CHSAA Spotlight

Frank Mantesta December 24, 2021 @ 10:00 AM

Cardinal Hayes is the #1 team in the state according to the New York State sportswriters association. They got there by having about ten days of major wins that most teams hope for in a season. They defeated both Stepinac and Long Island Lutheran in that span. These schools have been in the State championship landscape for a few years( excluding last year). If you read my super seventy players in the CHSAA, you would have seen our #1 ranked player Isaiah Alexander Isaiah Alexander 6'7" | SF Archbishop Stepinac | 2022 State NY a 6”8 post player. He has been written up many times by me, He scores inside can take you off the dribble , rebounds and anchors the team. Plus he gets it done in the classroom sporting a 4.0 gpa. Christian Joe Christian Joe 5'11" | PG Bishop Loughlin | 2022 State NY had an incredible spring and summer that has spilled over the regular high school season. He can flat out score the ball. These two players should be garnering a lot of college attention. They are both the real deal. D J Victory is a small powerful guard. Don’t let his size fool you he plays big, can flush it. A tough fearless point guard. He personifies a New York point guard. Strong, tough, fast and confident. Gets his teammates involved but can score himself.

Stepinac did lose to Hayes, but don’t feel to bad for one of the best programs in the state year after year. Playing without 2024 sensation Johnuel Boogie Fland due to a back injury took its toll on them . When he comes back they will have another weapon. Right now there still pretty loaded. Danny Carbuccia could very well be the best freshman in the state. By the end of the year he may very well be regardless of class a top 10 player in the state. Danny just picked up his latest offer from Seton Hall. He can drain threes from deep or drive it and score. Isiash Alexander a transfer from Pa. Is a player the coaches asked to be more aggressive with scoring and he has answered. Isiash is a long athletic player he can score at all three levels. Uses his length to cut the corner and score off the wing. Every team needs the coach on the floor and when that player has enormous talent it is a bonus. That is what Stepinac has in Matt Walsh Matt Walsh 6'3" | SF Comsewogue | 2022 State NY a steady, smart guard. He can play either guard spot. At 6”4 he has good size. Very creative passer and scorer who is an outstanding shooter from three. I come away more impressed every time I see him. He has a good list of suitors but more D1 programs need to get in on him.

Mount St Michael might be the surprise team on this list. But for the hoop junkies in the city they knew this team had it in them. Lost a couple of players who transferred, but Mount didn’t miss a beat. Actually they look even better. A big reason to their success is Omari Ward Omari Ward 5'11" | PG Fordham Prep | 2022 State NY he was one of the biggest risers on college radars in the last year and a half. But now is on the top of a lot of college programs list. Noah combines his skill of scoring the ball along with his excellent court vision. Really good passer. Does everything at an elite level. Kelvin Collado mans the inside. As he gains experience in battling the city bigs he is realizing what it takes to be a force inside. Rebounds well and scores around the rim. Jalen Lyn is averaging 15 ppg while running the offense. Seems very poised with the ball make the right pass at the right time, but has shown the ability to be a scoring point guard.