QUEENS — Benjamin Cardozo may have lost Jermaine Lawrence, but the Judges who remain are proving they can win without the top hoops prospect.
Cardozo picked up its third-straight victory Sunday, against John F. Kennedy Knights, 71-67. The victory at the Steve Simms Memorial AA Division Showcase at York College in Queens lifted the Judges to 14-4, who remained in first place in Queens AA; the loss dropped the Knights to 11-5. They remain in third place in Bronx AA.
The teams were among eight of the city's top high school boys hoops teams in action Sunday. A primer for the upcoming PSAL playoffs — borough championships begin Tuesday, Feb. 7 — the all-day showcase featured a handful of ranked squads as well as teams from every borough except Brooklyn.
Coming into the tournament, all the news around Cardozo had been about Lawrence's recent transfer to Pope John XXIII in New Jersey. But the Judges showcased a two-pronged attack led by senior forward Tajay Henry and senior swingman Ryan Yearwood.
Henry, who is averaging more than 17 points per game since Lawrence’s departure, put on a first-half display for the York College crowd. Handling the ball on the baseline by the 3-point stripe, Henry darted past his defender and floated from one side of the hoop to the other before finishing off the glass.
He followed that with another lightening-quick drive to the hoop for a gliding lay up, tallying eight points in the first quarter.
While the first half belonged to Henry, Yearwood owned the second.
A long and lean guard-forward, Yearwood caused havoc on both ends of the floor. In one fourth-quarter sequence the senior grabbed a rebound, accelerated his dribble and drove the length of the court before finishing with a finger roll to extend Cardozo’s lead to eight points.
The teams traded baskets before Cardozo’s Kendall Brown knocked down a 3-pointer and converted all four of his free throws in the final minute to seal the victory for the Judges.
Henry and Yearwood both poured in 22 points. Junior guard Brown added 14 points.
Muhammed Ahmed led JFK with a game-high 23 points. Bashir Ahmed added 13 points and Frayluis Henriquez scored nine points.
Cardozo coach Ron Naclerio praised his team, particularly considering how they’ve stepped up since losing Lawrence.
“I’m just so proud of my kids,” Naclerio said, pointing out Henry as one of the key team leaders. “Tarjay is a warrior. I actually call him a high school version of [L.A. Laker] Ron Artest. If you see him play it’s just contagious — he just refuses to lose.”
