Zach Braziller

Zach Braziller

Braziller's thoughts and observations on the Monroe and GW tournaments

April 15, 2012 , ι By ZACH BRAZILLER

There are a handful of events I look forward to each season. The first football weekend of the year. The PSAL Class A soccer finals. The basketball quarterfinals. I’ll put the Monroe Tournament up there with all of them.
	 
Mike Turo, Monroe’s legendary coach and the showcase's organizer, does a phenomenal job. The PSAL and CHSAA can’t get together for an end-of-year championship game, but Turo can get title contenders Iona Prep and Xaverian in his tournament. Maybe the powers-that-be at the NYC Mayor's Cup should ask for his help.
	 
Turo receives plenty of credit for all the wins he has under his belt at Monroe, but not enough for the job he does with this tournament on his week off as a teacher at the Bronx school.
	 
He rises early, sometimes before the sun comes up, and returns to his Long Island home very late to produce an event unlike any other in New York City.
	 
This was arguably his best yet, with the two Catholic powers and PSAL dynamos Grand Street Campus, the back-to-back champion, Tottenville, Monroe, William Bryant and Lehman. The games were close, featuring large crowds, plenty of Division I recruits and tons of media, and may feature the eventual PSAL and CHSAA city champions.
	 
Baseball can be tough to get into after the long basketball season. The weather is cold and the crowds are light. The Monroe Tournament makes it a lot easier.
	 
While I was kept extremely busy and produced plenty of content, there was a lot I couldn’t get to. Below are some of my thoughts on the memorable week:
	 
-- I was admittedly concerned about Grand Street Campus after its loss in pool play to Xaverian. The Wolves, loaded with talent but still looking for playoff success, had already dropped a surprising league contest to Midwood. Yet in as many days, the Brooklyn powerhouse topped tournament host Monroe, nemesis Tottenville and then defending CHSAA champion Xaverian.
	 
While starting pitchers Willy Santana, Gerry Gonzalez and Alex Cuas each performed well, I was most impressed by Grand Street’s deep and potent lineup. Second baseman Elijah Rodriguez has emerged as a key cog out of the second spot, sandwiched by speedy leadoff man Basael (Ralphy) McDonald and Maryland-bound shortstop Jose Cuas. Gonzalez would hit in the middle of most team’s orders; he’s seventh for Grand Street.
	 
Thanks to the development of Jose Cuas, McDonald and Rodriguez, the addition of catcher Kevin Martir – he’s a better pure hitter at this point now than Williams Jerez was last year – I’ll take this group over last year’s edition. That’s not to say the Wolves will be celebrating a city title in June – or even should be – but they are right there as a favorite with the other powers.
	 
-- Speaking of PSAL contenders, I got to see all of them this week, and there are four teams that can win a city title: Grand Street, Tottenville, Cardozo and George Washington. There are others that can make a deep run, such as Telecommunications and Madison in Brooklyn, Monroe and Lehman in The Bronx, and Bryant in Queens, but I can’t see anyone other than the big four winning it all. They are clearly the most talented teams and have the most high-end pitching. That wins in the postseason.
	 
-- Nelson Rodriguez spent the offseason in the weight room and the track. It paid off. The George Washington catcher, the city's top pro prospect, looks like he could lead the city in sacks as an outside linebacker. He's slimmed down and added muscle to his 6-foot-3 frame. A physical speciman, he shined in the George Washington Tournament as the batting champion, going 11-for-17 with nine RBIs, and also shutdown opposing running game's with his cannon of a right arm.
	 
-- I got to see Cardozo twice this week against George Washington in the Trojans’ tournament, and I left impressed by newcomer Connor Doyle on both occasions. The junior Townsend Harris transfer can bring it on the mound – he hit 88 on a radar gun – and he can turn around a good fastball also.
	 
-- This is the best Cardozo team I’ve seen since I started covering New York City high school baseball in 2004 – Doyle and Adrian Castano are a solid 1-2 punch atop the rotation and bats like Nicanor Luna, Diego Gonzalez, Nelson Santiago and Chris Campbell are legit bats – and it’s not even close. Glad I picked them in the preseason predictions as they have a real shot to make me look smart.
	 
