Cardozo senior guard Reynaldo Walters looks to pass the ball at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY.
Photo by Philip Hall

Cardozo Judges last two scrimmages were against tough opponents Christ The King and Lincoln High School both schools played aggressive as expected but The Judges played up to the talent and came out with some wins from both match-ups. Coach Naclerio wasn’t so much worried about the wins just like previous scrimmages he’s more concerned with the season. The Judges had a two week gap before their season began, they worked hard academically and physically in preparation for their season. The first game of the season was away at Beach Channel, Ryan Rhoomes had 17pts and 12 rebounds to help The Judges to a 64-42 win. Cardozo’s home opener on Tuesday against Martin Van Buren wasn’t a walk in the park at the half Cardozo was up by 4. Despite Van Buren competitiveness Cardozo’s own mistakes gave Van Buren false hope of winning. Van Buren’s coach pulled his starting five a little too soon allowing The Judges their second win 65-45. “That was a good game we had to come out hard because that was our first home game, that’s a tough team they came out and played their best” says Chris Gayot.

Ryan Rhoomes for the lay-up vs. Martin Van Buren

Shelton, Reynaldo and Coach Naclerio in a quick huddle vs. Van Buren

Last night’s game away at Campus Magnet a 0-3 team to start the season came out pressing. Coach Granby’s squad ran hard and trapped Cardozo’s guards creating turnovers very early. The Judges caused their own unnecessary turnovers the first half of the game but at half time they were up a little over ten. Coaches Mike Blissett and Bruno Comatuccio made some key points at half time. Size was on Cardozo’s side Maquris Barnett, Dwayne Brunson and Ryan Rhoomes were no match for the much smaller Campus Magent Bull Dogs. The second half Dozo’s guards made adjustments and got all three big men into the game. Campus Magnet’s only super talent Sasha Clarida was denied the ball and without help from his teammates Cardozo was able to go up by thirty before the 4th quarter. Coach Naclerio said “Slowly but surly we just wore them down, our talent is too good for them, a couple of things we did coaching wise like jumping the guards and denying Clarida the ball helped”. Campus Magnet played so hard the first half they were winded by the start of the third quarter. “Our starters came out played hard, I came off the bench supported my team did what I needed to do. Our defense is getting better next game is Thomas Edison at Edison were going to review the scouting report and have a tough practice tomorrow” says Dwayne Brunson. The Judges never heisted to play their game despite bad calls by the refs The Judges went on to beat Campus Magnet 75-51.

Cardozo’s bench vs. Campus Magnet

Dwayne Brunson’s 3 pointer vs. Campus Magnet

Up next for The Judges an intense practice the next three days in preparation against some tough competitors. Cardozo is away at Thomas Edison, home vs. Flushing and away at rival Bayside. Cardozo Judges are currently 3-0 to start the season. . The New York City papers have Cardozo ranked #4 in PSAL Boys Basketball and #8 in the City. Standouts Shelton Mickell, Chris Gayot, Ryan Rhoomes, Dwayne Brunson, Marquis Barnett and Norfolk bound Reynaldo Walters are expected to bring their A game. No one on Naclerio’s team is a superstar the entire team is talented and when playing team basketball The Judges may have a good chance reaching their goal, the City Championship.

Coach Ron Naclerio
Photo by

Catching up with Ron “The Teacher” Naclerio is tricky constantly on the move basketball is 364 days for Coach Naclerio. Late to bed and early to rise Christmas is his only day off. Coach Naclerio and The Judges finished the 2008-2009 season with a Queens Borough Championship win against Campus Magnet. The Judges went 14-0 to start their season, despite three of their best players ineligible. By early February Chris Gayot one of the three players who sat out the first half of the season, made a 3-pointer against Canarsie high school putting The Judges closer to the Division Championship. The Judges went 24-5 on the season, falling short of Madison Square Garden four out of the five losses were one of two double overtimes against Mckee /Staten Island high school, one a piece against Forest Hills and St. Benedict’s high school.

