New York City: Stephenson, Lincoln Win Fourth Title

NEW YORK --- History was made again at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, and if Lance Stephenson has his wish, he’ll be penning many more future memories in midtown.

Stephenson led all scorers with 24 points and was named MVP after the Lincoln Railsplitters won their unprecedented fourth straight city championship with a 78-56 win over John F. Kennedy at the Garden on Saturday.

Stephenson added 10 rebounds and five steals in leading his Coney Island school to the PSAL’s AA crown.

Lance Stephenson, Lincoln

File Photo By Lonnie Webb

“It’s so much hard work to do this,” Stephenson told The New York Times. “For the next kids, it’s going to be real tough. I don’t think nobody will ever do that again.”

It’s hard to pinpoint the biggest storyline of the game. Stephenson, the all-time leading scorer in New York State history, accomplished something neither of his Lincoln predecessors, Sebastian Telfair and Stephon Marbury, managed in their time with the school: four straight city crowns. Lincoln also becomes the first team ever to win four PSAL crowns in a row.

Is Lincoln the best team in the city’s history? Is Stephenson the top boys basketball player in state history?

"I can't say I'm the best basketball player in Coney Island ever, but I think I accomplished my goals," Stephenson told the New York Daily News.

Lincoln coach Dwayne “Tiny” Morton disagreed.

"He's No.1, he's definitely No.1 right now," Morton said to the Daily News. "He's got the scoring championships; he's got the four city titles... I don't know what else they can do."

Darwin "Buddha" Ellis had 15 points and Anthony Allen added 10 points and eight rebounds for Lincoln.

Naquan Pierce paced Kennedy (26-3) with 17 points, Jeffrey Arzu added 12 and six assists and Shea Spence 11 points and nine rebounds. Kennedy had won 17 straight and had not lost since Dec. 16, 2008 to Wings Academy.

It was the first meeting between the schools since Lincoln beat Kennedy, 70-53, on March 8, 2008.

Check out photos from Lincoln's semifinal win over Boys & Girls

Kennedy beat Lincoln in the PSAL finals in 2005 to leave Telfair with three city championships, a record that Stephenson aimed to break since joining the program.

The fourth straight title wasn’t overly shocking -- Stephenson had been telling reporters for months that he planned to announce his college pick after winning the championship. It wasn’t a Joe Namath/Mark Messier New York guarantee, but few were betting against Lance and Lincoln this weekend.

That other much-anticipated storyline has been drawn out further: Lance said Saturday that he will announce his college choice on March 31/April 1 at the McDonald’s All-America game in Miami, Fla. Stephenson said he’s already made the decision, which will be either Maryland, Kansas or local favorite St. John’s.

Stephenson, not at all letting the four titles get to his head, already speculated to the New York Times that he may someday soon find himself back celebrating on at Garden court – for the New York Knicks.

“Maybe I’ll get drafted to the Knicks, who knows?” he told the Times. Some believe Stephenson may try to enter the NBA after one college season. “If I keep playing hard and pick the right college and show my talent, I think I’ll be here again.”

Again, no one is betting against that either. College first, though. Maryland-bound forward James Padgett, who may very well team with Stephenson again in college, added 17 points and 14 rebounds for Lincoln.

"He always talked about out-doing Sebastian, out-doing Stephon," Morton said of Stephenson to the Daily News. Morton has now won seven PSAL championships, including a run of three straight with Telfair, the previous state scoring leader. "He had the drive and the goal. He's the best I've ever had at Lincoln."

Stephenson left the game with just under four minutes remaining in the first half after picking up his third foul.

“We should’ve capitalized when Lance went out,” Kennedy Coach Johnny Mathis told the Times. “I think it would’ve been better if he stayed in the game.”

Lincoln, Rice to battle upstate

The Railsplitters (22-10) will now face Rice, a catholic school from Manhattan, in the semifinals of the state Federation tournament on March 28 in Glens Falls. Lincoln is the two-time defending state champs.

Rice won the CHSAA championship on March 15 with a 67-58 win over Christ the King (Queens) at Fordham. The Raiders beat All Hallows, 67-58, back on March 11 to advance to the title game.

Related, Rice alum Kemba Walker has been at the center of Connecticut's current run toward the NCAA championship this month, including a memorable performance in the Huskies’ six-overtime marathon at the Garden with Syracuse earlier this month.

New York State’s All-Time Scoring Leaders

Lance Stephenson, Lincoln - 2,928

Ryan Creighton, Greenport - 2,799

Sebastian Telfair, Lincoln - 2,785

Kenny Anderson, Molloy - 2,621

Kenny Wood, East Hampton - 2,613

Kyle McAlarney - Moore Catholic - 2,566

Lincoln who? Bergtraum wins 11th straight

Murry Bergtraum’s girls dynasty also continued at the Garden as the Blazers won their 11th straight city title with a 51-36 win over South Shore of Brooklyn in the AA finals.

Junior Shukurah Washington scored 14 points and 19 rebounds to earn the MVP honors on her 17th birthday to lead Murry Bergtraum (24-1).

Jordan Classic

Be sure to check out the 2009 Jordan Brand Classic on Saturday, April 18 at Madison Square Garden.

Danny Wild is a writer and photographer for MaxPreps and can be reached at danny@danny-wild.com.