Road to County Center Likely Tough Road to Hoe for many Locals

By Ray Gallagher, Examiner Sports Editor @Directrays

The New York State Sportwriter’s Association poll came out early last week and the pollsters don’t seem to have much faith in the Examiner-area teams from White Plains to the Dutchess County line. Only Class A BYRAM HILLS, ranked No.7, found its way among the top 25 in any classification (AAA, AA, A, B, C and D). There is still time for local Ex clubs to make some hay among the rankings, but as coaches — and some members of the media — will tell us: Polls mean nothing, effort means everything #KeepOnKeepinOn!

After knocking off state-ranked (No.25) Class AA Poughkeepsie, 61-55, YORKTOWN should find a way to get back in the good graces of state pollsters. As of press time (Monday morning), the bracketology seeds dictate a tough road to hoe toward the Westchester County Center – home of Section 1’s Final 4. As of now, Class AAA No.8 OSSINING and No.12 WHITE PLAINS would be on the road, with a hell of a tough road to hoe to the Mecca of Section 1 hoops.

Class AA is a mixed, interchangeable wonderland of participation, including current No.3 Yorktown, No.4 HORACE GREELEY, No.9 PEEKSKILL, No.11 FOX LANE, No.11 (tie) MAHOPAC, No.16 BREWSTER, No.17 LAKELAND, No.18 PANAS, No.20 CARMEL and No.23 SOMERS all hoping for either a top eight seed and an opening-round home game, and/or the ability to avoid the outbracket round for seeds 12 or less.

Current Class A No.2 seed BYRAM HILLS and Coach Repa’s Bobcats know this season would be a major disappointment should they not reach the County Center, given their history and current talent, despite losing to Class AA Rye, 57-54, last week. No.5-seed WESTLAKE, unnoticed by state pollsters, should get some recognition after the Wildcats handled previously undefeated Rye Neck, which, had played a cupcake schedule enroute to a 9-0 start. We were set to figure out more about Westlake after Tuesday’s bout with state-ranked (No.7) Class B Blind Brook.

No.12 PUTNAM VALLEY, No.14 HEN HUD, No.15 PLEASANTVILLE and No.15 (tie) CROTON-HARMON will all be on the road for the opening round unless they can make some serious hay in the race to a top-eight finish, which Put Valley could given the Tigers’ league schedule (Pawling, North Salem, etc.).

CLASS B BRIARCLIFF, the current No.4 seed, needs to figure out a way to stay at No.4 to avoid a 4/5 quarterfinal matchup on the road, but state-ranked (No.8) Woodlands and (No.7) Blind Brook pose as serious obstacles should the Bears find a route to County Center, which is entirely possible. Defending Class C champion HALDANE was clinging to the eighth seed among the 11 Class B teams while VALHALLA would be No.11 if the playoffs began today.

CLASS A

BYRAM HILLS hosted Tappan Zee Friday night in a battle of state-ranked powers in what turned out to be one of the best games of the season, despite the low-scoring outcome, a 46-38 Bobcat triumph. TZ roared out to a 5-0 start and then 8-3 before a timeout at 3:44 of the first. The Dutchies then took an 11-5 lead into the second quarter after an uneventful start.  TZ went up 17-7 at 6:00 of the second and then 24-15 at the half. It wasn’t much better out of the break for the Bobcats, who were, seemingly, befuddled, by a TZ defense that is heralded throughout Section 1. The Dutchmen took a 30-15 lead at 7:18 of the third before the Bobcats triggered a game-changing 31-8 run.

Byram cut the lead to 33-21 at 4:47 of the third and the run was on. With 31 seconds left in third Byram senior G Chris Amenedo hit both shots from the stripe and cut the deficit to 34-29, which is how it ended heading into the fourth. At 7:24 of the fourth, Byram C Zach Efobi went for an and-1 at 7:24 to make it 34-32. Amenedo, an absolute gamer, popped a 3 at 6:40 for the 35-34 Bobcat lead. Bodies hit the floor at 5:29, dudes colliding and deciding the game for a loose ball. TZ then took a 37-35 lead before the Bobcats called #GAME.

Ben Wolf, a sophomore, hit two at the line to tie it at 37-all. Junior G Max Miller drained a go-ahead bomb from distance for a 40-37 lead the Bobcats would not relinquish at 2:18. The game played out at the charity stripe where Amenedo and Wolf delivered.

“What a game,” Byram Hills Coach Ted Repa exclaimed!  “The boys showed so much heart. It would have been easy to pack it in when we were down like we were, but the team just refused to go down without a fight.

“Zach Efobi willed us back in the game with unreal effort on both ends,” the coach said of his senior forward who went for 13 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks. “Kevin Kendall hit two monster 3s to ignite the surge, Chris Amenedo scored 12 of his game-high 14 in the second half, Max Miller hit a huge 3 to take the lead, Ben Wolf hit a layup and two free throws to help seal it and Ari Dreilinger shook off a sprained ankle and took the biggest charge of the game in the fourth to help stop their momentum. I’m just so proud of these kids, so proud. TZ is an excellent team, and exceptionally well coached. Tonight, we won an amazing high school basketball game.”

