![Incoming Student Union President junior Aki Bejamin and other SU candidates sitting on stage while waiting to give their speeches during the May 18 SU Debate. Aki said he plans to “burn [the SU] all down and start anew.”](https://thhsclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG_9600-e1782439128607-1200x1131.jpg)
Following the conclusion of their regular seasons, both the girls and boys varsity basketball teams have advanced to the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) citywide playoffs, with their first games scheduled for February 26. As the playoffs approach, players on each team have amassed impressive individual achievements that will prove invaluable on the court going forward.
From the boys varsity basketball team, senior Christian Corcuera and senior captain Edward Johnson rank first and second, respectively, in the 2A Queens II division in overall assists, assists per game, and free throw percentage.
Christian holds a record of 116 total assists, 8.92 assists per game, and a 93.55 free-throw percentage. This is directly followed by Edward’s 85 overall assists, 7.73 assists per game, and a 78.79 free-throw percentage. This season, Christian has scored 22.38 points per game, while Edward has scored 17.55, for a total point record of 291 and 193, respectively.
“My stats mean more to me than just numbers. They reflect the work I put in. Every point, assist, and defensive stop shows growth and consistency,” Christian said.
Boys varsity basketball coach Abid Choudhury praised both players for their successes. “Christian has [a] remarkable basketball IQ for his age. He sees the floor remarkably well…So if something doesn’t go as planned, he’s able to adjust…he’s a really quick thinker on the basketball court, and he’s very smart,” Mr. Choudhury said.
“I want people to know how competitive I am and how much I care about winning. I’m willing to do whatever my coach needs me to do…I just want to be able to impact the game in any way possible to help my team win,” Edward said.
“Edward provides a lot of little things that very few players of his caliber do. He’s a phenomenal defender…He consistently makes those little game-saving plays that don’t show up on the stat sheet,” Mr. Choudhury said.
From the girls varsity basketball team, junior captain Sophia Madrazo and sophomore Ava Yan have notable records in assists, points, and free-throw percentages. Both players ranked among the top seven in the 4A Queens division in each category.
Ava’s 63.83 free-throw percentage put her in second place for 4A Queens. She said, “[the] community contributed a lot to my performance because [the team] was very supportive and encouraging even when I made mistakes.”
Sophia averaged 3.5 assists per game with a season total of 49 assists, placing her in third place for the division. She said that her statistics and performance came from “consistent practice, maintaining a positive mindset, and a strong team connection that encouraged and motivated [her] to keep improving.”
Both Sophia and Ava have each scored 247 points this season and are key scorers in each match, averaging 17.64 points per game.
Girls varsity basketball coach Lauren Caiaccia said that both Sophia and Ava, “[are] committed to being present for the team. They lead by example, and they’re very hard workers.” As captain, Sophia “took about 1/3 of the season [to] really feel comfortable, and I’m really happy with how she’s been doing,” said Ms. Caiaccia.
She added that “throughout the course of this season…[Ava has] been getting stronger and more confident…And I think coming into her sophomore year, she really took all her experience from freshman year and hit the court running.”
Players attributed their performance and statistics to their teammates and the team’s efforts as a whole.
Ava said, “Personal stats don’t matter if [they aren’t] helping the team as a whole. We practice six days a week, three hours each day. We set game goals to help get our game goal mindset, and we have a lot of team bonding.”
Ms. Caiaccia echoed this sentiment. “We wouldn’t be where we are without everybody working together…I think with every different year, different players bring their different personalities… It’s been kind of fun just having this group work together and [grow] together,” she said.
“Success comes from the team,” Sophia said. “You can have a whole lineup of great players, but if they don’t put in the same effort, energy, or build chemistry, it’s more challenging to succeed.”
