They were the coaches who could make you or break you, demanding legends of the 1980s and 1990s who controlled a launchpad from New York City’s streets to college and the pros that catapulted future stars like Ron Artest and Kenny Anderson.

But in recent weeks, several coaches from that era, including Ernest Lorch of the Riverside Hawks, one of the city’s best club basketball teams, have been named in lawsuits against institutions with which they were affiliated, accusing them of preying upon their underage players.

The accusations are coming to light now or being revived because of new laws allowing victims to sue adults who abused them years ago.

More than 1,000 cases have been filed in New York, against individuals and institutions like the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts of America and school districts, with at least 60 of the lawsuits accusing sports coaches of predatory behavior. Lawyers say dozens more are being drafted involving coaches.