Smartball Opening Night: Cardinal Hayes Edges 2X PSAL Champion Eagle Brooklyn 59-58

Smartball Classic opening day finished with an intense night cap game between Cardinal Hayes and Eagle Academy Brooklyn.

The Hayesmen featured No.16 PG in the nation in the class of 2026 Jermel "Magic Mel" Thomas along with top returning senior guard Kaelan Destin and Junior Malik Fields. This night cap game also was the debut of top incoming freshman Hector Almodovar Jr. and Sophomore big man Amadou Barry.

The 2X PSAL 4A City Champion Eagle Academy Brooklyn featured Jeremiah Jacobs a 6-8 forward which put him in the convo of best big man in the city along with returning players such as Hunter Frazier, Amir Dockery (2027) and the newest addition to the squad Rich Jackson a 2026 PG who transferred in from Bishop Loughlin.

Hayes had a slight edge early in the game as they led by as much as 8 points in the first half. Eagle BK behind the stellar play of Jackson, Dockery and Frazier were able to close the gap but Hector Almodovar Jr.’s jumper at the buzzer gave Hayes the 28-26 edge at the Half.

In the third quarter, Eagle Brooklyn outscored Hayes 19-16 to take a 45-42 lead going into the 4th quarter. From this point of the game, the intensity only continued to grow as Hayes was able to answer back to anything that Eagle gave them.

This game had all of the spectators at Abe Lincoln Playground at the edge of their seats as the back and forth battle ended with a defensive play by Thomas which forced Eagle BK to turnover the ball with four seconds remaining to seal the 59-58 win.


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