Pols Greet Kangaroos with Kudos

Surrounded by New York City's most powerful politicians, sophomore Teyvon Myers caste a wide-eyed gaze inside City Hall's spacious walls and paused. 

"Are we going to meet the big guy?" Myers asked.

If he meant Mayor Bloomberg, the answer was no. But he was about to meet the "big lady," if you will, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, a probable candidate for mayor when Bloomberg leaves office in 2013. 

"This is a big deal," Myers said still gazing around.

Myers was one of more than 20 members of the Boys & Girls 2011 championship basketball team to receive an official proclamation on Thursday from the New York City Council at Emigrant Savings Bank, the temporary home to City Hall in downtown Manhattan.

Members of the City Council had gathered to recognize the Kangaroos' championship season, including a 62-55 win over Abraham Lincoln High School in the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) finals at Madison Square Garden earlier this year.

Joining Quinn was a venerable 'who's who' of Brooklyn politics: Councilman Al Vann, a former college player, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Councilwoman Letitia James and Assembly District leader Robert Cornegy, Jr., also a former player.  

James and Quinn paused to heap praise on coach , the first woman ever to win a PSAL title last year. Now, Lovelace celebrated her second consecutive title and called the moment a "blessing."

"This is something the kids will never forget in their lives. Hopefully this game of basketball will take them to more events like this."

The elected officials echoed the coach's sentiments, dwelling on the positive reverberations that the achievement would have off the court.

Vann pledged that under new principal Bernard Gassaway, Boys & Girls HIgh School would return to academic glory soon.

Montgomery said it was important that leaders in the Bed-Stuy community embrace the young men for their accomplishment, but urged that with great power comes great responsibility.

"We want them to get the message that we expect them to be champions in life as well."

Boys & Girls were 23-8 this season and ranked nationally several times. They also defeated many of the country's top programs in national tournaments throughout the regular season, prompting an invitation from ESPN to play in its eight-team national championship playoff.

The success came despite myriad academic suspensions for violating a new policy implemented by Gassaway. The suspensions threatened to derail the Kangaroos repeat attempt, but it recovered just in time for the crucial playoff stretch.