BY ZACH SMART
Featuring one of the country’s deepest and highly proven, highly lauded Division-I bound senior classes, Stepinac repeated as NY Diocesan champions with a convincing 67-51 victory over Cardinal Hayes at Mount St. Michael HS in the Bronx.
Headed to University of Southern California as a hotly pursued recruit who chose the Trojans over Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas, Adonis Ratliff scored 21 points, yanked in 12 boards and defended the rim with three blocks.
The 7-foot, 218-pound Class of 2026 Ratliff, who missed a substantial chunk of the regular season with an injury, displayed the wide ranging offensive package which makes him such a unique threat.
Ratliff’s tape measure range was evident in the second half, as the Crusaders (22-4, 17-0 CHSAA) seized control during the third quarter.
After Hayes’ junior sharpshooter Christian Brown splashed a corner 3-pointer, Stepinac answered as Michigan State-signee Jasiah Jervis stuck a turn around jumper with a defender smothering him.
This kick started a quick-hit 9-0 spurt, enabling the Crusaders to take a commanding 52-34 lead.
The run was highlighted by a Ratliff 3-pointer from five feet beyond the 3-point line, which triggered a Hayes timeout with 3:45 to play in the quarter.
The 18-point lead was made possible by a Hassan Koureissi dunk two possessions later, as the Fordham-bound 6-foot-5 guard exploited a narrow crack in the defense.
Hayes thwarted the run with a floater by sophomore guard Brice Yancey.
Hayes possesses oceanic backcourt depth, as head coach Joe Lods and staff have done commendable job harvesting young talent and building a contender out of the South Bronx with budding New York City guards such as Yancey (2028), Brown (2027), Hector Almodovar (2028), and others.
While Hayes’ Quinnipiac-bound high scoring 6-foot-5 guard Malik Fields will be claimed by June graduation, the team returns a blossoming 6-foot-10 inside outside big in Amadou Barry.
Stepinac has shifted its gaze to an unprecedented fourth consecutive city title, a feat which would re-write the history books.
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