Byram Hills also delivered a 63-35 win over the Newburgh Free Academy earlier in the week. Amenedo (21 point, 6 assists), Kevin Kendall (16 points) and monstrous effort from Efobi (13 points, 18 boards, 5 blocks) were featured.

The Bobcats opened the week with a 57-36 win over Harrison in what the coach called “A great defensive second half.”  Amenedo led the way with 26 points and four assists. Kendall (14 points 10 rebounds) went for a double-double and Efobi was Efobi (14 boards, 5 blocks).

Needless to say, Coach Repa has himself yet another title contender, and everybody knows it.

Class A WESTLAKE is on a four-game win streak, including 53-42 victory at Rye Neck where Marcus Jackette went off for a game-high 29 points, including a half-court buzzer-beater at the half. Anthony Marzziotti (11 points) and Anthony Nigrelli (9 points) chipped in bigtime.

The Wildcats also defeated a game but overmatched PUTNAM VALLEY team, 67-53, when Jackette (14 points) and Brayden Lingeza (13 points) did the bulk of the damage to offset what was a career-high 26 points from Put Valley sophomore Logan Moriarty. PV senior James Apostolico (15 points, 10 assists) notched a double-double, and then went for 22 points in a 68-44 romp of CROTON. Big Dylan Tucker added 13 points for the Tigers, who then scrapped out a 60-56 win over visiting Pawling Friday.

Pawling led 28-25 at the half, but Moriarty stroked a 3 and a Zach Gabriel layup gave PV a 30-28 lead at 6:28 of the third. Pawling answered with 7 straight for a 35-30 lead at 6:00, then 37-30. Moriarty went for two, 37-35. Pawling hit for two more, 39-36, before a pair of Apostolico 3’s put PV up 41-39 with 1:57 left in the third. Pawling would not go quietly, taking a 43-41 lead to end the third, which they extended to 45-41 at 7:08 fourth. Apostolico kicked out a pass to Moriarty, who buried a 3 at 6:37, 45-44, before Apostolico drilled another 3 for the lead at 6:13, 47-45.. Unforgivable defense led to a Pawling layup and a 47-all tie at 5:14. Apostolico hit a layup from Moriarty for a 49-47 PV lead at 3:39. Pawling hit a big 3 for a 51-50 lead with 3:19 to go. At 3:08, Apostolico tied it at the line, 51-all. An Apostolico turnover then led to a Pawling hoop and lead, 53-51, with 2:34 left. PV freshman Tesher tied it off a broken play at 2:16 before Moriarty scored off a steal from Tesher for a 55-53 PV lead at 1:57. PV sophomore Jack Marinelli buried a clutch 3 from the corner at 1:12 for a 58-54 lead and the nail in the coffin.

HEN HUD chalked up a 58-42 win over Sleepy Hollow behind Justin Parkes (18 points) and Jack Hiltsley (11).

CLASS AA

YORKTOWN is in it to win it all. The surging Huskers, winners in five of the last six, cracked down on CARMEL, 63-56, when Kaden Gonzalez (25 points, 6 rebounds), Colin Worden (12 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists #HugeGame) and Franklin Ringel (11 points, 5 rebounds) all went off. Carmel was led by junior F King Mercer (18 points).

Yorktown also posted one of its biggest wins of the season, a 61-55 defeat of visiting Poughkeepsie, which could not contain Gonzalez (23 points, 10 boards, 3 assists). Sander Stone(14 points) and Ryan Duffy (6 points, 6 boards) continued to make solid contributions.

Yorktown stormed back from a 13-point third-quarter deficit. Gonzo scored 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter of a huge league win.

The Huskers then went to Massachusetts for the Hoophall Invitational where they went 1-1. Yorktown defeated North Warren, 68-56, when Gonzo delivered 27 points, eight rebounds and four assists. David Marasevic (13 points, 3 rebounds) and Ethan Bantug (7 points, including a 4-point play) were key on the road.

PEEKSKILL rebounded from a loss to Ardsley by taking down neighboring Hen Hud, 68-44, behind All-NYS swingman Jaden Chavis (29 points), Isaiah Crawford (15 points) and Darius Smythe (14 points). The Sailors were led by Nasir Emery (17 points).

HORACE GREELEY bounced back from a concerning 69-50 loss to Clarkstown North, a 5-5 club that took it to the Quakers. Greeley then thumped Port Chester, 75-35, behind a dominating effort from Zach Boyriven (25 points, 6 boards, 5 assists).

BREWSTER repeated last year’s stunning postseason win over MAHOPAC with yet another triumph of the host Wolf Pac, a 44-36 victory. Brewster senior Will Dignan (14 points) paced the Bears. Joell Drue added 10.

LAKELAND took a 58-57 buzzer-beater over SOMERS when Nick Ferrante hit at 3 at the buzzer for the Hornet win, a shot he’ll never forget. Oban Rader (28 points, 10 rebounds) notched a double-double while Mike Lucia added 17 points for the Hornets.

