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2017 All-Queens boys’ basketball honors

2017 All-Queens boys’ basketball honors
Archbishop Molloy center Moses Brown was a 7-foot force to be reckoned. (Photo by Robert Cole)
By Laura Amato

Queens didn’t crown any boys’ hoops city champions this season, but teams across the borough still managed to impress throughout the winter.

Archbishop Molloy led the charge in the CHSAA, advancing to the program’s first city final since 1988 after clinching the Brooklyn-Queens title with a win over Bishop Loughlin. Despite a young roster, Christ the King advanced to the league quarterfinals and clinched the SNY Invitational title.

On the public school side, John Bowne stunned the basketball-watching region in the program’s first AA season. The Wildcats won the borough title, and while the team came up short in the city playoffs, the group still set a brand-new standard. Queens High School of Teaching also racked up some big-time victories.

Of course, success wouldn’t have been possible without the players. Read on to see who impressed on the court in Queens this season.

Player of the Year:

Jose Alvarado, Senior,

Christ the King

Coach of the Year:

Mike McCleary,

Archbishop Molloy

The Stanners were the favorites this season, boasting a roster full of talent and potential and McCleary made sure they lived up to all of it. Molloy won the Brooklyn-Queens title and advanced to its first city title in decades. The squad came up short of a championship, but McCleary and his players are just even more determined now, anxious to get back to the final next season.

FIRST TEAM

Cole Anthony, Sophomore, Archbishop Molloy

The guard, who was just as comfortable directing the offense as he was scoring for it, was the spark that made the Stanners go this season. Anthony averaged 20.7 points per game, including a 32-point performance in the BQ title game, and was named to the CHSAA “AA” all-star team.

Moses Brown, Junior,

Archbishop Molloy

The 7-foot standout was an obvious threat every single time he stepped onto the court, but Brown was much more than his height. This season, Brown added a defensive dynamic to his game, becoming one of the top shot blockers in the entire city. Of course, he could score too – Brown averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds.

CJ Kelly, Senior, Queens High School of Teaching

Kelly was an offensive force to be reckoned with in his final season on the hardwood, averaging a career-best 28 points per game this year. He also chipped in 9.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Tigers, who picked up the Queens AA regular-season title. Kelly has a handful of Division I offers, including one from Stony Brook.

Christian Hinckson, Senior, John Bowne

It was an emotional winter for the senior forward, who transferred to prep school early in the year before returning to Bowne just a few weeks into the season. His stats, however, didn’t suffer. Hinckson averaged a double-double in his final high school season, racking up 16.3 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

Kofi Cockburn, Sophomore, Christ the King

The first-year varsity starter got better every time he stepped on the court this season, using every inch of his frame to work toward the basket and notch points. Cockburn averaged just over 12 points per game, but it was his ability to grab rebounds and convert second-chance looks that made a difference.

SECOND TEAM

Alonzo Ortiz-Traylor, Senior, Monsignor McClancy

The leader on both sides of the ball for his team, Ortiz-Traylor took his job seriously this season and backed it up with his play. The guard led McClancy in scoring with 15.2 points per game, earning him a spot on the CHSAA “A” all-league team.

Hagel Augustin, Senior, Springfield Gardens

If the Golden Eagles wanted to put the ball in the hoop, they usually made sure Augustin was shooting. The senior standout was a force on offense, racking up 25.1 points per game in addition to 9.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He averaged 16.7 points in three playoff games as well.

Alejandro Vasquez, Sophomore, John Bowne

The shooting guard lived up to his position’s requirements this season, draining buckets from just about any spot on the court. Vasquez averaged 19.9 points during the regular season, but he was even more dominant during the playoffs. He chipped in 22.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and shot 84 percent from the line in five postseason games.

Khlaid Moore, Senior, Archbishop Molloy

He didn’t always steal the spotlight, but Moore’s ability to make big plays in big moments was unquestionable. The multi-year standout finished with 11.6 points per game this season and battled through an injury to hit his stride down the stretch.

Tyson Walker, Junior,

Christ the King

A much-needed second scoring threat in the Royals’ backcourt, Walker seized the opportunity to prove himself this season. He averaged 13 points per game, but also saw time at point guard, helping set up his teammates and work the ball into the post.

THIRD TEAM

Tykei Greene, Junior, Thomas Edison

The multi-season star has always been a dominant scorer and this season was no different. Greene averaged 24.1 points during the regular season and chipped 16.7 points in three playoff games. He also added 8.7 rebounds and two assists during the postseason.

Justin Forest, Junior Campus Magnet

The multi-year standout continues to get better, notching his best season to date this winter. Forest racked up a stellar 24.1 points per game — more than double what he averaged last year — as well as 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

Dejavaughn Utley, Junior, Cardozo

It wasn’t the most dominant year for his team, but Utley still managed to pack his own stat line. He finished with 19.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, wrapping up the season as a top-10 scorer in Queens AA.

Cai El-Smith, Senior,

Construction

The senior was a steady force for Construction on both sides of the ball this season, providing a scoring spark and solid defensive effort. Smith notched 14.5 points during the regular season and was even better during the playoffs, chipping in 16.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

Keshon Smith, Senior,
Martin Van Buren

The guard was a threat from everywhere, racking up 20 points per game during the regular season. He barely missed a step in two playoff games, chipping in 19.5 points as well.

HONORABLE MENTION

Myles Matthews, Senior, Beach Channel

John Herring, Senior, Archbishop Molloy

Jasia Wright, Junior, Construction

Adrian Cicero, Sophomore, Franklin K. Lane

Michael Durodola, Senior, Richmond Hill

Dqui Berry, Senior, Grover Cleveland

Gustavo Guillen, Sophomore, Long Island City

Jonathan Ruiz, Senior, Monsignor McClancy

Jayden Sutton, Senior, St. Francis Prep

Kyle Holston, Junior, St. John’s Prep

Jonas Cooper, Senior, Holy Cross