UNION, N.J. – Selfless play is considered rare on the summer circuit, where the basketball is subject to a vanishing act.
Distribution channels cease when egocentric players declare: I’m the show.
Sound familiar?
Roles are defined into categories of ballhandlers, defenders, shooters and warriors on the boards. When teams share the ball, it’s a throwback to Red Holtzman’s New York Knicks of the early 1970s that captured two NBA titles and the hearts of basketball purists.
Last weekend the NYC Lady Warriors 16U demonstrated a brand that coaches preach and champions buy into. No surprise the team — comprised mostly of players from national powerhouse Christ the King High in Middle Village, Queens — walked away with the 16-17U title going undefeated at U.S. Junior Nationals Big Apple Challenge at Kean University’s Harwood Arena.
The event was a tune-up for several East Coast teams in various age groups as the stakes are raised each week before culminating with July’s “live evaluation periods.”
Warriors coach Joe DeLuca, a junior girls’ varsity coach and varsity assistant at CK, marveled at his team’s all-in style.
“It’s the most unselfish team I’ve ever seen either as a player or coach,” said DeLuca, who played at Hunter College and CK. “Everyone gets the job done and executes. When some aren’t playing well others will pick up the slack. Our motto is loyalty and it shows in their play on and off the court.”
The Warriors played without Alyssa Gatti, a rising junior at CK, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament three weeks ago. Gatti, a 5-foot-4 point guard, will miss the upcoming high school season but will return next spring. “We miss her; Alyssa has a tremendous basketball IQ,” DeLuca said.
The Warriors are worth a look, based simply on selfless play.
Here’s a look at the roster with the year enterting for the fall term (all attend Christ the King unless noted), with comments from DeLuca.
Kristen Drogsler, 5-6, junior: “She’s the silent assassin and one of our more efficient players.” Can penetrate the lane but is capable of scoring. Earlier in May she scored 25 points in two games at the Hoop Group event. Considered a low Division I player.
Deja Johnson, 5-6, junior:As a top defender she welcomes the challenge of guarding an opponent’s top scorer. “Deja has a strong first step to the basket and will draw the contact.”
Cynthia Perez, 5-9, sophomore: A knock-down shooter who also has a mid-range game. A vocal leader on defense, who plays excellent help defense and no roof for potential.
Jill Conroy, 5-5, senior: She plays at Bishop Ford in Brooklyn, a league rival of CK, and possesses high energy and can score in bunches. Has interest from Division II but that could change.
Kollyns Scarbrough, 5-11, junior: A big-time talent who rebounds, runs the floor and “one of the most positive teammates you can have.” Scarborough has a high basketball IQ and a deadly mid-range game and 10-foot pull-up jumper. She’s hearing from Providence, George Mason, Stony Brook, Fordham and Marist. Expect the suitors to expand.
Jackie Kennedy, 5-10, senior: She’s physical enough to dominant the post and play with her back to the basket. “She’s hard to guard because she’ll step out and hit the 3.” Will play 3 or 4, with several local Division II school such as St. Thomas Aquinas, Dominican, Mercy, Bentley and Adelphi interested.
Taylor Butigian, 5-11, senior: “She has the potential to be a great player.” Will play effectively with her back to the basket but is deadly from the elbows, where she connects on over 50 percent of shots. She’s attracting interest from St. Bonaventure, Fordham, St. Francis (N.Y.), LIU-Brooklyn and Buffalo.
Shannon Barrett, 5-11, junior: “This spring has been Shannon’s coming out party.” After a tentative start she’s becoming more comfortable and buried nine 3-pointers in two games last weekend. She’ll also make the extra pass from the perimeter to find an open teammate. There are high expectations for a productive summer.
Success
According to tournament director extraordinaire Dr. Hope Fuery of USJN, the event was a success as both sites (also played at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Park) sold out over the Memorial Day Weekend.
Additionally coaches nominated opposing players for the all star teams in the 9 pools. Here’s who shone the brightest.
Pool A: Calli Balfour, N.Y. – Triple Threat Elite (U16); Lexi Bruno, N.J. – Philadelphia Belles (U16); Dyzhany Burton, Maryland – Adidas Team Maryland/Shooting Stars Tim (U16); Brittany Gregory, N.Y. – Triple Threat Elite (U16) Jessica Hairston, Blue Star Virginia (U17); Janae McNeal, Blue Star Virginia (U17); Taylor Ryan, N.J. – Philadelphia Belles (U16); Dionna White, Adidas Team Maryland/MD Shooting Stars Tim (U16).
Pool B: Melanie Ackerman, Virginia – Vogues Priester (U16); Kara Cezar, N.J. – Team Final (U16); Kerri Clifford, Paterson, N.J. – Ring City (U16); Tiff Cocelli, N.Y. – Westchester Hoopers Elite (U16); Liana Ilutzi, N.J. – Ring City (U16); Elizabeth Manner, Vogues Priester (U16); Jada Matthews, N.J. – Team Final (U16); Njaire McKoy, N.J. – Ring City (U16); Lilli Robb, Maryland Lady Comets (U16); Crystal Simmons, N.J. – Team Final (U16); Imani Stepney, N.J. – Team Final (U16); Brittany Williams, N.Y. – Westchester Hoopers Elite (U16).
Pool C: Christina Briscoe, Virginia – Cardinals PWCE (U17); Caroline Corcoran, N.J. – Jersey Shore Wildcats (U17); Kim Dana, Jersey Shore Wildcats (U17); Kathleen Egan, Jersey Shore Wildcats (U17); Kiera Gannon, Jersey Shore Wildcats (U17); Brianna Jones, Philadelphia Belles Bamford (U14); Chayla Lewis, Maryland – Pride (U17); Marjani Lillard, Pride (U17); Kendeedra Morgan, Cardinals PWCE (U17).
Pool D: Logan Ballard, Virginia – Monica Wright Elite (U16); Tanasia Blake, NYC Lady Warriors (U16); Amanda Lavigne, N.J. – Jersey Cardinals (U16); Alison Lewis, Philadelphia Belles (U15); Tanasia Russell, Philadelphia Belles (U15); Angie Schedler, Monica Wright Elite (U16); Kimberly Thomas, Jersey Cardinals (U16).
Pool E: Brianne Allender, N.J. – Mid-Jersey Mavericks (U16); Kaycee de Voogd, Mid-Jersey Mavericks (U16); Lina Graham, Mass. – Worcester FrontCourt Fire (U16); Aysha Harris, Long Island Lightning (U16; )Shanice Shaw, Worcester FrontCourt Fire (U16).
Pool F: Caroline Centeno, Conn. – Lay’D Athleticz (U16); Jill Conroy, NYC Lady Warriors (U16); Amanda McKenzie, Lay’D Athleticz (U16); Casey Poole, N.C. – CIC Lady Warriors (U16); Margi Rivara, NJ – Gazelles (U16); Kollyns Scarbrough, NYC Lady Warriors (U16).
Pool H: Peyton Traina, Philadelphia Belles (U14).
Pool I: Lorna Caesar, Pennsylvania Running Rebels 14U (U14); Niamh McGrath, NYC Lady Bulldogs (U14).
Note: Pool G was not reported.
