No more Friendship for Cardozo

NEW YORK, NY - The undefeated NYCHoops.net #1 ranked Benjamin Cardozo Judges have always caught flack for not playing in the strongest division of the PSAL Class AA. It's usually been the second half of the season that gives the Queens, NY team the chance to show and prove that they're legit when they incorporate a more competitive out-of-league schedule.

Step one of that quest began on Saturday afternoon as they took on Friendship Charter (DC) during the Big Apple Invitational at Baruch College. It didn't take long for the Washington school to realize that Judges were not interest in being in the friend zone. Coach Ron Naclerio and his Dozo crew would dismantle Friendship Charter, 70-52.

Dozo moved out front 10-4 early as Rashond Salnave '16 (23 points & 5 assists) and Tahiyr Vines (14 points & 6 rebounds) put up quick buckets. Friendship Charter would regain its footing late in the quarter as Keon Queen (10 points) and Quavon Blackwood (8 points) began to counter. The Judges would receive reinforcements from Tareq Coburn '16 (7 points & 3 assists) and Aaron Walker '16 (12 points & 10 rebounds) to take a 13 point lead into the second quarter.

Friendship Charter was slowly getting pummeled by Cardozo aerial attack throughout the first half. Six three pointers later, the Judges were up 38-20 at the midway point.

As the Judges perimeter game cooled off, Friendship made some headway as Alani Moore (14 points & 8 assists) began to heat up. Salnave, however, continued to make big plays and buckets that offset Friendship's forward progress.

Cardozo carried a 12 point advantage into the forth but the duo of Salnave and Vines would help put the Jusges lead back to an 18 point win.

Salnave earned MVP honors as the Judges improve to 16-0.

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