-- Cardozo and Bryant are the PSAL favorites to go the furthest from Queens and win their respective division titles, but John Adams is right there with them. The Spartans nearly reached the Monroe final, falling to Xaverian 5-4 when outfielder Louis DeAngelis robbed Adams’ Carlos Salazar of an extra-base hit with the bases loaded in the seventh. Adams then nearly knocked off Tottenville, falling 5-3 in the third-place game. Pitching wins in late May and coach Glenn Beyer’s team has two big arms in senior Braylin Nunez and sophomore Anderson DeLeon.
	 
-- I’m not criticizing Xaverian’s coaching staff, but I don’t know how Gabe Hernandez bats ninth. Maybe he has struggled in league contests, but the senior shortstop hit rockets in the games I saw. He blasted a two-run home run to dead center field in Friday’s 13-6 loss to Grand Street and has a knack for squaring up balls. The Boston College-bound standout already had the glove and physical tools to excel on the next level; if his bat can follow, he will shine.
	 
-- Shortstop is suddenly a stocked position in New York City. From Jose Cuas of Grand Street to Hernandez, All Hallows’ Tulane-bound standout Stephen Alemais, George Washington’s Randy Rodriguez and Monroe’s Luis Santini, our All-City team is gonna be loaded at the position. Rodriguez is as good as any of them. He put on a show in the GW Tournament, earning MVP honors. He flashed an incredible glove, has speed to burn and surprising pop – he took Doyle yard in fact.
	 
zbraziller@nypost.com

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Loaded Monroe Tournament field set

April 04, 2012 , ι By ZACH BRAZILLER

The 43rd annual Monroe Tournament is shaping up to be the best yet in the annual showcase. PSAL powers Monroe, last year’s tournament champion Grand Street Campus, PSAL runner-up Tottenville and... Read on

The 43rd annual Monroe Tournament is shaping up to be the best yet in the annual showcase.
	 
PSAL powers Monroe, last year’s tournament champion Grand Street Campus, PSAL runner-up Tottenville and Queens dynamo William Bryant will compete, along with CHSAA favorite Iona Prep and defending city champion Xaverian. There will be five pools with each team playing four games. The top two teams advance. Pool play is scheduled for Saturday and Monday with the single elimination tournament following Tuesday, Wednesday and the champonship and third-place games Thursday at Monroe.
	 
"It's the best field we've ever had," Monroe coach Mike Turo said.
	 
The breakdown is as follows:
	 
Pool A: Monroe, John Adams, Christ the King and Lab Museum
	 
Pool B: Lehman, Iona Prep, Mott Haven and Truman
	 
Pool C: Grand Street Campus, Xaverian, Long Island City and Curtis
	 
Pool D: DeWitt Clinton, Tottenville, Manhattan Center and Salesian
	 
Pool E: Bryant, Norman Thomas, Morris and Law, Government & Justice
	 
zbraziller@nypost.com

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LIVE BLOG: NYS Federation Class AA boys, girls finals

March 25, 2012 , ι By ZACH BRAZILLER

The long and winding road known as the high basketball season has finally reached its finish line. Two games remain before spring officially begins. But before we lock the gym doors and put the balls on the racks, there are two state New York State Federation Class AA championships to be decided.
	 
We’ll get a new champion on the girls side as Nazareth fell in the semifinals to Cicero-North Syracuse on Saturday. The Northstars and UConn-bound stud Breanna Stewart, the nation’s top player, are looking to become the first non-New York City team to win the girls title since Colonie in 2001. They will have to get past 14-time PSAL city champion Murry Bergtraum and UNC Charlotte-bound Shequana Harris at noon to do it.
	 
At 2 p.m. three-time PSAL city champion Boys & Girls and Mount Vernon will meet for the boys ‘AA’ crown in a rematch of last year’s semifinal matchup, won by Mount Vernon. The Kangaroos, however, were shorthanded in that contest and will be at full strength Sunday afternoon.
	 
