Batman and Robin defend Bronx for JFK

JFK’s Jeffrey Short collects a rebound. (Damion Reid)

Batman and Robin have brought order to The Bronx – for the JFK Knights.

John F. Kennedy’s Jeffrey Short and Nauqan Pierce, nicknamed after the caped crusader and his trusty sidekick by assistant coach Star Jones, ensured the Knights at least a share of the Bronx AA crown, combining for 66 points in Thursday night’s 83-73 victory over Wings Academy.

“I’ve had three guards that are better, but not at the same time,” longtime JFK coach Johnny Mathis said.

Despite a badly bruised right shin he injured a week ago, the 5-foot-9 Pierce scored 38 points, had eight steals and eight assists. Short, meanwhile, added 26 points and 14 rebounds and had the game’s two biggest baskets, a pair of jump shots to snap a 62-all tie early in the fourth quarter.

“We think we’re the best backcourt in the city,” Short said. “We have a lot of confidence. It’s gonna be hard to beat us.”

Pierce started the evening off with a bang by drilling consecutive 3-pointers. He had 23 points by halftime, added a 4-point play in the third quarter and made 12-of-19 shots overall. He scored in transition and made off-balanced shots in half-quarters sets. He left defenders in his wake with quick crossovers and hesitation moves – all this at less than 100 percent.

“When Naquan hit the first shot and then hit the second, I knew they were in for a long day,” Mathis said. “Naquan can do everything. He can shoot, he can pass, he can legitimately play great defense, and he can rebound a little. … He just decided to take over.”

After falling behind by 19 points, the Wings made a valiant comeback. They held Pierce and Short to just five points in the third quarter by double-teaming and trapping the two on every touch, and got even on Krystian Foriest’s layup, capping a 12-0 run. Jordan Aaron led Wings (17-4, 14-3 Bronx AA) with 30 points.

The duo didn’t stay down for long. Short snapped the tie with a step-back jumper from the top of the key, added a pull-up from the left elbow and Pierce followed with a driving left-handed scoop for two. The two scored 18 of JFK’s 20 points in the fourth quarter, moving the Knights (19-2, 15-1) ever closer to the Bronx AA crown.

“When I’m on the court with those two, I’m always confident,” said forward Badih McQueen, who had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Pierce answered every Wings run in the final few minutes. When the lead was trimmed to five, he hit two free throws. After consecutive Aaron buckets cut it to four with 1:06 left, he hit another free throw, stripped Aaron and dropped in a pretty reverse layup.

“Naquan,” Jones said, “was definitely Batman today.”

A win Friday against FDA would clinch Kennedy’s third straight outright title. After graduating three starters and losing Pierce for seven games, it is a significant accomplishment for Mathis’ club. Not that they don’t have loftier goals in mind.

“It’s almost like we’re already going to go to the Garden,” McQueen said. “This is our year.”

zbraziller@nypost.com

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