Brooklyn continued its tradition of being the city’s best basketball borough — starting with Abraham Lincoln winning its first city title since 2009 by beating borough rival Thomas Jefferson. Bishop Loughlin remained an elite program by reaching the Catholic Intersectional title game for the first time since 2010. Nazareth made history by becoming the first Catholic team to win a Class A title a year after winning the B division. Here are the players responsible and chosen as Brooklyn’s best:
All-Brooklyn Player of the Year: Isaiah Whitehead, Abraham Lincoln
Whitehead is one of the most respected scorers in the city, dropping 21.13 points per game during the regular season. In the playoff he adjusted to constant double teams and became more of a passer, rebounder and defender to average a double double. His teammates flourished around him and Lincoln won its first city title since 2009.
All-Brooklyn Coach of the Year: Todd Jamison, Nazareth
The long-time coach and his team made history this season. The Kingsmen moved up a division and won the Catholic Class A title a year after wining the Class B title. It’s something no program has ever done. Jamison’s steady hand, excellent preparation and demanding nature brought out the best in his team.
All-Brooklyn First Team:
G Khadeen Carrington, Bishop Loughlin
The highly recruited junior wing averaged 24.7 points per game this year and reached the 1,000-point mark for his career. Carrington can dominate a game by attacking the paint. He scored 24 points in Loughlin’s city title game loss to Christ the King.
F Elijah Davis, Abraham Lincoln
The St. Patrick, N.J., transfer made himself at home at Lincoln. The bruising senior forward was a matchup nightmare because of his strength inside and ability to hit the jumper. He had 20 points and eight rebounds in a city semifinal win over Wings.
F Jermoine Faison, Thomas Jefferson
The senior forward averaged a double double in league play with 15 points and 14 rebounds per contest to help Jefferson emerge as the league’s second best team. Faison turned in a 14-point and 17-rebound performance in the borough semifinals.
F Shemiek Sheppard, South Shore
South Shore wasn’t the same team when the Towsend-bound Sheppard missed time late with an ankle injury. He was the Vikings’ leading scorer at 13 points per contest to go along with 8.9 rebounds that provided a needed inside presence.
G Mike Williams, Bishop Loughlin
The underrated junior put all of his skills on display this season. Williams is a deadeye shooter averaging 19.8 points per contest, but it was his intensity on defense that made him special. Williams never took a possession off on both ends of the floor.
All-Brooklyn Second Team:
G George Lambert, Xaverian
The senior guard provided much needed leadership for a young Xaverian team. Lambert averaged 13.1 points per contest and formed a formidable veteran backcourt with Lamel Faison.
G Jaquan Lynch, Jefferson
The Florida International-bound guard was an explosive scorer, including 20 points in a semifinal win over Curtis. Lynch’s on-court energy was contagious and his commitment to defense made him a complete player.
F Desi Rodriguez, Abraham Lincoln
The athletic junior forward averaged a double double in the playoffs and was the x-factor for the Railsplitters. Rodriguez scored 17 points and grabbed 17 rebounds to earn most valuable player honors in the city title game.
G Terrence Samuel, South Shore
The UConn-bound point guard was one of the city’s best distributors. Samuel’s first instinct is to make others better and win, not fill up a stat sheet. He got the Vikings back to the city quarterfinals.
G Samson Usilo, Nazareth
Usilo’s sheer athleticism makes him a must-watch player, but it’s his skill that had Nazareth celebrating a Catholic Class A city and state title. The junior wing scored 14 points, including a huge runner in the Kingsmen’s city title game win.
All-Brooklyn Honorable Mention:
G Matthew Banton, Transit Tech
F Josh Blagrave, Bishop Ford
G Lamel Faison, Xaverian
F Charlie Marquardt, Poly Prep
G Fabian McDonald, Transit Tech
G Trevonn Morton, Abraham Lincoln
G Wesley Myers, Boys & Girls
G Jordan Nanton, Bishop Loughlin
G Doudmy Saint Hilaire, South Shore
G Darren Thomas, Bedford Academy
Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.