Boys High, which knocked off CHSAA winner St. Raymond in the semifinals on Saturday, is looking for its first state crown while Mount Vernon is gunning for No. 5. If victorious, legendary coach Bob Cimmino would tie former Rice coach Maurice Hicks and Collegiate coach Ray Voelkel for the most Federation titles all time.
	 
If you’re unable to make it to the Times Union Center in Albany, we’ll have you covered. Beginning at 11:45 a.m. NYPost.com boys basketball beat writers Zach Braziller, Marc Raimondi and Joseph Staszewski will bring you all the action with our acclaimed interactive live blog. As always, questions, comments and critiques are welcome. To follow the blog, click below.
	 
SCHEDULE
	 
NYS Federation Class AA girls final
	 
12 p.m. – Murry Bergtraum Cicero-North Syracuse
	 
NYS Federation Class AA boys final 
	 
2 p.m. – Boys & Girls vs. Mount Vernon
	 
<iframe src="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=8cc54213d2/height=550/width=420" scrolling="no" height="550px" width="420px" frameBorder ="0" allowTransparency="true" ><a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=8cc54213d2" >NYS Federation Class AA finals</a></iframe>

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LIVE BLOG: NYS Federation boys basketball, Day 2

March 24, 2012 , ι By ZACH BRAZILLER

ALBANY – It’s title time. Friday was all about setting up the championship games in the Class A and B brackets in the New York State Federation boys basketball tournament. Saturday will decide... Read on

ALBANY – It’s title time.
	 
Friday was all about setting up the championship games in the Class A and B brackets in the New York State Federation boys basketball tournament. Saturday will decide champions as four-time winner Collegiate looks to make it five in a row against Bishop Ludden of Syracuse in Class B and Long Island Lutheran attempts to repeat in 'A' while Long Island rival Harborfields hopes to win its first Federation crown.
	 
Not to be forgotten, the big boys join the fray as well. PSAL champion Boys & Girls will meet CHSAA winner St. Raymond in the 'AA' semis with the survivor advances to Sunday’s final against Mount Vernon.
	 
If you can’t make the trek to the nation’s capitol, don’t worry. We’ll be with you every step of the way.
	 
Join NYPost.com boys basketball beat writer Zach Braziller and our entire staff starting Friday at 3:30 p.m. for complete coverage with our interactive live blog. As always, comments, questions and critiques are welcome. To follow the live blog, click below:
	 
SCHEDULE
	 
NYS Federation Class AA semifinals
	 
3:45 p.m. – Boys & Girls vs. St. Raymond
	 
NYS Federation Class B finals
	 
5:30 p.m. – Collegiate vs. Bishop Ludden
	 
NYS Federation Class A finals
	 
7:30 p.m. – Long Island Lutheran vs. Harborfields
	 
<iframe src="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=d477bbf93f/height=550/width=420" scrolling="no" height="550px" width="420px" frameBorder ="0" allowTransparency="true" ><a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=d477bbf93f" >NYS Federation tournament boys, Day 2</a></iframe>

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LIVE BLOG: NYS Federation tournament boys basketball, Day 1

March 22, 2012 , ι By ZACH BRAZILLER

The basketball season is a long and winding road, starting in mid-November and ending in late March. It’s an enjoyable marathon, full of unexpected moments and crowning achievements. We’ve finally reached the last turn, the final stretch.
	 
It’s the New York State Federation tournament where three boys basketball champions will be crowned this weekend in Albany at the Times Union Center. Our area is well represented, by Boys & Girls and St. Raymond in Class AA, Brooklyn Collegiate, Long Island Lutheran, Harborfields and Iona Prep in ‘A’ and Collegiate, Pathways and Nazareth in ‘B.’
	 
While the big boys don’t get going until Saturday, the ‘A’ and ‘B’ take center stage on Friday with their semifinals. If you can’t make the trek to the nation’s capitol, don’t worry. We’ll be with you every step of the way.
	 
