Pleasantville, Panas Rock County Center at Slam Dunk Showcase

By Tony Pinciaro @Finch63

Meghan Raefski was going to make sure this trip to the Westchester County Center would result in a PLEASANTVILLE victory. The senior did not want a replay of the Panthers’ last game at the County Center – February, 2024 – a heart-breaking, buzzer-beating loss to Westlake in a Section 1 Class B semifinal.

So, when Raefski stepped to the free-throw line with approximately 12 seconds on the clock and her team leading Tuckahoe by one point in a Slam-Dunk Showcase game, she took a deep breath.

“I was a little nervous, but it was just like I’ve been practicing them since I was in kindergarten,” said the four-year varsity starter. “They were just another two free throws and I needed to be as composed and as calm as I could be so I could knock them both down.”

Raefski did just that and the Panthers opened the Slam Dunk weekend with a 62-56 victory over Tuckahoe.

Raefski, who finished with 12 points, was set up for the free throws by her younger sister, Emily, a freshman.

“She had a breakaway layup, but she pulled the ball out and passed it to me,” Raefski said. “That was a really high IQ play and show’s Emily’s court awareness. We didn’t need a basket there, instead we wanted to use as much time as possible. I’m super proud of her.”

The final 16 minutes was a back-and-forth battle as Pleasantville gained its footing offensively, fueled by its defense.

“In the second half our shots started to fall and coach gave us motivation and told us to keep fighting,” said Raefski of first-year Coach Dan McGann. “All 11 of our players worked together on both sides of the court and our defense pulled us back into the game.”

McGann was quick to point out that his players were outstanding.

“First and foremost, I’m really proud of the effort and resilience the team showed against Tuckahoe,” he said. “It wasn’t easy, but the girls stayed focused, kept fighting and believed in each other. All of the credit goes to the players for executing down the stretch and staying composed when it mattered most. Of course, it’s never just one person. It’s a total team effort.”

Slam Dunk MVP Lexi Tomaselli led the Panthers with 17 points and freshman Maddie Becerra added 16 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and six steals.

Returning to the County Center was something Raefski and her teammates were hoping for, albeit it February. However, when the team received its 2024-25 schedule the Tuckahoe game was immediately noticed.

“Playing at the County Center is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Raefski said. “To be invited back was super exciting. And being the only senior on the team playing with the younger girls means a lot. Also, as a senior, I don’t want this to be the last time playing at the County Center. This gives us motivation to get back here in February come sectional time.”

One week after PANAS managed a six-point victory over Ursuline at the Albertus Magnus Tournament, the teams met up again eight days later. This time, the state-ranked (No.3) Panthers had an easier go of it as they dispatched the Koalas, 61-46, for their ninth win in 10 games.

Panas senior Sofia Tavarez poured in a game-high 29 points, Cadence Nicholas added 15 and Katie Hofmann contributed nine points. Panas was prepared for Ursuline’s adjustments off the previous game.

“We made a couple of minor adjustments off the first win to figure out a way to make the game simpler and not put so much pressure on us in their tough defensive press,” Tavarez said. “I believe that these minor tweaks by our great coaches led us to the win.”

Another difference from the previous game was Panas’ defensive intensity.

“We were pleased with how we contained them in the half court,” Nicholas said. “Our defense was efficient and forced them to take shots they didn’t want to take.

“Ursuline has a lot of talent on their teams so we knew we had to do the little things like getting steals, offensive rebounds and getting them in foul trouble.”

Panas will play Byram Hills (Jan. 8) and Roosevelt (Jan. 10) this week.

MAHOPAC opened the new calendar year with an impressive 51-37 victory over a hot Fox Lane club. The Wolf Pac defense held the Foxes scoreless for the final 5:30.

“Our girls held their composure throughout the entire game as Fox Lane kept making runs to come back throughout the game and even had taken a three-point lead, for the first time, in the fourth quarter, but our defensive intensity down the stretch was the difference-maker,” said rookie Mahopac Coach Jason Conklin.

Senior F Caily Salon had a double-double – 21 points and 10 rebounds – and Giana Puckhaber finished with 10 points and five rebounds. Mady Ford added nine points, four rebounds and four assists in a well-rounded effort.

Even though Mahopac closed December with a loss to undefeated Rye in the Mahopac Holiday Tournament Championship game, Conklin said his team used the break to its advantage.

“Practice over break is always very different, but we talked about Fox Lane and we were able to watch film to know what we needed to do against them,” he said.

Mahopac was set to play at Yorktown, Monday, in a pivotal game.

CROTON overcame a rough first quarter to easily handle Dobbs Ferry, 58-42, improving to 5-1 this season. The Tigers trailed, 17-14, after the first quarter, but only allowed 25 points the remainder of the game, including just two in the second quarter.

“As the game went on, we made good decisions with our shot selection and the communication got better on defense,” Croton Coach Don Lucas said. “I was happy with the way the girls played coming off the holiday break, but we still have some areas that we need to improve on.”

Ava Andrews and Julia Junkovic each scored a game-high 18 points and Addison Caputo netted eight points. Croton has a tough game Tuesday, at Irvington.

BREWSTER split a pair of games – beating fellow Putnam-County rival Carmel (62-37) before a loss to Scarsdale (50-36).

“We did a good job of forcing turnovers and converting on some easy looks against Carmel,” Brewster Coach Mike Castlado said, “It was a good team win where everyone contributed.

“Against Scarsdale, it was disappointing because we progressively got worse as the game went on. We started off great and were up nine after the first and we were up 24-17 at the half. Going into the fourth quarter we were down, 27-26, so the game was right there for us. Unfortunately, Scarsdale made more plays, took care of the ball and made their free throws.

“This was a tough one because we did not do the little things. We were not diving on the floor, not playing fundamental defense and we were not getting back. They were beating us in every hustle category and when it mattered most, they made their shots.”

HORACE GREELEY won for the third time in four games with a victory over Carmel as Georgia Sach scored a game-high 20 points. Allie Mosco added 10 points and Caroline Negrin contributed eight points. Kylie Murphy led CARMEL with 11 points.

The Quakers will host Brewster Tuesday.

FOX LANE experienced a cold spell in the fourth quarter and Mahopac capitalized on that for a 51-37 victory, handing the Foxes only their second loss in seven games this season.

“We did not play our best against a tough Mahopac team who dominated us inside,” Fox Lane Coach Kris Matts said. “We were also called for twice as many fouls and shot four free throws to their 20.

“All that being said, we went ahead in the fourth quarter with about three and half minutes remaining. After that, we took some bad shots, made none of them and Mahopac made all of their shots and free throws.

“The scoreline certainly does not reflect how close the game was. But, the bottom line is, we did not defend well enough and we didn’t take advantage of our opportunities to win the game. Hopefully, this will be a game that makes us stronger as a team.”

Morgan Clinton led the Foxes with 11 points and Riley New added nine points.

Fox Lane played Carmel, Monday, and will host Yorktown, Friday.

Ardsley outscored OSSINING by 13 points in the second quarter and that proved to be the difference in a 59-48 loss to the Panthers in a Slam Dunk Showcase at the Westchester County Center.

Claire Schnecker led the Pride with 20 points and eight rebounds and Saniya Bell added 18 points, five rebounds and three steals.

The Pride have a busy week ahead. Ossining plays North Rockland, Tuesday, Clarkstown South, Thursday, and Mamaroneck, Saturday.

 

ANDY JACOBS/DAVID TABER PHOTOS