Banneker 67 – Curtis 58

Kene Anunsionwu heard that the academically ineligible point guard was good and knew that he had helped Banneker to the PSAL championship game a year ago as a freshman.

Still, he was surprised when Anthony Stukes finally was able to play just before the playoffs began.

“He’s even better than I thought,” Anunsionwu said after ninth-seeded Banneker advanced to the quarterfinals with a 67-58 win over No. 8 Curtis yesterday at Elmcor.

The Warriors will play the winner of last night’s other second-round game between No. 1 Cardozo and 17th-seeded Manhattan Center.

“He makes everything easier for us and gets us going,” said Anunsionwu.

That’s true even when Stukes is not at his best, which he wasn’t yesterday. Playing in just his second game of the season, he struggled throughout the victory despite finishing with 12 points. Marcus Dixon led the Warriors with 17, while Anunsionwu added 13 in addition to being a defensive force in the paint.

Banneker coach Wendell Saunders insisted that Stukes’ presence still played a key role.

“Anthony was definitely pressing and not playing like he is capable of, but we’re always improved with him out there,” Saunders said. “We need him in charge.”

Earlier in the season, Saunders complained that his team lacked leadership and that players too often waited for something to happen. That’s not the case with Stukes on the floor.

“I’m getting more comfortable,” said Stukes, who ran the offense and was able to give the Warriors some semblance of order.