Coach Ron Naclerio & Kord Stanley Pix 11
Photo by Daniel Zimmer

Cardozo Reunion 2009
Photo by Daniel Zimmer

Mc Naclerio spits the real for reunion crowd
Photo by Daniel Zimmer

Coach Ron Naclerio and Cardozo Basketball Alumni 72′-Present
Photo by Daniel Zimmer

After the 2008-2009 season and four months of calling, emailing, mailing, xeroxing and research Ron’s Fourth Annual Cardozo Basketball reunion is in full swing. It all started just a few blocks from Benjamin Cardozo, a very quint playground known to most as PS 46. “In the 80′ and 90’s we would go to the park on a Saturdays, I still had it in me and wanted to get my run in” says coach Naclerio. What was just a few guys showing up to play a pick up game, has now turned into the most talked about event held the last weekend in June. Ron says “It was a great way for me to stay connected with the guys from my teams”. This past June more then six hundred people participated their families, former, current and opposing players, local New York media outlets like The Daily News, Queens Courier, Pix 11 and MSG stopped by throughout the day. The weather moved the reunion to Cardozo’s gym which was even more special, photos from pass years adorn the walls leading to the gym where alumni gathered and played pick up games. Coach Naclerio handed out awards to players from the 72′ season leading up to present day. Former players Duane Causwell Cardozo’s first NBA player, Rafer “skip” Alston, Royal “poison” Ivey, businessmen Curtis “Chill” Bryant and Dave Newman took time out to show their love and support.

Coach Naclerio and The Judges
Photo by Daniel Zimmer

Once the reunion ends the summer has really just begun. Convinced by his coaching staff Ron put The Judges in summer tournaments across the city. Having lost last years MS 158 summer tourney to Christ the King, Naclerio was pleased with this years outcome “This year they won a chip and that was nice”. The Judges went on to win two out of three at the LL Cool J Tournament, Go Hard or Go Home and the very tough BrooklynSoul in the Hole were they took home team rings a chip. Okay with the outcome of each tournament Ron explains to his team “The real chip you don’t win in July”. For Ron and his staff the summer was a great way to mentally prepare the team for the moments in the regular season when they’ll face tougher opponents down the stretch.

ESPN Boost Mobile Elite 24-Scrimmage
Photo by Daniel Zimmer

Coach Ron Naclerio and Jason Williams @ ESPN 24 Elite
Photo by Daniel Zimmer

ESPN Boost Mobile 24 Elite-Blue Team
Photo by Daniel Zimmer

Doron Lamb & Coach Ron Naclerio
Photo by Daniel Zimmer

ESPN Boost Mobile 24 Elite-Orange Team
Photo by Daniel Zimmer

Its never ending the individual workouts, scouting, HoopScoops.com, celebrity tournaments like Mousey’s Tri- State Basketball Classic some how fit into one summer. Before summer ends Ron would have participated in the Fourth Annual ESPN Boost Mobile 24 Elite tournament played at the fame Rucker Park but due to inclement weather moved to Gauchos Gym.

Cardozo @ Scrimmage vs. Bryant high school

At a blink of an eye its November and The Judges 2009-2010 season tips off December 1st away at Beach Channel. The Judges will be featured in a host of holiday tournaments and will be televised January 29th-30th, 2010 in the Third Annual SNY Invitational, but there is only one thing on The Judges mind and that’s a chance to play for a City Championship. This season on paper The Judges look like the team to beat although their ranked number #4 in the Queens standings and #6 in the city by The Daily News. Coach Naclerio says “98% of the team is back, that game on the schedule you can get but they don’t give it to you is played on 33rd and 7th ave”. Go Dozo!!!

Queens AA 2009-2010 Standings

SCHOOL NAME

Flushing
Forest Hills
Bayside High School
Benjamin N. Cardozo High School
Thomas Edison
Campus Magnet
Martin Van Buren
Beach Channel/Channel View H. S.