PSAL girls basketball beat writer Marc Raimondi breaks down the Class A quarterfinals, which start Sunday morning at 11 a.m. at Hunter College.
SCHEDULE
11 a.m. – No. 3 Wings vs. No. 6 Bryant
1 p.m. – No. 2 West 50th Street Campus vs. No. 10 Columbus
3 p.m. – No. 4 Baruch College Campus vs. No. 12 School of the Future
5 p.m. – No. 1 Medgar Evers vs. No. 8 Bronx Science
No. 3 Wings Academy Wings
Head coach: Juan Gonzalez
Record: 23-1
Player to watch: Aquillin Hayes
No. 6 Bryant Owls
Head coach: Jimmy Exarhos
Record: 17-2
Player to watch: Yarmese Jones
Outlook: Wings’ run and gun style could provide a tough time for Bryant, which is a patient, methodical team. The key for the Owls will be Jones, a sure-handed point guard. If she can handle the pressure, Bryant could hang around. If not, the Wings could make this an early TKO. If you haven’t seen Wings junior Aquillin Hayes play yet, you’re in for a treat. She’s legit.
No. 2 West 50th Street Seahawks
Head coach: Kinsley Kwateng
Record: 22-4
Player to watch: Justine Perry
No. 10 Columbus Sharks
Head coach: Evelyn Ortiz
Record: 18-3
Player to watch: Shaunese Crawford
Outlook: If West 50th Street’s 6-foot-5 LIU-bound center Justine Perry can neutralize Columbus star forward Asia Wheeler, the Sharks could be in for a long day. Columbus has a good supporting cast, but couldn’t beat a team as good as the Seahawks without Wheeler getting hot. The X-factor is Shaunese Crawford. She’s a fearless penetrator, the kind of guard who wears a defense down.
No. 4 Baruch College Campus Blue Devils
Head coach: Jessenia Marrero
Record: 16-3
Player to watch: Ismeta Kolenovic
No. 12 School of the Future Bulldogs
Head coach: Jumaane Saunders
Record: 12-4
Player to watch: Egypt Calier
Outlook: School of the Future is the lowest seed still hanging around courtesy of second-round upset of No. 5 Tottenville. And the Bulldogs have a vested interest here. They share a division with Baruch and haven’t beaten them in years. They did come close last month and Egypt Calier and company feel like they’re a team of destiny. But defending ‘A’ champion Baruch, a strong defensive and organized team with many interchangeable parts, will have something to say about that.
No. 1 Medgar Evers Cougars
Head coach: Barney Davis
Record: 21-2
Player to watch: Jasmin Robinson
No. 8 Bronx Science Wolverines
Head coach: Bob Gregory
Record: 17-3
Player to watch: Taylor Murtaugh
Outlook: Bronx Science is tough, defensive-minded and organized – exactly the team Medgar Evers does not want to see at this point. The Wolverines aren’t the most talented bunch, but they’re scrappy. The Cougars are the opposite – loaded with talent, but inconsistent. Plus, two star players – Ashley Castle and Camera Miley – could be absent. That’s why Jasmin Robinson might need to drop 30 points for the top-seeded team to avoid an early ouster.