Join NYPost.com boys basketball beat writer Zach Braziller and our entire staff starting Friday at 3 p.m. for complete coverage with our interactive live blog. As always, comments, questions and critiques are welcome. To follow the live blog, click below:
	 
SCHEDULE
	 
NYS Class B semifinals
	 
3:15 p.m. – Collegiate vs. Pathways
	 
5 p.m. – Nazareth vs. Bishop Ludden
	 
NYS Class A semifinals
	 
6:45 p.m. – Brooklyn Collegiate vs. Long Island Lutheran
	 
8:30 p.m. – Iona Prep vs. Harborfields
	 
<iframe src="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=6357f72efa/height=550/width=420" scrolling="no" height="550px" width="420px" frameBorder ="0" allowTransparency="true" ><a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=6357f72efa" >NYS Federation boys basketball tournament, Day 1</a></iframe>

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Braziller: Fludd cements legacy with gritty effort

March 18, 2012 , ι By ZACH BRAZILLER

Leroy (Truck) Fludd did the unthinkable three years ago. He left Coney Island, left the hoops hotbed nobody is supposed to leave. No, he wasn’t going to prep school as so many have, but leaving Grady after his freshman year when he was told the school was dropping the basketball program. He was going to Boys & Girls, Lincoln’s archrival, the school that was in the midst of a three decade-long title drought.
	 
It took a lot of courage, going from Coney Island to Bedford Stuyvesant. He’s taken a lot of heat for the decision, been called a traitor.
	 
Fludd doesn’t have to explain his decision anymore, hasn’t for a while. He’s won as a supporting player and as a centerpiece. Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden, he made it three titles in a row, scoring 17 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and playing phenomenal defense on Jefferson star Thaddeus Hall, holding him to 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting in the Kangaroos’ 71-67 win at Madison Square Garden.
	 
The two uncommitted standouts both guaranteed victory in Wednesday’s press conference. Fludd was the prophetic one, just as he was when he predicted victory over Lincoln in the semifinals.
	 
“I took it personal,” Fludd said. “He kept saying I couldn’t guard him.”
	 
Make no mistake. This wasn’t his best game statistically. He made only 6-of-23 shots, missing attempts he usually makes in his sleep. But it was a complete performance, the kind he has turned in night in and night out for Boys High, a big reason the Kangaroos are now three-time champions.
	 
“I can’t say enough about the PSAL Player of the Year,” Boys & Girls coach Ruth Lovelace said. “He’s every coach’s dream. … His game came full-circle. He’s an all-around player now.”
	 
Fludd is a difficult player to judge for the next level. He’s only 6-foot-4, he doesn’t really have a position, though his improved jump shot and handle makes him a viable small forward. I’m often asked my thoughts on him and I haven't really have an answer.
	 
Until now. He can play at the high-major level, be a mid-major star. Anyone who is able to reinvent himself like Fludd has will be successful on the next stage, anybody willing to make a move like he has, going from Coney Island to Bed Stuy, has the toughness to handle tough times.
	 
Instead of focusing on what he hasn’t done, we should talk about what he can do. He’s a leader, an animal inside, adept finisher above the rim and physical defender built like – what else? – a truck.
	 
After Hall went off for 65 points combined in the two previous meetings, Fludd had no hesitation upon guarding Hall again. He made a concerted effort to take away the shots Hall wanted and held the highly recruited southpaw to his lowest scoring output since the Brooklyn borough semifinals.
	 
Wherever he lands, will get a determined individual who can help their program. Now that’s a guarantee.
	 
I remember three years ago to the day, when Mike Taylor lifted Boys & Girls to its first title in 31 years. I wrote that night Taylor shot his way into the school’s fabric, as the player who got it over the hump. Fludd cemented his legacy on Saturday at the Garden, just differently.
	 
“He goes down as one of the greatest players ever,” Lovelace said.
	 
She didn’t say if she was talking in New York City or Boys & Girls. It didn’t matter. His performance spoke volumes.
	 
