PSAL boys basketball beat writer Zach Braziller breaks down Wednesday’s Class B semifinals at Lehman College in The Bronx. For real time updates via Twitter, click here.
SCHEDULE
5 p.m. – No. 2 Pathways vs. No. 3 Eleanor Roosevelt
7 p.m. – No. 1 Frederick Douglass Academy III vs. No. 4 Medgar Evers
No. 2 Pathways Traiblazers
Record: 23-3
Head coach: Harold Peaks
Player to watch: Jordan Washington
No. 3 Eleanor Roosevelt Huskies
Head coach: Mark Strasser
Record: 19-1
Player to watch: Erando Halilaj
Outlook: The two teams met once before, back on Jan. 30, and Eleanor Roosevelt had no answer for Pathways power forward Jordan Washington, who went off for 35 points in a 67-55 victory. The 6-foot-8 sophomore has made a habit of such performances, averaging 22 points and 14 rebounds during the regular season, though the Trailblazers are far from a one-man team. Junior guard Anthony Jacobs and sophomore Jamel Holmes have been steady contributors.
“We have a nice unit of kids that like playing for each other,” Pathways coach Harold Peaks said. “It works out for us. What’s really been big is every day someone new steps up that’s unexpected.”
Roosevelt repeated as Manhattan B-1 champs this winter, led by the inspiring play of senior Erando Hallilaj. After a solid regular season, he has busted out even further this postseason, tallying 28 points and 15 rebounds per game. Junior Robert Borusciewicz is also a reliable scorer and defender for the Huskies.
No. 1 Frederick Douglass Academy III
Head coach: Jumel Carlos
Record: 26-1
Player to watch: Moussa Kone
No. 4 Medgar Evers Cougars
Head coach: Keisha Lewis
Record: 18-1
Player to watch: Devante Heath
Outlook: FDA III has been here before, each of the previous two seasons in fact, losing heartbreakers. Talent isn’t a question as the Lions feature two Division I commits, forward Moussa Kone (Hofstra) and Kevin Douglas (St. Francis College), plus junior point guard Jamelle Mingo. The Bronx power feels this is finally the year to get over the hump.
“We’re just looking to continue to be the better team each game, that’s our goal,” FDA III coach Jumel Carlos said. “If we can be the better team defensively, we think we’ll have a good chance of winning our games. We’re a more experienced, senior-driven team and we know what the problems were before and we feel we’re ready take the next step. This is their last chance.”
Medgar Evers, meanwhile, is in uncharted territory. It reached the second round last year, but wasn’t even in the playoffs the two previous seasons. The Cougars are led by senior wing Devante Heath, a double-double machine. They do rely on plenty of underclassmen, especially freshman Jessy Dwyey. Junior Olusegun Ajayi is pivotal in the paint.