NYC CITY CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW! WHO YALL GOT???
Winner take ALL
This is it! All roads will lead to Brooklyn as the Cardozo Judges and the South Shore Vikings will lock horns and determine who is the best team in the city. The two squads have taken quite contrasting roads to get to the chip, and we'll be looking at several matchups throughout.
The Cardozo Judges will return to the Barclays for the third time in the past five years. This time around, the Judges faced constant doubt, as detractors named their strength of schedule as a reason to question their legitimacy. Dozo responded with a near perfect season, with their only loss being to Jefferson, which they avenged in the semifinals. Similar to their 2014 run, The Judges have had to go through Brooklyn thus far. The last time the game was featured in the Barclays, Dozo won it all. We're sure Coach Naclerio would like to see similar results this time around.
Standing in their way is the finely tuned machine that is the South Shore Vikings. South Shore looked great to start the season but had a few hiccups in the tough Brooklyn AA. After being humiliated by Long Island Lutheran though, The Vikings righted the ship and have had the look of a powerhouse team. They've since obliterated every opponent in their path on the way to the chip, and have their sights set on raising the trophy in their home borough.
Lets take a look at some of the matchups
Guards
Kareem May holds down the PG spot for the Vikings, and the Sophomore floor general plays with a poise that is beyond his years. In the Vikings recent streak of blowout victories, he's been unselfish and made few mistakes. Their two wings Kadary Richmond and Femi Odukale however, are what makes them GO. Richmond is extremely lanky and athetic, and is always a threat to slash and finish in the paint. Odukale is explosive in transition and a streaky shooter who can score in bunches.
For Dozo, Marcus Hammond runs the team from one spot. He is a definite scoring threat from three, and his range extends well beyond the high school line. He can also hit the mid range and finish in the paint with a nice floater. Jaylen Davis is another nice scoring option for them. The smooth Junior has a finesse game, and he's found his rhythm down the stretch of the playoffs. Their heart and soul though, is Dae Dae Utley. Everything the team needs, the senior provides. Watch out for him in transition attacking the gaps.
Bigs
The Vikings are a balanced team with two solid bigs to anchor out their starting line up. Isaiah Richards is a wiry strong center who runs the floor like a deer and attempts to dunk everything around the rim. They also have a man child in Sekou Sylla, who is always attacking and rebounding around the rim for the Vikings. Dozo may have the most athletic player on the floor period in Collins Oneiyke though. Collins is a terrific help side defender who loves to send shots to the stands. He also finishes strong with two hands around the rim and often, well above the rim.
Who do you believe will win the City Championship?