Peekskill Awaiting Statement Win, Byram Stumbles at Slam Dunk Showcase
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
By Ray Gallagher, Examiner Sports Editor @Directrays
When examining the local Ex-area landscape, several things have stood out as we enter into the new year with a good chunk of the season in our rear view mirror.
Perhaps most notable is the early-season kinks in the armor of reigning Section 1 Class AA champion PEEKSKILL, which has looked very sluggish coming out of the gate with a lackluster 3-4 start. Everywhere we go, people wanna know: What’s the deal with Peekskill? Will they live up to the hype?
While the schedule has featured some very formidable foes, including Class AA and B favorites – Tappan Zee and Woodlands, respectively – the Red Devils have, seemingly, lacked that killer instinct that drove them, a year ago, to their first sectional title since 2009 when they won sectional six crowns in eight years (2002-09) and were regulars at Glens Falls (home of the NYS Final 4).
There are several behind-the-scenes factors in play, including a team-wide illness, the loss of F Maquette Webster (fractured foot) and general fitness.
“We are not playing well and are not in proper shape right now,” Peekskill Coach Tyrone Searight admitted.
That said, the Red Devils were back in the gym on Sunday after letting Woodlands get away from them in the 66-57 loss at the Slam Dunk Showcase at the County Center Friday. After All-NYS G Jaden Chavis tied the game at 46-all with two at the line at 6:09 of the fourth, the Red Devils were looking like the team we expected, but it all unraveled in the fourth when defensive lapses permitted the Falcons to close on a 20-11 run, including an 11-6 run over the final 4:10.
Harrison was up next on the docket (Monday) and the Huskies will surely test the Red Devils once again, but if Peekskill expects to plant its proverbial flag at the County Center in early March it is going to have to start making things happen in a hurry.
One thing we’re not too worried about in this particular notebook is the 57-41 loss Class A BYRAM HILLS suffered at the hands of AAA heavyweight Scarsdale in Saturday’s Slam Dunk Showcase action at the County Center.
“Scarsdale is good, though not that unbeatable,” Byram boss Ted Repa said. “I was more concerned with how we played; a little disjointed, not enough passing on offense, though we were without starting point guard Max Miller, who sprained ankle in the last practice before the game. We’re not sure that contributed to all the struggles, but it definitely didn’t help our offensive flow.
“And then defensively, we were pretty good, but gave up too many offensive rebounds, and transition buckets due to too many turnovers,” the coach added. “Hopefully, this is a good thing in the long term, but we have to make sure we learn from the mistakes. Sussberg was tough – made a bunch of mid-range, well contested shots after great defensive possessions for us, which were very demoralizing, but then we compounded that frustration by forcing things on the next possession, rather than work together.”
Again, not too worried. Byram is well-rounded, legit and on a mission.
YORKTOWN suffered its first two losses of the season out of the break, doing so against a very balanced and fairly deep HORACE GREELEY outfit, 65-59, and Clarkstown South, 58-52. Greeley is better than most folks anticipated, and FOX LANE is right there stride for stride after taking out MAHOPAC, 47-30.
Greeley F Jake Sheehy (21 points, 13 boards), G Zach Boyriven (20 points, 6 assists) and Alex Horowitz (15 points) provided a three-deep attack that Yorktown’s Kaden Gonzalez (20 points, 7 rebounds), Sander Stone (12 points) and Aidan Flynn (11 points, 7 boards) could not match. Gonzalez (22 points, 10 rebounds) and Stone (9 points, 5 rebounds) were solid in the loss to South.
Foxes Arthur Shevick (16 points, 7 assists 7 rebounds), who had his way with Mahopac, was joined by Logan Mammola (9 points, 5 rebounds), Will Oliverio (6 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds) and Janak Bain (7 points, 19 caroms). Junior point forward Matt Rielly led Mahopac with 15 points.
A struggling WALTER PANAS club got a glimpse of Dobbs Ferry star Anthony Ficarrotta (35 points, 12 boards) in the Panthers’ 76-35 drubbing by the Eagles, a likely Class B finalist.
SOMERS was paced by Philip Santore (16 points) and Chris Decker (13) in the Tuskers’ 55-52 win over Saunders.
CLASS A
PUTNAM VALLEY senior G James Apostolico dropped 20 points in an otherwise sloppy 57-40 home loss to Irvington, which led by three at the 7-minute mark of the third, which is when the Tigers made some careless/costly mistakes down the stretch.
CLASS B
BRIARCLIFF G Luke Lawlor had his way in a 78-51 win over CROTON, which saw Lawler go for a season-high 32 points and 11 rebounds. Forward Xavier Prekelezaj (14 points, 11 rebounds) provided the Bears a nifty sidekick. Vin Flynn (21 points) and Gavin Dugan (19) did the majority of Croton’s scoring.
