Kennedy’s O’Neil Glenn is The Post’s All-Bronx girls basketball Coach of the Year. (Damion Reid)
The story of Bronx girls basketball was John F. Kennedy’s unlikely ride to the PSAL Class A city championship game. The Knights were counted out early in the season, but somehow turned things around late using coach O’Neil Glenn’s defensive principles to surprise the city.
Over in the CHSAA, Cardinal Spellman won Bronx/Westchester and finished second behind Moore Catholic in the Archdiocesan ‘A’ playoffs. The Pilots advanced to the CHSAA Class A state quarterfinals.
All-Bronx girls basketball Player of the Year:
Troi Melton, Cardinal Spellman
Troi Melton’s game grows more complete with each passing day.
The Cardinal Spellman is a tireless worker – in and out of season – and that was something that showed throughout the year. Melton improved her play on the perimeter tremendously. Her jumper became feathery and consistent and she began taking defenders off the dribble more and attacking in transition.
“Her confidence playing the three spot got a little higher and she has more confidence in her guard skills,” Spellman coach Jane Morris said.
Melton, who scored her 1,000th point this season, was the 21-6 Pilots’ most consistent scorer and a presence on the boards and the defensive end. She led Spellman to a CHSAA Bronx/Westchester title and to the Archdiocesan ‘A’ finals. Melton had 19 points in an Archdiocesan semifinal win over Notre Dame Academy.
“We’re going to be working hard this summer,” Melton said “We’ll get better.”
It is that kind of leadership, along with her skill that made her invaluable this season.
“Everyone loves Troi,” senior Julia Blasl said. “She just adds such character to this team.”
All-Bronx girls basketball Coach of the Year: O’Neil Glenn, John F. Kennedy
Glenn has taken a team to the PSAL city championship game at Madison Square Garden before. Three years ago, he had one of the top teams on the East Coast, rife with Division I players, that made an appearance at MSG.
But this year’s group was very different. Glenn played five sophomores and might not have had a single Division I player on his roster, but did perhaps put forth his best coaching job yet. With an emphasis on defense and toughness – he is, after all, a former NFL player for the New England Patriots – Glenn took the Knights from early-season mediocrity to being one of the city’s best teams. In the end, they another berth in the title game.
“Thinking about Glenn, all that yelling and screaming, but what he says works … he’s a genius,” junior guard Shaquaya Daniels said. “If you think about what he says and do it, it works.”
All-Bronx first team
G Jazzarae Campbell, John F. Kennedy
Early in the season, coach O’Neil Glenn was looking for leadership and the senior answered the bell. Kennedy’s run to the PSAL city title game was marked by her fearless drives to the basket.
G Sade Jackson, Aquinas
The phrase “coach on the court” epitomizes Jackson. She could have tried to score 20 points per game, but instead worked to improve her teammates. She is a Division I talent who is as good a passer as she is a scorer.
G Jacqueline Schoninger, Fieldston
If there was a junk defense invented, Schoninger, who had a 49-point game this year, saw it. The Brown-bound guard is a superb shooter and passer who helped keep a young Eagles team at the top of the Ivy League.
G Tia Scott, Cardinal Spellman
Scott rebounded from Achilles tendonitis last season to become one of the city’s rising juniors. The pass-first and penetrating point guard raised the level of play of her teammates and can score in bunches.
G Latasia Ward, Wings Academy
Wings advanced to its first PSAL Class A title game and Ward, a senior, was the biggest reason why. She could have scored much more than she did this year, but sacrificed for the greater good.
All-Bronx second team
G Deaisia Acklin, John F. Kennedy
The sophomore saved one of her best performances for last. In Kennedy’s PSAL city title game loss to Murry Bergtraum, Acklin had 10 points and seven rebounds – a good sign for the future.
F Amber Griffin, Cardinal Spellman
The super athletic forward can block shots, rebound with much bigger players and is a matchup problem on the perimeter. The junior’s stock can only go up from here for the Bronx/Westchester champ.
G Aquillin Hayes, Wings Academy
Hayes played out of position at point guard, but did a fine job distributing and scoring for a team that went to the PSAL Class A final. The junior is as athletic as they come.
F Leshauna Phinazee, John F. Kennedy
Phinazee was the embodiment of Kennedy’s philosophy. She played great defense and rebounded well, but didn’t need to score to be effective. The sophomore was the glue for the PSAL ‘AA’ finalist.
F Sara Smith, DeWitt Clinton
Though she flew under the radar on a bad team, Smith was a dominant force inside – especially on the boards. The 5-foot-11 senior earned a scholarship to Division II Southern Connecticut State.
All-Bronx third team
F Chelsea Baez, Riverdale
The junior forward is one of the best players in the city who flies under the radar. She can handle the ball, score inside and out and is super athletic. Even so, she often sacrificed her points to help improve her teammates.
F Chelsea Custodio, John F. Kennedy
On a team known for its rugged defense, Custodio might have been Kennedy’s best scorer. The athletic 5-foot-9 forward was lethal from the top of the key and one of coach O’Neil Glenn’s top options on offense.
G Maddy Gordon, Horace Mann
The sophomore thrived in a leadership and starring role when senior guard McKenzie Foster tore her ACL midway through the season. Gordon’s ability to get the basket and hit the midrange jumper made her capable of long scoring runs.
F Taylor Murtaugh, Bronx Science
She didn’t have as much help as she did last year, but Murtaugh basically willed Science to the PSAL Class A quarterfinals. She averaged 20 points per game in the playoffs and dropped 22 on eventual champion Medgar Evers in the quarters.
F Asia Wheeler, Columbus
The 5-foot-10 post could range outside and knock down jumpers, creating plenty of mismatches for the opposition. Wheeler upped her averages to 17.7 points and 17 rebounds per game in the postseason.
Honorable mention
G Shaquaya Daniels, John F. Kennedy
F Rykema Stone, Wings Academy
F Kalijah Terilli, Fieldston
F Nijah Townsend, Truman
G Unique Williams, Truman