Big Apple Statewide POY

<p>We have decided on our Player of the year on Long Island and the city.</p> <p><strong>Suffolk County POY. AA- [player_tooltip player_id="1204198" first="Zatai" last="Townsend"]     2022.    Brentwood</strong></p> <p>What separated Zatai from the rest of the contenders for section xi player of the year was that he does it on both ends of the court. Defensively he stays in front on the perimeter and can recover and block shots off of drives. A physical player. Offensively he can score at all three levels. Also can play above the rim. Potential has been there but this year he took on the leadership role as the man for the Brentwood team.</p> <p><strong>Suffolk County. POY. A- [player_tooltip player_id="1195583" first="Preston" last="Edmead"]     2024.       Deer Park</strong></p> <p>Think Trae Young vs the Heat on obviously a lower scale. Every game since he has been on the varsity which is now three years he has had to deal with double and triple teams. Zones and big guys guys clogging the middle leaving their men to play a one man zone. Preston has seen all that and still was able to lead his team to a Suffolk county championship game. Has an exceptional handle. Deep range and excellent vision. He knows when his teammates need the ball. He has outstanding body control to the rim. Weaves into or uses his quick first step to get under defenders and score the ball.</p> <p><strong> Nassau County  POY AA- [player_tooltip player_id="1046077" first="Jamir" last="Stewart"]   2022     Baldwin</strong></p> <p> Might not have the gaudy numbers of some other contenders for this award but you have to understand the Baldwin style. They share the ball. An extremely unselfish team. Jamir has deep range, goes downhill as quick as anyone with his head up looking to make a play. A smooth stroke. He was the engineer on this train and led them to the Long Island championship.</p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /> Nassau County. POY. A- [player_tooltip player_id="1045693" first="Liam" last="Conor"]    2023      Manhasset</strong></p> <p>In my opinion he just beat out his teammate [player_tooltip player_id="1046810" first="Mike" last="Notias"] for this award. Both might not have the individual numbers of other contenders for this award but Manhasset has plenty of weapons to get the job done. Liam was the first option. A high skill set. Very impressive game. Can drain the three ball. Has an excellent mid range game off the bounce. Real good body control and a elusive handle to the rim. </p> <p><strong>Class B.  POY. -  [player_tooltip player_id="1045928" first="Zaire" last="Baines"]                2022.    Portledge</strong></p> <p>The all time Long Island scoring leader did it with a year off from Covid postponement. A tough fearless guard. Has unlimited range. Gets to the rim with speed and a willingness to sacrifice his body. Has an unbelievable step back shot from deep. His body controll on drives, pull ups or beyond the arch is amazing to watch.</p> <p><strong>NSCHSAA  POY - Jalyke Gaines Wyatt         2022.    St Anthonys</strong></p> <p>A do it all player for the Friars. Jalyke can get off his own shot or set up teammantes off the bounce. Extremely quick first step. He was off to a good start got injured but when he came back he was the driving force in a lot of big victories for St. Anthonys. An added bonus is at the end of games he is almost automatic from the stripe.</p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Private POY - (co winners) (pictured) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1045796" first="Jayden" last="Reid"]. 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="787655" first="Jayden" last="Pierre"] Long Island Lutheran</strong></p> <p>Hate to give co winners for anything. It’s a pet peeve of mine like everyone getting a trophy. But these two players are not everyone. They are the real deal. [player_tooltip player_id="1045796" first="Jayden" last="Reid"] can score from anywhere spot  on the court. Has tremendous vision. Can drop a dime with precision or throw the length of the court as if Tom Brady was playing. Running mate [player_tooltip player_id="787655" first="Jayden" last="Pierre"] the future Providence Friar. Can break you down or attack you at full speed. Excellent handle and shooter. A complete player should have an immediate impact in the Big East.</p> <p><strong>CHSAA POY. -  [player_tooltip player_id="1167876" first="Tobe" last="Awaka"].       2022.      Cardinal Hayes</strong></p> <p>If you’ve been a reader of my posts you know how much I love this player. Big strong bodied with good footwork in the post. Holds position and can defend it on the other end. An immovable rim presence. Sports a 4.0 gpa. Will be a impact player at the next level.</p> <p><strong>CHSAA. POY - [player_tooltip player_id="1045927" first="Omari" last="Ward"].    2022.     Fordham Prep</strong></p> <p>Also a big favorite of mine Omari was handed the keys to the car as a sophomore in running the Ram offense and he never had to give them back. A smooth scoring point guard. He realizes his main job is to run the offense and score when it fits. He does an amazing job of both. An excellent handle in traffic or the open floor. Pulls the ball out when he needs to and pushes the defense back on it’s heels as well. Changes direction and speed in a flash. Will be an excellent addition running a club at the next level.</p>