’DOZO DOES IT!
Judges beat Christ the King, win another SNY Invitational
THERE IS still a lot of basketball to be played this season, but at this point it looks like Cardozo might be the best team in the city.
At least that’s how it appeared this weekend, as the Judges won the SNY Invitational tournament by beating perennial city power Christ the King in the title game on Saturday, 66-63. It is Cardozo’s second straight SNY title.
The Judges were led by Invitational MVP Aaron Walker, who had 20 points to go along with eight rebounds and hit two clutch free throws to seal the victory for Cardozo. Walker was not alone as fellow guard Tareq Coburn had 21 points, including the team’s first 8 points to start the third quarter.
“There is a goal we want,” said Judges head coach Ron Naclerio. “We have shot in achieving it. If all three of guys (Rayshond Salnave, Walker, Corburn) all step we have a great shot of winning.”
With the Judges up 62-60 and under a minute to go in the game, Salnave missed two straight free throws, giving the ball to the Royals and their star player Jose Alvarado, who had 22 points, eight rebounds and five assist. He also had a chance to tie the game or give the Royals their first lead.
But after a miss, the ball was tipped to center court, where both Alvarado and Walker had a shot at it. Walker got to the ball first and eventually slammed it home to give his team a 64-60 lead.
On the ensuing Royals possession, Alvarado was fouled and hit his two free throws to make it a two point game. Then the Royals fouled Salnave, who missed both free throws again. Then Royals forward Tyrone Cohen, who finished with 13 points, was fouled with 10 seconds left and split the free throws.
The Royals then fouled Walker with two seconds left and he sank both of his foul shots.
“I knew he was going to make those free throws,” Coburn said.
The Judges shot 10-for-24 from the foul line and also got out-rebounded 39-26.
“I am not worried about our free throw shooting,” Naclerio said. “We shoot 72 percent as a team, but my main concern is the rebounding. We can’t keep on losing in that category.”
The Judges beat Christ the King on a buzzer-beater last week. Now that they’ve established that can beat the beat the CHSAA has to offer, twice, they are focusing on their next big task: Winning the PSAL championshiphe Judges are looking forward to playing for a PSAL city title.
“Games like this prepare us for that,” said Salnave. “We know how to handle adversity and we proved it today.”