New York City & New Jersey High Hoops

5/10/03 Daily News: These 10 are kings and queens of court

All debates will end today when the Daily News announces its boys and girls high school basketball players of the year at a private breakfast. Each candidate is worthy of the award, but only two will have bragging rights.

Here are the nominees:

Gary Forbes of Banneker: The 6-5, Virginia-bound senior guard helped lead Banneker to its first appearance in the PSAL Class A championship game. He averaged 27 points and 13 rebounds.

Louie McCroskey of St. Raymond's: McCroskey, a 6-5 Syracuse signee, averaging 16points and seven rebounds a game on the way to the CHSAA city title.

Japhet McNeil of Christ the King: In CK's state Catholic final win over city champ St. Raymond's, the 6-0 point guard scored 27 points. He'll play at East Carolina next season.

Chris Taft of Xaverian: The 6-9 center guided his team to the semifinals of the CHSAA playoffs, averaging 21.5points, 10 rebounds and six blocks, and will play at Pittsburgh next season.

Sebastian Telfair of Lincoln: Averaging 29 points and assists, Telfair guided the Railsplitters to the city and state championships. He'll be one of the most highly recruited players in the country next season.

Jennifer Brown of Martin Luther King: The 6-3 senior, who averaged 33points and 20 rebounds a game, scored 53 points in one contest.

Shay Doron of Christ the King: A Maryland signee and the city's only McDonald's All-American, Doron averaged 17 points, five assists and five steals while leading the Royals to yet another appearance in the state Federation tournament.

Carmen Guzman of Murry Bergtraum: Guzman averaged 10 points, six assists and three steals and won MVP honors for both the city championship game and state Federation tournament.

Christie Marrone of St. John Villa: After leading Villa to the state Class D title as a freshman, the 5-6 point guard helped her team to the Class B championship this year, averaging 17.5 points and 6.5 assists along the way.

Crystal McFadden of Murry Bergtraum: Winner is the best way to describe McFadden since she'll be leaving high school with four city championships and two state titles. This season, she averaged 22 points and 12 rebounds.