Bronx PSAL Teams with Title Aspirations
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Basketball is underway in NYC and the Bronx is burning with PSAL teams looking to capture not only their division title, but a City title as well. All things considered, there are some good teams and notable players throughout the…
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Continue ReadingBasketball is underway in NYC and the Bronx is burning with PSAL teams looking to capture not only their division title, but a City title as well. All things considered, there are some good teams and notable players throughout the PSAL. Here we will take a look at those teams in the Bronx PSAL with title aspirations.
Eagle Academy I (Bronx)
Eagle Academy I will be looking to repeat as Bronx Borough champions and take another step towards the coveted City Championship. Now with the addition of a few notable players, they look up to the task. Overall this is an up-tempo offense with shooters all over the floor and strong bodies in the lane.
Notable Players
D’andre Gibbs
D’andre Gibbs
D’andre Gibbs is a lethal shooter from outside, whether catch and shoot, or off the dribble. If defenses commit to running Gibbs off the 3-point line, he has the ability to get to the lane and finish through contact. On defense, Gibbs is a leader for Eagle Academy I. Gibbs has a knack for getting into passing lanes, and creating chaos for opposing ball handlers.
John Harrington
John Harrington
John Harrington is a strong guard with nice touch around the basket. Harrington is aggressive on the glass for his size and collects a lot of offensive rebounds for a guard. But Harrington can also shoot the ball from outside and the midrange. When called upon, Harrington guards the best player on the other team and is good at causing steals.
Notable Matchups
vs Wings Academy January 4th
at James Monroe January 11th
James Monroe Campus
James Monroe is a team that has a little bit of everything. Strong perimeter play, with guards that can breakdown defenders off the dribble. Then, Monroe has a lot of size in the paint to deter drives to the basket. Also, the tenacity to grab offensive rebounds, get 50/50 balls, and create turnovers. Lastly, the core group is in its 2nd season together and that chemistry will go a long way in the Bronx PSAL playoffs.
Notable Players
Karifala Conde
Karifala Conde
Karifala Conde is active on both sides of the floor, and is willing to make all the hustle plays. For his size, Conde is an amazing rebounder and fights for every possession. When it’s time to attack the basket, Conde does this relentlessly. His continuous effort wears down opponents throughout every contest. And his teammates feed off of his energy.
Harvin Guerra
Harvin Guerra
Harvin Guerra is a tall long force in the middle, who continues to improve every time we see him. With his size, Guerra gathers majority of the rebounds in his vicinity. And is nearly impossible to shoot over in the lane. Over the summer, Guerra worked on his low post moves and is using his length to take advantage of defenders in the post more often. With that being said, Guerra still possesses a nice jump shot and must be monitored from beyond the 3-point line as well.
Notable Matchups
at Washington Heights January 18th
at JFK Campus January 30th
Stevenson
Stevenson is a scrappy team from top to bottom and will be a problem for teams in the Bronx PSAL every night. For instance, their guards are persistently trying to get into the lane and take advantage of easy opportunities. Then, they have a traditional big man who likes to operate with his back facing the basket. Yet still have the shooters needed to keep defenses from clogging the paint.
Notable Players
Ahmed Cisse Ahmed Cisse 6’4″ | SG All Hallows | 2024 State NY attacks the basket aggressively, looking to finish through contact over any defender. Because of his willingness to embrace contact, Cisse visits the free throw line often and makes majority of his attempts. As a wing player, Cisse is long, athletic and can make both midrange and 3-point jumpers. On the defensive end, Cisse has active feet and hands. Often bothering defenders and forcing them to make difficult passes.
Justin Delapaz
Justin Delapaz
Justin Delapaz keeps his head on a swivel when the ball is in his hands. When leading the offense, Delapaz aims to get everyone involved and finds his teammates when they find open space. If the defense leaves, Delapaz with too much space, he has the ability to walk into 3-point shots. But Delapaz is smart enough to know when to pass and when to look for his shot.
Notable Matchups
vs Eagle Academy I January 9th
vs Thurgood Marshall Academy January 16th
JFK Campus
We haven’t seen much of JFK Campus but the little bit we’ve seen merited them being on this list. Still this group has a balance of long athletic bigs in the front court. At the same time, quick ball handlers who can shoot in the back court. When both tandems are operating at full steam, JFK Campus is a handful for any team in the Bronx PSAL.
Quentin Richardson can shoot the basketball. Because defenses have to be so aware of the potential 3-point threat, Richardson is often able to slip by and get to the rim. At his size, he isn’t afraid to attack larger defenders. At the same time, Richardson is smart enough to dish off the rock once recognizing a defender committed to stopping him from penetrating the lane.
Mohamed Diarrisso
Mohamed Diarrisso
Mohamed Diarrisso is a force on the inside for JFK Campus. At 6’6″ Diarrisso was all over the glass on both sides of the floor. Because of his aggressiveness Diarrisso drew a lot of fouls. All of the extra attention Diarrisso garnered, allowed his teammates to get easy layups. At times, Diarrisso was effective getting by or through defenders off the dribble. And if they happened to give him space to prevent a drive to the basket, he was able to knock down midrange shots.
Notable Matchups
at James Monroe Campus December 19th
at Eagle Academy I January 18th
DeWitt Clinton
DeWitt Clinton is attacking this season with a guard duo that can put points on the score board. For one thing, if pressured, Clinton has no problem running their offense quickly and finding open 3-point shots. Also, their strong guards can put teams in foul trouble with their aggressive play. A favorite in their division, but a sleeper contender for the Bronx PSAL borough title.
Notable Players
Anthony Durant
Anthony Durant
Anthony Durant is built solid and runs the point guard position the same way. Using his strength to bounce defenders off him, Durant is always surveying the floor. Whether to find an open teammate or an open driving lane. Durant can also hit the outside shot at a decent clip. On defense his strength bothers opposing guards and he contests attempts at the basket without fouling.
Nowah Hargrow
Nowah Hargrow
Nowah Hargrow is a scorer and he does that in different ways out on the court. Hargrow can wait in the corner and knock down open threes. Or he can go off a screen and step into a 3-pointer or midrange jump shot. If defenses close out hard, he’s shown he can recognize this and attack the basket with no fear. If his team needs a basket, Hargrow will figure out a way to get it.
Notable Matchups
vs Albert Tuitt January 8th
vs Bronx Science January 22nd