Cardozo blew a 19 point lead late in the 3rd quarter to eventually lose in overtime to the Raiders of Rice high school. Rice would win the hard-fought game 63-58, and become the 2010 SNY Invitational champions. Below are player reviews from both teams.
Rice
Nascimento displayed great patience on the offensive end
Kevin Nascimento ’10 PG: This was the first time I saw Nascimento in action. I came away impressed with his skill-set. He plays the role of a smooth NYC point guard extremely well. His ball-handling is excellent and he reads the court incredibly well. While his out-side jump shot wasn’t effective vs. ‘Dozo, the 6’0″ senior did his job as a lead guard and got his teammates involved for open shots. His defensive intensity was on high-motor from the opening tip. Nascimento finished the contest with four points (2-8 FG), five assists, five rebounds and two steals.
Arias had 12 points in his first game back from injury
Scotty Arias ’10 G: In just 18 minutes of play, Arias came away with 12 points, including two huge three-pointers in the win. At 5’10″, Arias displayed an outstanding outside jumper. The senior guard played tough and hard-nosed defense while he was on the floor. He was able to get inside the paint and be effective, both on offense and defense. Aside from his three-pointers, Arias drove to basket and converted on a layup over Cardozo’s big men. On defense, Arias pulled down an impressive four defensive rebounds.
Richard Council ’11 F: Council is a great athlete, and he used his superb athleticism to score his baskets against Cardozo. Pulling down an extremely impressive six offensive rebounds, Council completed put-backs on three of them. Those would be the only baskets scored by the junior, but the rest of his time on the court can not be overlooked. Council was hustling up-and-down the floor on each and every possession and played an enormously big role in helping Rice in their win over ‘Dozo.
Cardozo
Brooks scored eight of his 15 points in the 1st quarter
Malcolm Brooks ’10 F: Brooks game out of the gate on fire against Rice. He knocked down his first several shots, totalling 13 points in the 1st half. Unfortunately, the senior forward would end the overtime affair with 15. Brooks showed he can shoot the long ball by knocking down three shots from deep (3-3 3PT). He played tough defense on several of Rice’s top players as well. Aside from his offensive outburst in the first two quarters, Brooks had a pretty quiet night during his 36 minutes of play.
Brunson had several memorable plays vs. Rice
Dwayne Brunson ’10 F: Brunson is easily one of the more athletic players on the floor each time he steps on the court. Against Rice, the senior displayed his supreme athletic ability throughout the game. On breakaway slams to emphatic blocks, the 6’6″ forward was a key to Cardozo’s lead for most of the game. While being pressed late in the fourth, Brunson turned the ball over six times to let up ‘Dozo’s tremendous lead. Brunson was the McDonald’s Sportsmanship player of the game while finishing with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
