Preston’s John Martin is The Post’s All-Bronx girls basketball Coach of the Year. (Courtesy of John Martin)
Some new teams made waves this year in The Bronx.
Truman reached the PSAL Class AA quarterfinals and won borough bragging over traditional power and fellow quarterfinalist John F. Kennedy with two victories over its rival.
Preston won its first-ever CHSAA Class B city championship after an undefeated Bronx/Westchester division title. Cardinal Spellman was its usual strong self, making noise in the CHSAA Archdiocese by knocking off favorite Moore in the regular season.
All-Bronx girls basketball Player of the Year: Krystal Pearson, Truman
Truman has become a name on the New York City team and Pearson has been the high-profile player to make it happen. The sweet-shooting 5-foot-10 wing signed a National Letter of Intent with Towson on Tuesday, cementing her status as one of the top players in the Big Apple.
This year, Pearson led Truman to its first-ever PSAL Class AA quarterfinals berth and for the first time it could lay claim to being the best public school team in The Bronx, downing rival John F. Kennedy twice.
“I love Krystal to death,” Mustangs coach John Burke said. “I’ve had her for four years and she actually was enrolled in Kennedy four years ago until her mother decided she wanted her to come here because it was closer. I’m very proud of her.”
All-Bronx girls basketball Coach of the Year: John Martin, Preston
It was an emotional season for the Panthers, playing for one of their own. They dedicated their season to Margaret Donnelly, a former Preston player and a school guidance counselor who died tragically in a car accident over Christmas break. Martin expertly managed the emotions all season and guided the Panthers to one of the finest seasons in program history.
The Bronx school won the CHSAA Bronx/Westchester title in undefeated fashion and its first-ever Catholic Class B city title, beating Brooklyn/Queens champion Fontbonne Hall. It did so with a core that Martin coached and developed since they were freshmen – even without star Megan Triano, who tore her ACL in late in the year. The incredible ride ended a win shy of a trip to the state Federation tournament.
FIRST TEAM
F Maria Backman, Cardinal Spellman
Backman burst onto the scene this season and was the perfect complement to Onia Webb. The long, athletic sophomore was a double-double machine and scored 18 points in a big win over rival Moore Catholic.
G Lynda Fields, Truman
Fields was the glue that held everything together, especially after sophomore Joella Gibson transferred in the middle of the season. The Blessed Sacrament transfer was steady, ran the offense well and became one of the PSAL’s top point guard for the Class AA quarterfinalist Mustangs.
G Joya McFarland, John F. Kennedy
There might not have been a better 3-point shooter in the PSAL over the last two years than McFarland, who led Kennedy to the Class AA quarterfinals. This season, she added more intense defense and point guard skills to her game and that will likely earn her a Division II scholarship.
F Leshauna Phinazee, John F. Kennedy
Anything coach O’Neil Glenn asked of her, Phinazee did without a question. One of the top students at her school, the 5-foot-8 forward was undersized, but relentless on defense and the boards – the embodiment of the physical play Glenn expects from his players at Kennedy.
F Onia Webb, Cardinal Spellman
The Northeastern-bound wing was the epitome of versatility. Webb, a threat to score inside and out, played through nagging injuries, but helped lead Spellman to one of its best seasons, including a trip to the CHSAA Archdiocesan final.
SECOND TEAM
G Deaisia Acklin, John F. Kennedy
Extremely athletic, Acklin was one of Kennedy’s linchpins en route to the PSAL Class AA quarterfinals. The versatile, 5-foot-8 guard developed her game this year and became a better overall shotmaker – she should find a solid Division II school somewhere.
F Nicole Awooner Renner, Cardinal Spellman
While Maria Backman and Onia Webb did much of the scoring, Awooner Renner was dominant on the glass. Her size and strength made her a tough matchup as she had 14 points in a win over St. John Villa.
G Madison Gordon, Horace Mann
As the senior went, so did the Lions. The four-year varsity player scored the 1,000th point of her career this season and led her team to a second place finish in the Ivy League. Gordon had a superb shooting stroke and was fearless around the basket.
G Larissa McPhee, Fieldston
The senior and four-year varsity player was the Eagles go-to girl as they surged down the stretch of the season. She scored 16 points, including the winning put back at the buzzer, in an upset of Poly Prep
F Tyler Moses, Wings Academy
The heart and soul of Wings, Moses wasn’t a top-notch scorer, but she did absolutely everything else to help her team reach the PSAL Class A semifinals. The Dennis Rodman of Bronx girls basketball, Moses was an exceptional rebounder and plus defender – both vital roles for the talented Wings.
THIRD TEAM
F Rachel Lander, Horace Mann
The junior forward came on late for the Lions, finding her confidence and aggressiveness. Lander dropped in a career-high 20 points against Trinity and 17 in a seasonending lass to Rye Country Day. It’s her team next year.
G Shaakira Harewood, Mott Haven
An electric presence for one of the most underrated teams in The Bronx, Harewood averaged 16 points and 5.6 rebounds per game helping to lead Mott Haven to the PSAL Class A second round.
G Victoria McCaffrey, Preston
McCaffrey’s role became more paramount when Megan Triano tore her ACL. She responded by scoring 14 points in the Archdiocesan ‘B’ final and 18 in the Panthers CHSAA city quarterfinal win over St. Edmund en route to Preston claiming its first ever crown.
F Daquana Smith, Truman
The sophomore is the star in waiting at Truman with Towson-bound Krystal Pearson graduating this year. The 5-foot-11 wing has all the tools – from the perimeter schools and shooting to finishing inside – to be coach John Burke’s third Division I player with the Mustangs.
G Joye Tirado, Cardinal Spellman
The junior point guard had her most steady campaign at the helm. She was superb at finishing in transition, was sure-handed with the ball and always got her talented teammates involved on a squad with plenty of depth to help the Pilots to one of their best seasons.
HONORABLE MENTION
G Jasmina Dzurlic, Preston
G Lisa Fields, Truman
F Amirah Greene, Wings Academy
G Aaliyah Mercer, Gompers
F Carolyn Susman, Fieldston
F Ogechukwu Uwanaka, Morrisania