BOYS

Wings 83

Kennedy 81

Rasheem Jenkins knows that Wings Academy isn’t exactly a household name among the elite teams in the PSAL.

But in only their second year in the league’s A division, the Wings have proven themselves, especially after last night’s 83-81 win over Kennedy in the Bronx Borough Championship game at Lehman College.

“Most people talk about Catholic teams like Rice,” said Rasheem Jenkins. “Or Lincoln in the PSAL when Sebastian Telfair was there. Now they know us.”

Especially Jenkins, a sharp-shooting junior who finished with 33 points – including eight 3-pointers. Despite Jenkins’ productivity, Kennedy had a chance to win it, but a missed three and a turnover in the final seconds secured Wings’ victory.

“I was just feeling it,” Jenkins said. “As soon as I hit my first two I knew I could keep shooting until I missed … a couple.”

Head coach Tony Bergeron didn’t discourage Jenkins or any of his teammates from firing away, especially since arguably the team’s top player, Manhattan recruit Andre Tarver, barely stepped on the court because of a knee injury.

“He’s got something wrong there that’s effecting his lateral movement,” Bergeron said. “We thought we’d put him out there for a Willis Reed effect, but it didn’t work.”

Bergeron said that Tarver would have to see the doctor again to determine whether he would be available for next week’s PSAL playoffs.

In the meantime, it will be up to the likes of Jenkins and sophomore Kidani Brutus (24 points, six threes) to pick up the slack.

The Wings nearly coughed up a 17-point halftime lead before holding on.