Many considered Boys & Girls a longshot to three-peat this year because it graduated four starters. I wasn’t sure it could happen. Little did yours truly, or many others out there, realize Fludd would reinvent himself, become a true wing who could also still excel inside. Boys High doesn’t get to this point if not for that dedication.
	 
He may not have been responsible for starting this run – he was a role player on the Taylor-led team – but he’s certainly responsible for continuing it, the one player to be on all three title teams. He was the glue to last year’s champion and The Guy on this one.
	 
Whatever happens from here on out, he’ll be remembered as the player who made the three-peat possible, carrying his team on his broad shoulders.
	 
zbraziller@nypost.com

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LIVE BLOG: PSAL Class AA boys basketball finals

March 15, 2012 , ι By ZACH BRAZILLER

History will be made at Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon one way or another. Either Boys & Girls will win its third PSAL Class AA boys city title for the first time in program history or... Read on

History will be made at Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon one way or another.
	 
Either Boys & Girls will win its third PSAL Class AA boys city title for the first time in program history or Thomas Jefferson will claim its first crown since 1954.
	 
There are many subplots to the highly anticipated showdown. The coaches, Jefferson’s Lawrence (Bud) Pollard and Boys High’s Ruth Lovelace, attended Boys & Girls at the same time and are good friends. Jefferson’s Thaddeus Hall and Boys’ Leroy (Truck) Fludd are also contenders for Player of the Year honors, winning at MSG will help either's cause.
	 
If you’re unable to make to the Garden on Saturday, don’t worry. NYPost.com PSAL boys basketball beat writer Zach Braziller will be on hand with our acclaimed and interactive live blog. He will bring you all the action beginning Saturday at 11:45 a.m. To follow the live blog, just click below:
	 
SCHEDULE
	 
12 p.m. – No. 1 Thomas Jefferson vs. No. 2 Boys & Girls
	 
<iframe src="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=78cf2507a1/height=550/width=420" scrolling="no" height="550px" width="420px" frameBorder ="0" allowTransparency="true" ><a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=78cf2507a1" >PSAL Class AA boys basketball finals</a></iframe>

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LIVE BLOG: PSAL Class AA boys basketball semifinals

March 10, 2012 , ι By ZACH BRAZILLER

From mid-November on, everyone thinks they’re going to Madison Square Garden. Only two do. Those two will be decided Saturday at St. John’s University’s Carnesecca Arena. It promises to be four hours of non-stop, edge-of-your-seat action.
	 
The opener pits archrivals Lincoln and Boys & Girls, who will be meeting for a fourth time. Boys High, the two-time defending city champion, won the last two matchups, but Lincoln will have sophomore Isaiah Whitehead back from an ankle injury and he’s rounding into form.
	 
In the nightcap, either Wings Academy or Thomas Jefferson will book its first trip to the Garden. Both teams have made a habit of getting to the final four, but haven’t been able to get over the hump. One will tomorrow.
	 
If you can’t make it to St. John’s, don’t worry. The Post’s PSAL boys basketball beat writer Zach Braziller will be on hand with real-time updates with our interactive live blog beginning at 5:15 p.m. As always, questions, comments and critiques are welcome.
	 
To follow all the action, click below:
	 
SCHEDULE
	 
5:30 p.m. – No. 2 Boys & Girls vs. No. 3 Lincoln
	 
7:15 p.m. – No. 1 Thomas Jefferson vs. No. 4 Wings Academy
	 
<iframe src="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=5170f7814b/height=550/width=420" scrolling="no" height="550px" width="420px" frameBorder ="0" allowTransparency="true" ><a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=5170f7814b" >PSAL Class AA boys basketball semifinals</a></iframe>

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LIVE BLOG: PSAL Class AA boys basketball quarterfinals

March 04, 2012 , ι By ZACH BRAZILLER

The stage is set. The top eight teams have survived one round of elimination. The best of Brooklyn AA – Lincoln, South Shore, Thomas Jefferson and Boys & Girls – Queens powerhouse Cardozo, Bronx... Read on

The stage is set.
	 
