72 The QUEE NS Courier • january 16, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com sports CROSS ICES THE COMPETITION STAR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Holy Cross cruises past Iona BY LIAM LA GUERE lguerre@queenscourier.com Holy Cross forward Steven Cacchioli knew that his team needed to be more aggressive. Having dropped two consecutive games, the team was desperate to get back on the winning side, and Cacchioli, a captain, blamed the team’s recent losses on a lack of aggression. So, he stepped up and drilled two goals to lead the Knights to a 3-1 win over Iona Prep on January 11. The Knights (CHSHL 5-4-0) were dominant through the game, resulting in a 33-23 shots-on-goal advantage. “We wanted to get to a quick start. We didn’t want them getting momentum,” Cacchioli said. “We knew we were the better team and we wanted to take it to them.” At the end of the first period, the Knights were in a tough position, but Cacchioli’s aggressive shot selection paid off. Tied at 1-1, the Knights Vincent Cennamo was sent to the penalty box and Iona Prep (CHSHL 1-10-1) was on a 5-on-4 power play. Despite the disadvantage, Cacchioli was able to Holy Cross forward Steven Cacchioli’s aggressive shot selection proved to be the difference against Iona Prep. steal the puck, stick handle through defenders and net a goal with 59 seconds remaining in the first period, giving the Knights a 2-1 lead. “He (Cacchioli) played fantastic today,” coach Kevin Leonard said. “He played really well and took some good shots.” The Knights stayed aggressive and with just 18 seconds THE COURIER/Photo by Liam La Guerre into the second period, forward Joe DeMarco scored a goal, expanding the lead to 3-1. “We wanted to dictate the pace, we did a good job ending the period and starting off strong,” Cacchioli said. The Knights controlled the puck through the rest of the game and didn’t allow Iona to score again. JUDGES DOMINATE ON THE COURT BY MAGIE HAYES mhayes@queenscourier.com The Benjamin N. Cardozo Judges, the top team in the borough (PSAL 10-0), were reminded to “play Cardozo basketball” before trouncing the Martin Van Buren VeeBees (PSAL 4-7) and keeping their undefeated record. Both teams were without their starting point guards, Van Buren’s Darron Williams and Cardozo’s Rashond Salnave, for the game on Tuesday, January 14, but play stayed strong on both ends of the court. “Other players had to step up,” said Van Buren head coach Everton Edwards. “We do what we do. Basketball games are won in between the lines. You have to go out and believe you can win.” Although the VeeBees played like they believed they could win, Cardozo set the stage with a successful layup, just 10 seconds into the game. Both teams were slow on shots throughout the first quarter, but remained physical on play. Judges forward Armando Dunn and power forward Carl Edoua Balthazar continued to snatch the ball right from the VeeBees’ hands, whenever they had the opportunity. With three minutes left, VeeBees guard Vladimir Midy faked right, sunk a jump shot and got the foul, for a fourpoint play. Forward Kristian Mondesir, from Cardozo, rebounded the ball and responded with a three-point shot, ending the quarter at 12-6 Cardozo. The second quarter opened with four successful quick shots, back-toback from both teams. Dunn blocked a VeeBees’ shot attempt and Judges’ guard Marzuq Jimoh grabbed the ball and ran with it, scoring on the other end of the court. “If you need 30 seconds, tell me,” Ron Naclerio, Cardozo head coach, yelled to the out-of-breath Jimoh after he made his shot. Van Buren started making long passes around the perimeter, sending Cardozo players chasing after the ball. In the final minutes of the half, the VeeBees outscored the Judges 6-2. After halftime, the Judges slumped back onto the court, looking defeated. Naclerio shouted: “Play Cardozo basketball!” before his team started play. Center Francisco Williams acknowledged his coach, took the ball and easily sunk a layup to start off the half, bringing the score to 24-17 Cardozo, and the team was suddenly revived. Van Buren missed the following shot and the rebound was snagged by point guard Elijah McNeely, who dribbled down the court and sent a sharp pass to Williams in the paint. The VeeBees continued to play hard, but fell short in executing their shots. With 49 seconds left in the game, Edwards used a full time-out, despite a 17-point deficit. After Cardozo got their energy back, they were able to win 53-35, but not without scaring the crowd just a little. “That was a good game, it made us sweat,” said a group of Cardozo parents. THE COURIER/Photo by Maggie Hayes The Benjamin N. Cardozo Judges basketball team kept its undefeated record and remains the top team in Queens.
QC01162014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above