Boro Bounce January 28, 2020

As we make our way through the last week of January, here's your weekly update on the high school hardwood action around the boroughs and beyond.

People remained in a collective state of disbelief digesting the tragic news that Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna had died in a helicopter accident on Sunday. The news was particularly devastating for the basketball community, especially after it was reported that Bryant and his daughter were on their way to a game she was scheduled to play in. The New York Times reported yesterday that two of Gianna's teammates, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, as well as Altobelli's parents (John and Keri) and Chester's mother (Sarah), were also victims in the accident. Christina Mauser, a basketball coach at the school Bryant's daughter attended, as well as Ara Zobayan, the helicopter pilot, were also among the victims.

Social media has been flooded with condolences and tributes. The response from around the boroughs is a testament to the impact that Bryant had and continues to have on fans, players and coaches around the region. A massive photo of Bryant was displayed outside of Penn Station, the Empire State Building shined in purple and gold on Monday night and a makeshift Kobe sign was placed in the Bryant Park subway station, all in tribute to the basketball icon.

John Bowne retired the number of Lenny Pierre (31) in a ceremony in Queens on Friday before the Wildcats' win over Springfield Gardens. Pierre was a member of John Bowne's team last season and tragically passed away at the age of 16 after collapsing during a team practice. 

Bowne is 12-1 in PSAL league play heading into a highly anticipated showdown with Queens AA rival Cardozo on Tuesday. The Judges are a perfect 21-0 after recording a league win over Construction and a non-league win over New Rochelle last week. Bowne can pull even with Cardozo atop the Queens AA standings with a road win, while Cardozo can clinch the regular season crown by holding serve on their home court.

Playing without point guard Majesty Johnson, Brooklyn Collegiate has now dropped five straight games but remains tied with South Shore at 9-2 atop the PSAL Brooklyn AA standings. The Lions and the Vikings will face each other in a pivotal matchup in Canarsie on Tuesday.

St. Raymond looked razor sharp in their 87-61 win over Bishop Loughlin on Friday night. Luis Kortright scored 22 points and Malachi Smith had 19 in the win.

The Ravens improved to 9-1 in the CHSAA New York Archdiocesan standings, a spot they now hold themselves after Xaverian knocked off Archbishop Stepinac 74-63 in Brooklyn on Sunday. Nick Folk scored a game-high 31 points for the Clippers, 19 coming in the first half, and Billy Reyes added 21 for Xaverian.  Folk (7) and Reyes (6) combined for 13 triples in the game.

Xaverian's defense held RJ Davis, who was named a McDonald's All American last Thursday, to just 13 points, three field goals and no 3-pointers. Davis scored 38 points and had 10 rebounds in Stepinac's 77-67 win over Cardinal Hayes on Friday night.

Xaverian is now 7-3 in league play, tops in the CHSAA Brooklyn-Queens Division, and 15-3 overall. Stepinac is now 8-2 and 11-6 overall, a full game behind St. Raymond in the CHSAA New York Archdiocesan standings. The Crusaders are 4-4 since national standout Adrian Griffin Jr became sidelined after sustaining an injury during Stepinac's win over Iona Prep on January 3rd. Griffin Jr was injured for much of the regular season last year, but he returned to the lineup for the playoffs and Stepinac advanced all the way to the City final before falling to Christ the King.

CTK won back-to-back league games for the first time this season, 58-56 over Archbishop Molloy on Friday night and 73-51 over Loughlin on Sunday. Ryan Myers eclipsed the 1,000 career point total in the win against Molloy and the Royals (3-5, 7-7), have suddenly won four straight. CTK will visit St. Francis Prep on Tuesday. The Terriers edged the Royals in their first meeting this season, a five overtime thriller in Middle Village in December.

Iona Prep dropped back-to-back league games last week, falling to Monsignor Scanlan 62-59 on Friday and Molloy 69-56 on Sunday. The Gaels were in the mix for the regular season CHSAA New York Archdiocesan title, but are now 6-4 and 9-8 after dropping four straight and five out of their last six.

St. Peter's knocked off Monsignor Farrell (14-3) for the second time this season, this one by the score of 59-51, with the Eagles accounting for two of Farrell's three losses on the season.

Van Arsdale has now won 10 of their last 11 games, the sole loss a one point setback to KIPP Prep at the Barclays Center on January 3rd. Jaheem Tyson leads the Cardinals, averaging 18.1 points and 13.7 rebounds per PSAL league contest. Van Arsdale will be tested on Wednesday, when they visit Benjamin Banneker.

Kiana Brereton of Summit Academy has surpassed the 1,000 career point mark. Brereton is averaging 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per PSAL league contest for the Lady Eagles.

Townsend Harris remains unbeaten in this last week of January, boasting an overall record of 18-0. The Hawks are led by Jahdon Jerome, who is averaging 21.8 points per league game.