By The TimesLedger
First Team
Teresa Rozza Jr. Guard Francis Lewis
Rozza’s season started with a knee injury and ended with a bad ankle injury that forced her to miss the city semifinals and the championship game against Bergtraum. The 5-foot-7 point guard, who is a brilliant passer, especially in transition, averaged 12.8 points and a team-high 4.8 assists per game for the Patriots.
Erica Smith Sr. Guard Jamaica
It was no coincidence that the three worst losses Jamaica suffered this year were without Smith. Though only 5-foot-7, Smith grabbed 15 rebounds per game on sheer determination. According to head coach Steve Heiss, she “is the best rebounder in Queens She has a tremendous amount of heart and hustle.” She also scored 24 points per game.
Jennifer Barenboim Sr. Fwd. Cleveland
After playing in the shadows of Queens College standouts Theresa and Erin Dollard, Barenboim capped a very successful career at Grover Cleveland, topping the 1,000-point plateau early in the season. The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 14.8 points per game and 20.3 points per game in the playoffs where the Indians fell to Wingate, 59-56 in the second round.
Jasmin Lawrence Jr. Fwd. Francis Lewis
Without Rozza, who was on the bench injured, Lawrence played her best games in Lewis’ 46-40 win over Manhattan Center in the semifinals and the Patriots’ 63-44 loss to Bergtraum in the finals. The 5-foot-7 junior forward averaged 12.1 points, a team-high 3.4 steals and two assists per game.
Christina Jones So. Guard Cardozo
Though just a sophomore, Jones ran the Cardozo offense with the poise of a veteran. The 5-foot-5 point guard averaged 12.8 points and 4.5 assists per game but picked up her game in the postseason, averaging 15.3 points, five rebounds and four assists per game for the Judges, who fell to Manhattan Center in the second round.
Second Team
Francesca Romano Sr. Guard John Adams
Romano made the most of her lone season of PSAL basketball, leading PSAL B runner-up Adams with 16 points, 5.9 rebounds and five assists per game. When on top of her game, the 5-foot-6 transfer from St. Francis Prep, could shoot with anyone in the city as she proved by scoring 22 points in Adams’ 42-28 quarterfinal victory over Art and Design.
Shanay Freeman So. Fwd. T. Harris
Similar to Lawrence from Lewis, the 5-foot-8 small forward can do it all, as she proved this year by averaging 15.7 points per game. Freeman can shoot from outside, can drive to the basket and can rebound with the best of them. Freeman, who had 27 points in the Hawks’ 67-44 win over Tottenville, should be one of the borough's best players next year.
Nashaun Burrell So. Fwd John Bowne
John Bowne finished just behind Grover Cleveland in Queens II-B with a 10-2 mark and Burrell was a big part of the Wildcats success this season. The 5-foot-6 sophomore forward averaged 15.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and two assists per game and was 83.8 percent from the free throw line.
Alaina Davis So. Fwd. Francis Lewis
Davis showed signs of how dominant she could be in Lewis’ 48-34 win over Jamaica in the borough semifinals when the 5-foot-10 sophomore scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Davis, who head coach Mike Eisenberg said, “is a strong, athletic kid who needs to be realize how good she can be,” averaged six points and six rebounds per game.
Britni Bolden So. Fwd. Cardozo
The 5-foot-7 forward, who averaged 10.8 points and six rebounds, was also part of a great sophomore class at Cardozo. Not the strongest player in the borough, Bolden managed to rebound by boxing out down low. She averaged 11 points and 13 boards in the playoffs.
Honorable Mention
Shannon Gonzalez Sr. Guard Cleveland
Alanna Adams Jr. Fwd. Francis Lewis
Samantha Glover Sr. Fwd. August Martin
Monique Jenkins Jr. Guard August Martin
Michelle Wallace Sr. Fwf. RFK
