By Simon Chen
Competition on the PSAL hardwood was abruptly interrupted as public schools throughout the city had the week off due to Regents examinations. But action immediately returned this past Monday, January 28, with a small slate of games. The FDR Cougars (11-4) were able to pull to within a half game of HS of Telecommunications (11-3) as they topped Madison, 91-77. It appears that the race for the Brooklyn “A” Division title will come right down to the wire as FDR has three games remaining while Telecommunications still has four aside. While FDR is the closest contender behind the Yellow Jackets for the title, Tilden (10-5) and Sheepshead Bay (10-5) are not too far behind as they’re both 1.5 games out with three remaining. Since there are four teams still in contention for the title, it seems to be an extremely exciting finish as they battle it out for the crown. Being in the midst of their biggest funk of the season, the New Utrecht Utes have lost seven consecutive contests as of press time Tuesday, a loosing streak that dates back to December 17, and they would loose their eighth straight, falling 89-49 to Sheepshead Bay on January 28. The Sharks had a spectacular performance from their “go-to” guy Nelson Bishop. The senior drove to the basket for a team-high 25 points while adding another team-high 19 rebounds and a lone assist. The other “go-to” guy Peter Adegboye added 16 points, seven rebounds, and a team-high 11 assists. As for New Utrecht, the Utes were led by David Lopez. The versatile player swished-in a team-high 15 points, pulled down nine rebounds and dished out two assists. While guard Dante Etienne chipped-in with a quality performance by adding 12 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. For Sheepshead Bay, the Sharks are going to the playoffs for the fourth consecutive time in four seasons, as their record improves to 10-5, 1.5 games behind division-leader Telecommunications (11-3). With three games remaining, the Sharks still has a shot at the division but they would have to bite past FDR (11-4) and Tilden (10-5). Madison’s guard Michael Trowers drove to the hoop for a team-, career-, and game-high 41 points, but it still wasn’t enough for Madison as they fall 91-77 at the hands of FDR. Trowers concluded his afternoon by chipping-in six assists. The senior was only one of two Knights to hit double digits as PF Kairo Noel was the next leading scorer with 10. As for FDR, they come off a week where they dropped two straight to Telecommunications and Tilden, the Cougars got back on the track with guard Jeffery Barrett swishing in 33 points while adding two rebounds and 12 assists. With other great outputs for the Cougars were Jonathan Leduc (21 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists) and Josimel Gondola (19 points and 17 rebounds). The win improves the Cougars to 11-4, a half game behind division-leader Telecommunications (11-3), while Madison falls to 8-7. The playoff picture for the Knights looks rather bright as they win need to be victorious in only one more game to be in the playoffs. Despite trailing 19-15 at the end of the first quarter, the Hornets were able to muster out 51 combined points in the next three quarters of play to out duel Lafayette, 66-47. Leading the sting for Midwood was forward Sean McPherson, who exploded to the hoop for a team-high 16 points while snagging a team-high 22 rebounds. While his front court teammate, forward Maksim Shmargun added 10 points and eight rebounds. The win for the Hornets (7-8) snaps a huge late season three game winning streak, in which their playoff aspirations had almost disappeared. But three games still remain as Midwood needs to win just two of their next three remaining contests to qualify for the post season. As for Lafayette, the loss for the Patriots is their eight straight while their record falters to 2-13.
