Moments after Boys & Girls eliminated Thomas Edison in the PSAL Class A quarterfinals, John Ulmer kept Eddie Egharevba behind. “Next year, you’re the man” he told the talented swingman.
Over the spring and summer, the coach reminded him. This fall he has often told the senior he’s their go-to guy.
“He has to have confidence,” Ulmer said.
Egharevba doesn’t feel he needs to be reminded anymore. The 6-foot-5 inside-out threat with a feathery jump shot and consistent left hand, is aware he can’t fade into the background anymore. He can’t let a poor sequence affect him. When he was a sophomore, it was OK to allow seniors to take over. But now he is one of them.
“He has to recognize he has to be the one to step it up.” teammate and friend Stephen Nwaukoni, Edison’s 6-foot-7 center, said.
Said Egharevba, who averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds last year: “I feel like I have to score the ball for us to be successful.”
Egharevba, who is being recruited by Stony Brook, isn’t the only piece in this talented puzzle. Nwaukoni may be the most skilled pivot in Queens, an intimidating shot blocking and rebounding presence that can also step out and hit medium-range jumpers. Small forward Josh Gray is an athletic dynamo and off guard Kris Owens has unlimited range from the perimeter.
The one question mark with the Inventors is who will get these upperclassmen the ball.
Point guard Jevon Thomas transferred to Our Savior New American, leaving a void. Sophomore Jahvaunn Johnson will get the nod. He led the JV in scoring last year, but, Ulmer said, has shown promise as a floor general. If he can’t get it done, senior Timmy Lopez and freshman Darrell Adams are also in the mix.
“The starting five other than me is just amazing,” Johnson said. “I have so many choices.”
Johnson has already noticed a different Egharevba. He is more aggressive, his ball-handling has improved, and so has the range on his smooth jump shot. Nwaukoni said Egharevba worked harder this offseason, as he added close to 10 pounds of to muscle.
“I’m looking to him for 30, 20 points per game, at least 20,” Ulmer said. “And he’s been rebounding a lot better, too.”
Nwaukoni, Gray and Egharevba developed a close bond over the summer, playing for J.R. Rodriguez’s Rise Panthers. The trio got to the finals of the inaugural Summer in the City tournament and the semifinals of iS8. It showed them Edison can play with anyone in the city, no matter the opponent.
But unlike past years, there is less hubris. The Inventors speak highly of themselves, but make no predictions, don’t throw barbs at borough rivals, like they have done in the past. There is a quiet confidence.
“I want to go further than how we did previously,” Egharevba said. “I really feel we have a lot of talent, a lot of hungry guys, a lot of mentally tough guys.”
Queens has seen a different champion each of the last three years – Edison in 2007, Cardozo in 2008 and Forest Hills in 2009. After its borough title, Edison moved up to Queens AA, and has finished third or higher the last few seasons. The Inventors went to the PSAL Class AA semifinals in 2008.
“I would say we’re right up there at the top,” Ulmer said.
Especially if Egharevba can lead the way.