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All-Long Island Boys Basketball, 2002

By Jason Molinet | Staff Writer

April 28, 2002

Standing from left, Carl Benn of Lawrence Woodmere Academy, Aubin Scott of Hempstead, Antoine Agudio of Whitman, Trevour McInstosh of Amityville, Nassau Player of the Year Mamadou Diakhate of St. Mary's, Suffolk Player of the Year Jason Fraser of Amityville, Jacob Clark of Port Jefferson, Tim Doyle of St. Dominic, Anthony Noble of Uniondale and James Hurt of South Side. Kneeling from left, Nassau Coach of the Year Tim Cluess of St. Mary's and Suffolk Coach of the Year Tom Fitzpatrick of Whitman. (Newsday / David L. Pokress)

A look at the high school boys hoops players who stood out in the winter of 2001-02.

GAZE INTO the crashing surf at Robert Moses State Park and you will understand what Moses, a state and municipal official whose public works projects transformed Long Island, meant.

Located on the western end of Fire Island National Seashore, the park was renamed in honor of the New York City Parks commissioner in 1964. But the land's history goes back to 1693, when it was part of a grant to William Smith from the English. Countless shipwrecks and a memorable cholera scare gave way to beachgoers in 1908 when the property became Captree State Park, New York's only oceanfront park of its time and the first state park on Long Island.

With five miles of beach, this breezy setting was an ideal one for Newsday's 40th annual All-Long Island Boys Basketball Team, a group as unstoppable as the ocean and with all the determination of a master builder such as Moses.

MAMADOU DIAKHATE

NASSAU PLAYER OF THE YEAR

St. Mary's, 6-4, Junior

So many obstacles stood between St. Mary's and a state CHSAA title. Mamadou Diakhate, the lone returning starter from last season's state CHSAA Class A finalist, not only was asked to carry the load. He was asked to learn a new position. Diakhate, a native of Senegal, moved from forward to guard, and the Gaels thrived. Diakhate led St. Mary's to a 25-2 record and state CHSAA and Federation Class B crowns. In St. Mary's 65-61 overtime win over Amityville in the Federation final, Diakhate beat the buzzer with a layup to force overtime. Then he beat Amityville with six points in the extra session. Diakhate averaged 22 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists this season and earned Newsday's Richard Sandler Award, given to Nassau's player of the year. "He went from being a forward to a guard this year," St. Mary's coach Tim Cluess said. "When he came here, we used him around the basket. This year, he became a wing for us, and his three-point shooting improved tremendously."

JASON FRASER

SUFFOLK PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Amityville, 6-10, Senior

Jason Fraser is a two-time All-Long Island selection, a McDonald's and Parade Magazine All-American - and a unanimous choice for Newsday's Richard Sandler Award, given to Suffolk's player of the year. Fraser was a dominant force in the low post, a fierce defensive player and strong finisher whose outlet passes fueled the Amityville transition game. He led the Warriors to three state public schools Class B championships, and a Federation title in 2001. This season, Fraser averaged 22 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks. Fraser finished his career as Amityville's career leader in scoring (1,591), rebounding (1,320) and blocks (610). Fraser was named New York's Mr. Basketball and tournament MVP after lifting the Warriors to a 67-57 win over Section I's Peekskill in the state public schools final. He had 19 points, a tournament-record 25 rebounds and five blocks in the historic win. "He'll be remembered as a history maker," Amityville coach Jack Agostino said. "He won three state championships and set school records." Fraser signed with Villanova.

ANTOINE AGUDIO

Whitman, 6-1, Junior

Antoine Agudio went from not playing basketball a year ago because he was ineligible, to becoming a breakthrough performer for Whitman this season. He was named Suffolk Large Schools player of the year by the Suffolk Coaches Association after averaging 22 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 assists. The gifted swingman did it by exploiting his speed to slash to the hoop. But Agudio could shoot from the outside, too. Greatness could have been predicted; he is the son of former Whitman great and 1982 state player of the year Alex Agudio. The younger Agudio lived up to the legacy, leading Whitman to a Long Island Class A championship. "Antoine is really a fearless player who can score from anywhere on the court," Whitman coach Tom Fitzpatrick said. "You really have to plan for him when you play Whitman."

CARL BENN

Lawrence Woodmere Academy, 5-11, Senior

Carl Benn will go down as one of the most accomplished basketball players Lawrence Woodmere Academy has produced, winning state Federation Class C crowns in 1999 and 2002. The point guard, a four-year player, is the third-leading scorer in school history with 1,190 career points. Benn averaged 16 points, 8 assists and 5 steals this season as Lawrence Woodmere went 25-4 and captured IPPSAL and Federation titles, the last with a 44-39 comeback win over public schools champ Blind Brook. The Tigers are famous for producing front-court talents such as Karim Shabazz. Benn, who has been a catalyst, put up 30 points in a win over Brooklyn power Poly Prep. He has not decided on a college. "His explosiveness and quickness are his strength," LWA coach Jeff Weiss said. "He's a fast defender and creates a lot of havoc."

JACOB CLARK

Port Jefferson, 6-4, Senior