First Year Factors
The junior varsity level has changed over time. Originally leagues would be divided by borough. Each borough would have two to three divisions. Those divisions would be groups of eight teams. Those teams would compete for the best record. Each…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe junior varsity level has changed over time. Originally leagues would be divided by borough. Each borough would have two to three divisions. Those divisions would be groups of eight teams. Those teams would compete for the best record. Each division winner would be considered the champion. The old format would prepare players for varsity, but it didn’t get city-wide credibility. Today’s JV players are competing in similar divisions during the regular season. The division title does not grant team championships anymore. The top two teams from each division get a spot in the playoffs. 32 teams compete in a postseason city-wide tournament. This new format prepares players and builds confidence for the next level.
Xavier Barrow Susan Wagner Highschool (15-1). The Falcons ranked 5th overall, with a chance to win a city title. Xavier Barrow is averaging 15.0 PPG. & 3.8 APG. The Falcons will play Dewitt Clinton in the city-wide quarterfinals.
Karriem Thomas Dewitt Clinton High School (14-0). The governors are ranked 4th in the city. Karriem Thomas is putting up 11.91 PPG. & 4.82 APG. Karriem is the x-factor for the governors. The governors will play Susan Wagner in the city-wide quarterfinals.
Isaiah Wright Benjamin Cardozo High School (14-0). The judges have their eyes on the prize as the number 2 ranked team. The freshman phenom Isaiah Wright is averaging 13.4 PPG. 5.9 RPG & 3.0 APG. The judges will play Curtis high school in the city-wide quarterfinals.
Thomas Jefferson Highschool (9-3). Tywan Evans & Kejuan Brown are factors for the orange wave. Tywan Evans is averaging 15.9 PPG. Kejuan Brown is putting up 11.0 PPG. The freshman contribution earned the orange wave a playoff berth.
Samuel Martinez Eagle Academy For Young Men (10-2). The Eagles were a top ten team in the city this season. Samuel Martinez sent a message with 12.4 PPG. & 11.1 RPG. Another year of junior varsity he will definitely be ready for the next level.
Some freshmen are good enough to play varsity right away. First-year players are making an impact on competitive teams. Only a few get opportunities. It is up to the individual what they do with that opportunity.
Oussema Saudi Washington Irving HS (10-6). Oussema contributed to an “A’ division playoff berth. Oussema Saudi is averaging 16.5 PPG. & 11.5 RPG. Not many freshmen can put up a double-double.
Seck Zongo Murry Bergtraum HS (20-0). The blazers have been on fire all season. Murry Bergtraum is currently contending for an “A” division city title. Seck Zongo has been the ultimate x-factor during the blazers run. Seck Zongo is putting up 6.9 PPG. 16.2 RPG. & 7.3 APG. The Blazers play 21-0 Bedford Academy in city semi-finals.
Mattew Cantor Townsend Harris Highschool (15-0). The Hawks finished the season undefeated. Townsend Harris is currently a B division city contender. Every team needs a young buck to step up. Matthew Cantor has been that guy. Matthew Cantor is averaging 12.8 PPG. & 13.6 RPG.
The game has evolved and will continue to. The freshmen today will inspire the freshmen for tomorrow. Usually, the sophomores lead and the freshmen follow. Sophomores still play that role today, but freshmen contribute more. Some non-competitive varsity teams have a Freshmen leading scorer. We’ll see what the class of 2023 has in store next.