VALHALLA got back in the win column in a 49-46 home-opening win over Pawling behind 11 points from Tyler Ratti.
Examiner-area coaches are encouraged to tag @Directrays on X or Instagram or email raygallaghersports@gmail.com with results and comments after each game for inclusion in our weekly notebook.
Examiner-Area Top 10 Hoops Poll
(No offense intended, useless polls just make for good reading)
No.1 BYRAM HILLS – State-ranked (No.4) Class A Bobcats hit a small speed bump in a 57-41 loss to Class AAA heavyweight Scarsdale.
No.2 GREELEY – Class AA Quakers (5-2) are blessed with unselfish grunts like Jake Sheehy (21 points, 13 rebounds), Zach Boyriven (20 points, 6 assists), Alex Horowitz (15 points) and many more, which was evident in the resounding win over Yorktown.
No.3 FOX LANE – When we spotted Class AA Foxes (5-2) Coach Mike Tomassi and several players in attendance at Mahopac tourney over the holidays, they must’ve saw something that enabled them to get out to a 15-0 start to bury the Wolf Pac from jump street. Circle up Jan.24 on your calendars #VsGreeley.
No.4 YORKTOWN – Class AA state-ranked (No.9) Huskers will surely get dumped from the state rankings after consecutive road losses to Clarkstown South and Greeley, but help is on the way in the form of injured junior F Ryan Duffy.
No.5 PEEKSKILL – Class AA Red Devils – no longer ranked by state pollsters – are flirting with disaster (#GoogleMollyHatchet) if they can’t rediscover what they were just nine months ago when they discarded some 15 years of also-ran status to plant their flag at County Center for first time since 2009.
No.6 MAHOPAC – Class AA Wolf Pac (4-3) are still tinkering with who and what they are but losses to Fox Lane and Greeley have indicated this current unit is a year out from serious contention, while the entire MCSD – from the head on down – is a year or so away from an unavoidable abyss should it continue go unchecked #ThereISaidIt #DealWithIt.
No.7 WESTLAKE – Class B Wildcats (4-1), who are perhaps the most well rested club in the section (no games since 12/18), best be ready to come out the shoot with Irvington and Put Valley on tap.
No.8 BRIARCLIFF – With wins in three of the last four, there are rumors that the HM state-ranked Class B Bears (4-3) are challengers within the upper crust – among the the Blind Brooks, Woodlands, Dobbs Ferrys, etc.) but we shall know for sure this week with Haldane and state-ranked (No.8) Blind Brook on tap. We will know much more about the Bears within a week or so, but history tells us the Cliffy’s are legit #WeShallSee.
No.9 OSSINING – Class AAA Pride (2-4) are a vexing unit for now and the recent loss to RCK didn’t clear up a thing, though upcoming games against New Ro’, Mamo’ and Arlington will provide a clear and present danger and tell us all we need to know. That is one tough stretch.
No.10 WHITE PLAINS – Class AAA Tigers (2-4) have had a rough start, and we knew they would have an adjustment period when studly Nick Triolo transferred to Greenwich, but the recent thrashing at the hands of New Ro’ tells us the Tigers are in a serious rebuild and the league slate, featuring Greeley, Fox Lane and Ossining, will be a pain in the rear.
HM PUTNAM VALLEY – Class A Tigers (3-4) were admittedly sloppy as hell in their 57-40 setback at the hands of Irvington, but y’all gotta be ready when push comes to shove, which ya weren’t in that second half against the Bulldogs, which tells us that reaching a Final 4 is, well, not realistic at this point in time.
HM CARMEL – Staked my own personal rep on the Class AA Rams (2-4) in previous polls and we have been let down to this point #CmonMan! #ReachYourPotential.
HM HALDANE – Coach V will have the reigning Class C champion Blue Devils (3-1) ready to challenge the whole lot in their initial foray into Class B come late Feb. Recent 59-54 win over Chester featured Nate Stickle (16 points), Ryder Griffin (13), Luke Bozsik (13), Zane Del Pozo (10) and Fallou Faye (7) in a very balanced attack.
Other Honorable Mentions – Pleasantville (1-4), Croton (1-5), Valhalla (1-2), Lakeland (2-4), Panas (3-5), Brewster (2-4), Somers (2-5) and Hen Hud (1-6) are still trying to gain solid footing, but there’s no doubt they will be impactful as we move forward with winnable league games upcoming #StepUpY’all.
ANDY JACOBS/DAVID TABER/CHRIS SMAJLAJ PHOTOS
Ray has 33 years experience covering and photographing local sports in Westchester and Putnam counties, including everything from Little League/Travel Baseball to varsity high school prep sports and collegiate coverage. He has been a sports editor at Examiner Media since its inception in 2007.
Visit Ray’s author bio page for more details. Also read Ray’s archived work here and his Direct Rays column here.