The top eight teams have survived one round of elimination. The best of Brooklyn AA – Lincoln, South Shore, Thomas Jefferson and Boys & Girls – Queens powerhouse Cardozo, Bronx dynamo Wings Academy, Manhattan challenger Wadleigh and Staten Island veteran Curtis will all be at St. John’s University’s Carnesecca Arena on Sunday.
	 
By Sunday night, four will remain. Will Brooklyn reign or can the other boroughs throw a monkey wrench into the seeding. We’ll find out soon enough in what should be a memorable day of basketball.
	 
If you can’t make it to Jamaica, Queens don’t worry. NYPost.com PSAL boys basketball beat writer Zach Braziller will be on hand with all the action beginning at 10:45 a.m. As always, comments, questions and critiques are welcome.
	 
SCHEDULE
	 
@ St. John’s University’s Carnsecca Arena
	 
11 a.m. – No. 3 Lincoln vs. No. 6 Curtis
	 
1 p.m. – No. 2 Boys & Girls vs. No. 7 South Shore
	 
3 p.m. – No. 4 Wings Academy vs. No. 5 Cardozo
	 
5 p.m. – No. 1 Thomas Jefferson vs. No. 8 Wadliegh
	 
<iframe src="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=d3a7b66052/height=550/width=420" scrolling="no" height="550px" width="420px" frameBorder ="0" allowTransparency="true" ><a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=d3a7b66052" >LIVE BLOG: PSAL Class AA boys basketball quarterfinals</a></iframe>

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Braziller's predictions for the PSAL Class AA boys hoops playoffs

February 28, 2012 , ι By ZACH BRAZILLER

I looked at our weekly schedule this morning and was stunned to see PSAL Class AA playoff games on the docket. I thought the season was over – that’s how long it’s been since the outbracket round was played.
	 
Are we sure the finals haven’t already happened? I was already mentally preparing for baseball season.
	 
If you recall at this time last year, I offered a mock predictions blog full of far-fetched upsets that drew the ire of virtually the entire city.
	 
Kids and coaches turned down interview requests. Security guards threatened to throw me out of schools. One official even gave me a technical. I loved it – the reaction made me realize the opportunity I missed.
	 
See, people were upset with the picks, but they wanted my real thoughts, at least that’s what I told myself. So, a year later and wiser, I’m back. This is how I envision the next few weeks going. No sarcasm, only a few jokes, my honest opinion. Feel free to attack me upon sight.
	 
The St. John’s eight
	 
My quarterfinals picks last year were terrible. I missed on three of eight. I’m going for eight of eight this year.
	 
There will be a distinct Brooklyn flavor in Jamaica, Queens as Brooklyn AA powers No. 1 Thomas Jefferson, No. 2 Boys & Girls, No. 3 Lincoln and No. 8 South Shore all make it, though it’s hardly easy.
	 
Jefferson, the unlikeliest No. 1 seed in recent PSAL history, struggle with Robeson in the second round, even fall behind by double figures. Coach Lawrence (Bud) Pollard, one of my favorites because of his off-the-wall tendencies, gets a technical foul for storming the court – it’s his thing – spurring the comeback. Boys & Girls and Lincoln cruise and South Shore handles No. 10 Kennedy by overwhelming the Knights on the glass. Wayne Martin and Shamiek Sheppard have about six dunks each as they spend more time above the rim than below it.
	 
In the biggest – and only – upset of the second round No. 20 Eagle stuns fourth-seeded Wings. The Eagles are not a 20 seed; they are not even an 11 seed. They are a top 10 team only so low because the PSAL made them forfeit 11 league wins for using an ineligible player. They are familiar with Wings and finally get them after two previous losses. Jalen Chapman shows why he is a Division I prospect by getting the better of Wings bigs Damien Davis and Steven Gomez and Najee Senior comes through with the clutch jumper as time expires.
	 
Wings didn't take kindly to me picking against them last year -- good thing we've got intrepid intern Mike Smollins there to cover them this time.
	 
