriots held a 1-point halftime lead, but came out flat in the third and fell behind by eight points heading into the final quarter. The Lady Rams’ stifling defense held Francis Lewis scoreless for over three minutes late in the fourth, sealing the upstarts’ victory. Senior center Sabrina Jeridore, who averaged a double-double per game in the regular season, was held to only seven points in the loss.
Boys Basketball
The upsets were not only on the girls’ side of the ball, as perennial PSAL powerhouse Forest Hills was knocked off by ninth-seeded Curtis at Forest Hills High School on Thursday, February 25. The Rangers surrendered a 12-point halftime lead and lost the lead for good with 40 seconds to play in the fourth quarter. Unfairly seeded eighth by some standards, Forest Hills went 11-3 in the regular season, losing their division to Cardozo High School. The Rangers’ second-round ousting scraps plans for a Cardozo-Forest Hills marquee match up in the quarterfinals.
It came down to the wire as Christ the King defeated Bishop Loughlin, 66-61, in the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan title game at Holy Cross High School in Flushing on Saturday, February 27. Sophomore guard Omar Calhoun posted a game-high 23 points, while CHSAA player of the year Jayvaughn Pinkston had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Loughlin. With the victory, the Royals claimed their second consecutive Diocesan title and the top seed in the upcoming CHSAA Class ‘AA’ playoffs.
