Mayfield Ends 20th Season with a Loss to Mt. Vernon in the First Round of Playoffs

While not taking anything away from other area high schools’ basketball coaching staffs, one must admit that the City of White Plains has some great leaders in their basketball coaching ranks.

Yes, Mamaroneck High School has 2011-12 Conference 2 Coach of the Year Tyrone Carver, who is also an ordained Minister. Furthermore, the Irvington High School women are led by Hall of Fame Coach Gina Maher, while Sleepy Hollow has the former Tigers assistant coach Rob Rizzo at the helm. Not to forget that Woodlands High School has a winner in Head Coach Bob Murphy and the Alexander Hamilton High School women are coached by the always-contending Benjamin Carter.

Although, White Plains High School Women’s Head Coach Liz Flooks struggled with a 1-15 record this season, her experience playing college and high school basketball combined with her never give-up attitude, leaves promise for improvement in the near future for the Lady Tigers.

One of Liz Flooks’ Lady Tigers players is Shannon Lynch, the daughter of Good Council Academy Head Coach Maura Lynch, who is another accomplished basketball coach in White Plains.

Then of course, on Mamaroneck Avenue, is Head Basketball Coach Tim Philp, who is completing his ninth-year coaching varsity at Stepinac High School. Philp was crowned the 2012-13, Catholic High School Athletic Association – AA Coach of the Year on Saturday.

Philp led the Crusaders to an 18-6 overall record and a 12-6 mark in the fiercely competitive CHSAA AA this season. Philp was also honored as CHSAA A Coach of the Year in 2010.

However, in the City of White Plains, it cannot be denied that the name Spencer Mayfield is synonymous with high school basketball. Mayfield has tenured as the Head Coach of the White Plains Men’s Basketball for 20 years.

Despite the fact that Mayfield could not get his Tigers past rival Mt. Vernon High School in the first round of the Section 1 AA Playoffs; he does have two New York State Championships (1994 and 1999), seven League Championships, and two Section 1 Titles to his credit.

The Tigers were defeated by the Knights, 79-50, in Mt. Vernon, on Friday, Feb. 15. It was a competitive game for three quarters with the Tigers coming from 20 points behind in the second quarter to end the half only losing by 10 points, 35-25.

However, with the Tigers two post players, center Nate Hudson and forward Robert Lorden fouling out in the third quarter, the Knights dominated under the basket in the fourth quarter. “No we could not play with them (Mt. Vernon) without our two post players,” commented Mayfield.

Tigers junior Mike DeMello scored 16 points, junior forward Rexler Noel had 10 points and junior forward Justin Tapper added nine points in the game. The bright spot for Mayfield is that the three aforementioned juniors will return next season. “I feel bad for the seniors, they gave their best effort. For the juniors and sophomores on the team, we have to come out next year and try to win a championship,” stated Tapper.

But Mayfield’s legacy at White Plains High School is more than about wins, losses and championships. During his 20 years as a Head Coach and Physical Education Instructor at WPHS, Mayfield’s main contribution has been preparing student/athletes for life’s future challenges.

“Spencer Mayfield has been an excellent example for the student/athletes at White Plains High School,” said Nick Panaro, the present Interim Athletic Director and former A.D. at WPHS. “Spencer’s values and standards make him a well respected individual and coach,” acknowledged Panaro, who has also worked as a teacher/coach for 33 years at WPHS.

“Coach Mayfield has had a tremendous 20-year career,” complimented Assistant Coach Ed Sands, who has spent seven years on the bench with Mayfield. “He is a true motivator of young men and not just on the court but far more importantly off the court,” expressed Sands.

Skip Stevens is the Head Football Coach at WPHS, who has worked in the White Plains School District for 21 years. “Spencer works tirelessly, he knows his sport and he understands his craft. I have enjoyed working with him,” stated Stevens.

“One of the reasons, I came to White Plains High School was to work with Spencer,” added Michael Mirabella, the Athletic Trainer at WPHS for 10 years.

Therefore, with 10 days remaining in Black History Month, maybe as we look locally to pay tribute to those African-Americans who have contributed positively to the education and foundation of student/athletes in the City of White Plains, maybe Mayfield deserves recognition.

“This is a big city and we have high expectations. These student/athletes are in their classes, many of them are scholar athletes, you cannot get better then Spencer Mayfield,” declared first year WPHS Principal Ellen Doherty.

In 2009, Mayfield was honored with the prestigious Frank McGuire Award at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan, for his ongoing special relationship with student/athletes.