Fifth-seeded Cardozo takes down 21st-seeded Martin Van Buren, which is a true 21 seed, sixth-seeded Curtis hammers No. 11 Campus Magnet and No. 8 Wadleigh nips No. 9 Bayside behind the play of 5-foot-6 senior Basil Harley, who continues to show why he is one of the best pound-for-pound players in the PSAL.
	 
St. John’s four 
	 
It’s three favorites – Jefferson, Boys & Girls and Lincoln – and a shocker as Eagle Academy takes down Cardozo. Afterward, the Eagles refuse to accept this as an upset, but I write it as one anyway.
	 
Jefferson reaches the semis with a typically ragged performance against Wadleigh, which is a poor man’s Jefferson – undisciplined, defense optional yet talented and great in the open court. Boys & Girls and South Shore have one of those classic Brooklyn AA slugfests – low-scoring, physical, contentious, edgy, the kind everyone loves. The Kangaroos find a way late, despite trailing with under a minute left, as Leroy (Truck) Fludd comes through when needed.
	 
Continuing to pick up steam, Lincoln pulls away from Curtis late, pounding the Warriors inside. The absence of junior Hassan Martin is felt throughout as Tafari Whittingham and Travis Charles can do whatever they please and Isaiah Whitehead caps this with a big dunk that shows his left ankle is fine.
	 
Garden party for Brooklyn 
	 
Jefferson reaches the Garden for the first time in … well, nobody is sure when. The Orange Wave overlook Eagle in the semifinals, but come alive when needed as Pollard draws another technical, which is the case the entire postseason. The team does a lap around St. John’s afterwards, so excited to be in the final, and later they all guarantee a championship as Pollard shakes his head at the bold proclamations. I get every Jefferson player/coach nickname -- all 15 of them -- into my game story that night.
	 
In the main event, Lincoln and Boys & Girls are locked in a classic. Neither team leads by more than five points at any time. Charles and Whittingham continue their playoff renaissance while Whitehead and Fludd guard one another virtually the entire way, which is worth the price of admission. I’m told by Twitter follower Dahoodrecruiter that Fludd is better than anyone playing college basketball right now. Late in the fourth quarter, with a berth at MSG at stake, Ethan Telfair makes the play of the day, picking Fludd’s pocket and setting up Whitehead for the go-ahead basket. The Kangaroos’ reign atop the city is over. Predictably, I write about Ethan following in Sebastian's footsteps.
	 
Headed back upstate
	 
Jefferson is the No. 1 seed, but Lincoln is everyone’s favorite. All the Orange Wave hear leading up to the showcown is the title is the Railsplitters’ to lose. I pick Lincoln. Everyone picks Lincoln. It fires Jefferson up. They come out breathing fire – or maybe that’s my breath for such an early game. Maybe both.
	 
Jefferson leads by 10 after one quarter, by 15 at halftime. Hall and Lynch can’t be stopped. The Orange Wave are getting out in transition, nullifying Lincoln’s size. Then, it all changes. Jefferson doesn’t know how to play with a lead – it only knows how to rally. It takes bad shots. It commits turnovers. Whitehead and Telfair begin the steady climb. Lincoln takes the lead, then is in complete command.
	 
The Railsplitters win it all. Pollard never gets a tech, never storms the court, never berates an official. That, he tells me after, is where it all went wrong.
	 
Lincoln coach Dwayne (Tiny) Morton, who I share an interesting respect-based (I think) relationship with, is happy yet sad as well. Pollard is a good friend of his. I picked Lincoln. He feels like he lost in a way.
	 
I'm ecstatic -- I finally got a prediction right.
	 
zbraziller@nypost.com

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ZACH BRAZILLER A co-founder of FiveBoroSports.com, Zach Braziller has covered high-school sports in New York City for six years, beginning with an internship at the New York Sun. A graduate of Drew University, he moved on to serve as the sports editor of the Queens Courier newspaper for five years and also worked for SNY.tv in that time, covering the area’s three local hockey clubs and the New York Giants. Braziller’s work has also appeared in The New York Times and the Houston Chronicle.

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