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2015 All-Queens boys basketball honors

By Joseph Staszewski

What a boys’ basketball season it was in Queens as the borough produced three city champions.

Christ the King became the first CHSAA program to win three straight Class AA intersectional crowns since Tolentine (1980-82) and is just the fourth school in history to accomplish that. The Royals’ quest to win a third consecutive state Federation crown, however, was ended by Wings in the title game.

Springfield Gardens rode a talented squad and the emotion of alum Anthony Mason’s death to the PSAL Class A title, the schools first crown since 1983. Maspeth in just its first varsity season took home the PSAL Class B championship. Cardozo tried to repeat, but fell to Wings in the league’s ‘AA title game after losing to Construction in the borough final for the second straight year.

All these accomplishments came via plenty of talented players. Here are those deemed the best in Queens for the 2014-15 season:

All-Queens Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year: Rawle Alkins, Christ the King

Alkins lived up to the billing of being arguably New York City’s best player. CK was the junior’s team to lead this season and he propelled them to a third straight CHSAA Class AA intersectional title and a third consecutive trip to the State Federation final. He averaged 20 points per game. Alkins was the CHSAA regular season and post season MVP and posted the first triple-double by a boys’ player in Christ the King history

All-Queens Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year: Angelo Buono, Springfield Gardens

Springfield Gardens finally got over the hump during an emotional March for the program. Buono and the Golden Eagles drew an extra sense of purpose from the death of alum Anthony Mason. Springfield Gardens honored him with its hard-nosed play by winning the school’s first city title since Mason led them to one in 1983. It did so against one of the most talented and deepest PSAL Class A Divisions in recent years. Buono made all the pieces fit for a memorable run.

All-Queens Boys’ Basketball First Team

G Jose Alvarado, Christ the King

The sophomore guard quickly established himself as one of the city’s top young players. His ability to attack the paint helped all of CK’s talented pieces to come together. Alvarado was a clutch scorer and underrated defender, who averaged 13 points per contest.

G Jermaine Bishop, Holy Cross

The St. Louis-bound guard saved his best season for last. Bishop was one of the area’s best all-around guards. He put all his skills on display during the Knights’ run to their first CHSAA semifinals since 2012. The senior averaged 20 points per game and had 27 points, six assists and five rebounds in a city quarterfinal win.

G Justin Wright-Foreman, Construction

Wright-Foreman is a pure scorer no matter what defenses try to throw at him. The Hofstra-bound guard averaged 24 points and four rebounds per game to help Construction win its second straight PSAL Queens borough title. He had 29 points against Cardozo in that contest.

F Rashond Salnave, Benjamin Cardozo

Salnave become more than just a big-time scorer this year. The junior guard improved his rebounds and became more committed to defense. Salnave averaged 15 points, six rebounds and four assists in league play and helped Dozo reach the PSAL title game for the second straight year.

G Aaron Walker, Benjamin Cardozo

The junior guard is the city’s best ball defender because of his strength and unrelenting nature. Walker played clutch ball all season for the Judges whether it was a big shot, key charge or timely steal. He averaged 15.7 points and five rebounds as part of one of the best backcourts in the five boroughs.

Second Team

G Kyle Allman, Construction

The Cal-State Fullerton committed proved he can put the ball in the basket time and time again. Allman tallied 17 points and seven rebounds per contest and formed a superb duo with Justin Wright-Foreman for the PSAL Queens borough champs.

G Jared Rivers, Jr., Christ the King

Rivers didn’t have eye-popping stats, but the junior got it done in the key moments for the Royals. He averaged 13 points per contest and was seemingly in the middle of every meaningful CK run on its way to a third straight CHSAA crown.

F Tareq Coburn, Benjamin Cardozo

The junior wing burst onto the scene during the Judges run to the SNY Invitational crown. The Division I scholarship offers starting rolling in as Coburn made jumper after jumper. He averaged 11 points and five boards.

C Isaac Grant, Archbishop Molloy

Grant was a force around the paint. The junior center, despite being undersized, averaged 18 points and nine rebounds per game. He dropped in 41 points in a contest this season and led Molloy to the CHSAA quarterfinals.

G Shane Herrity, St. Francis Prep

The senior’s blue-collar style was contagious with his teammates. Herrity averaged 20 points per game and shouldered a lot of responsibilities for the Terriers. His ball handing and defense were also big keys to their success.

Honorable Mention

G Joel Boyce, Springfield Gardens

F Tyrone Cohen: Christ the King

G Jaheam Cornwall, Jr., Francis Lewis

G Daniel Hernandez, Bayside

F Ian Howard, Springfield Gardens

F Jamel Kearney, Campus Magnet

F Joshua Nurse, Queens HS of Teaching

G Paolo Tamer, Maspeth

G D’Ante Warren, Archbishop Molloy

G Christian Wilson. Holy Cross