It was a banner winter at Boys & Girls. The school's boys basketball team won a third straight PSAL Class AA title and New York State Federation Class AA crown, both program firsts, and the boys track & field program won the PSAL indoor title, it had two relay teams win national championship and its 4x 800 squad run the fastest time in the country this season.
A month after, they remained in the spotlight – even though they weren’t on the track or the basketball court. The two teams were honored at City Hall by Councilman Al Vann with a Proclamation with each player's name on it. They met Council Speaker Christine Quinn and schools chancellor Dennis Walcott and were given a tour.
William Alatriste
The Boys & Girls boys basketball team listen to City Councilman Al Vann speak as they receive a Proclamation.
William Alatriste
The Boys & Girls boys track & field team receive theri City Council Proclamation.
“It’s always special when you get the opportunity to be recognized by the City Council,” Boys High basketball coach Ruth Lovelace said. “It can never get old. It’s been three years in a row, but for them to take their time out and acknowledge what you do is tremendous.”
For the track & field team, however, it was brand new.
“It’s a great experience for kids who haven’t been there, for the kids to see how our city legislature works,” Boys High assistant track & field coach James Johnson said. “They were amazed and awed with how the format was.”
It was even more significant considering Boys & Girls principal Bernard Gassaway instituted a new policy for student-athletes at the beginning of this year. It required them to maintain a grade average of at least 70 percent, pass a certain number of Regents exams, and serve 30 hours of community service to remain eligible.
"I'm incredibly proud of the achievements of our student athletes at Boys & Girls High School, and equally impressed with their progress in achieving academic standards," Vann said.
As part of the ceremony, Vann read out each player’s name and the team’s various accomplishments. The basketball team defeated rivals Lincoln and Jefferson en route to the city title and knocked off CHSAA foe St. Raymond and defending Federation champion Mount Vernon for the state crown.
The track & field team, took home gold in the 4 x 800 and 4 x 400 relays at the New Balance Indoor Nationals at The Armory on March 11. The team of Richard Rose, Javaun Grant, Lashley Winter and Robert Rhodes set the state record and won the 4 x 800 in a time of 7:41.10, the best in the country this season.
“That was the focal point the fact that both the basketball and the track teams were there,” Johnson said. “It was a phenomenal day for us.”
zbraziller@nypost.com
jstaszewski@nypost.com
Boys , boys basketball team, AlatristeThe Boys , track , Council Speaker Christine Quinn, City Councilman Al Vann, Councilman Al Vann, track , basketball, basketball, basketball court, Dennis Walcott, PSAL, PSAL Class AA title
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