Potential is great for LWA

With a starting lineup comprised of student-athletes from five different grade levels, Lawrence Woodmere Academy’s boys’ basketball program has an interesting makeup and lots of potential going forward.

The Tigers, who were denied a seventh straight PSAA title last winter by a loaded Our Savior Lutheran team, have won 15 of 20 overall and stand 11-1 against league rivals with three games remaining. 

“Our nucleus is young,” said LWA head coach Jeff Weiss, who on Dec. 1 reached a milestone when the Tigers defeated Martin Luther for his 500th victory. “We’re down to two seniors on the roster, and we’re making the kind of mistakes young teams make,” he added. “But we’ve got pretty good size and athleticism, and we’ve found ways to win the close ones.”

Senior Chris Pierre-Louis is the team’s lone returning starter and a captain. An All-League selection last season, Pierre-Louis is a three-year starting shooting guard averaging better than 14 points per game. “He’s become a more consistent shooter and is someone other teams key on stopping,” Weiss said. “He’s quick, long and athletic. He’s a guard who rebounds well and gets us going in transition, and we’ll also use him at the point sometimes.”

Junior Hakeem Grant, a transfer from Long Island Lutheran, is LWA’s tallest player at 6-foot-9. “He’s a big defensive presence,” Weiss said of Grant, who also chips in 7.5 points per game. “He’s active underneath and blocks a lot of shots. His offensive game is developing and he’s getting his share of put-backs.” Grant averages a team-best 8.5 rebounds per game.

Sophomore John Alimo, a guard/forward, is another transfer making an impact. Formerly of St. Mary’s, he’s a versatile scorer averaging nearly 12 points per game. “He’s strong and really solid,” Weiss said. “He’s a smart player who can knock down an outside shot as well as drive to the basket.”

Freshman Jordan Dingle runs the point and leads the Tigers on the scoresheet, averaging 18.5 points per game. He had a career-high 34 in a win over Staten Island Academy on Jan. 12 and has scored in double digits in all but one game. “Jordan’s a very good offensive weapon,” Weiss said. “He’s an aggressive and heady player with a lot of AAU experience. He’s 6-1 and still growing.”

Six months ago, eighth-grader Aiden Igiehon was still living in his native Ireland. He moved to New York in August and is thriving in the court and the classroom at LWA. The 6-foot-8 forward has “huge upside,” Weiss said, and is already a key contributor averaging 11 points and 8 rebounds. “He has things to learn but is blessed with height and talent,” Weiss noted. 

Of the Tigers’ 15 wins, four have come down to the wire. The most dramatic was a 74-72 decision over Avenues back on Nov. 24 when Dingle hit a jumper from the foul line at the buzzer. Bay Ridge handed LWA its lone conference loss and poses the biggest threat in the PSAA playoffs, which begin next Monday.