“What an exciting game, both teams battled back and forth and we were lucky enough to come out with the win,” Lakeland Coach Shawn Sullivan said. “I am so happy for Nick! He is our glue guy, doesn’t score a lot of points, but leads us in rebounding and charges taken. He is our best screener and team leader. He will remember that shot the rest of his life.

“Oban was awesome,” Coach Sully exclaimed! “He is quickly becoming one of the top players in the section. He is the force we need inside to become the team we want to be. I am excited to see him excel the second half of the season and into sections.”

Somers was paced by Ben O’Brien (18 points) and Phil Santore (16).

Mike Salaberrios scored 15 points in PANAS’ 59-41 loss to John Jay-Cross River.

CLASS B

Host BRIARCLIFF locked down a 54-31 victory over rival PLEASANTVILLE Friday when the Bears Will Alenstein (8 points, 4 steals) had a breakout game, scoring a runner that put the Bears up 41-20 at the end of the third when #HeCalledGame. Matty Suarez (8 points, 3 assists) also had a game. Luke Lawler (18 points, 10 boards) notched a double-double and  A.J. Alomar added eight points. In the Bears’ 60-53 loss to Blind Brook Xavier Prekelezaj (15 points, 8 rebounds), Lawler (14 points 7 rebounds) and Jason Lawler (11points, 5 assist, 5 steals) all put up numbers.

HALDANE eked out a 50-49 win over North Salem behind Luke Bozsik (19 points),

Zane Del Pozo (12) and Nate Stickle (9). The Blue Devils also scored a 44-36 win over Swampscott at Springfield, MA in the Hoophall Invitational where Del Pozo (15), Bozsik (12) each went for double figures.

“Our bench brought great energy and our defensive effort was amazing,” Haldane Coach Joe Virgadamo said.

CLASS AAA

OSSINING had itself a strong week with wins over Arlington (60-55), Lincoln (63-30) and a wire-to-wire stunner over visiting FOX LANE (72-59) Friday.

Donte Couch (21 points, 7 boards, 5 assists, 5 blocks) ruled the day against Arlington. Donte Williams (12 points, 6 assists) and Kris Singh (11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) had their way.

Ossining ended the week hosting Fox Lane Friday afternoon. The Pride got out to a 7-2 lead over Fox Lane, including a dunk by Acalan Fauntleroy, before Fox Coach Mike Tomassi called a time out. An Arthur Shevick 3 slowed the Pride down, but Ossining led 17-11 at the end of the first.

Ossining then went up 24-15 and then 27-15 at 6:11 of the second. Back to back 3’s Couch made it 30-15. Shevick’s 3 cut it to 37-30 at 1:00 of the second and the half finished with the Pride in command 40-30. Couch again at 5:30 of the third made it 46-31 and the Pride were well on their way.

WHITE PLAINS had its biggest moment Wednesday in an otherwise down year by the Tigers’ lofty standards. When junior forward R.J. Marcano nailed a buzzer-beating 3 from the far corner off a choice baseline assist from Justin Boateng, the Tigers concluded a rally to knock off visiting FOX LANE, 58-57, touching off a mad-cap celebration.

“It was a great shot and should be great for his confidence,” venerable White Plains Coach Spencer Mayfield said of Marcano, who finished with 20 points and nine assists. Bryce Thomas (14 points), Nathan Plummer (9 points, 12 boards) and Davin Plummer (8 points, 8 boards) played primary roles in the Tigers’ biggest win of the season.

Despite the loss, the Foxes put up some impressive numbers, including Arthur Shevick (17 points, 3 assists, 5 rebounds), Logan Mammola (16 points, 1 assist, 4 rebounds), Evan Mayers (13 points, 1 assist, 4 rebounds), Eli Daglio (4 points, 7 assists, 2 rebs) and Owen Baker (4 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds).

Fox Lane finished the week in bounce-back fashion, taking a 48-43 win over John Jay behind Shevick (17 points, 5 rebounds), Logan Mammola (7 points, 8 rebounds), Evan Mayers (4 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, 3 steals) and Eli Daglio (7 points, 3 assists, 6 rebounds).

 

Examiner-Area Top 10 Hoops Poll

(No offense intended, useless polls just make for good reading)

No.1 BYRAM HILLS – State-ranked (No.7) Class A Bobcats (11-2) proved they can run with anyone in the section, if not NYS, when they dug deep to beat TZ.

No.2 GREELEY – Class AA Quakers (9-3) suffered a concerning 19-point loss to Clarkstown North, which indicates there’s still work to be done.

No.3 YORKTOWN – Class AA Huskers (8-3) will take a deep dive into a challenging league schedule in days ahead, but beating Poughkeepsie is a sign these Huskers are legit.

No.4 OSSINING – After getting smoked by Mamaroneck, an athletic Class AAA Pride (6-6) club have won 3 in a row, including impressive triumphs of Arlington and Fox Lane.

No.5 PEEKSKILL – Class AA Red Devils (7-5) lost to Class A Ardsley (5-7), so, yeah, we’re concerned.

No.6 FOX LANE – Class AA Foxes (6-6) have hit a rough patch, finally snapping a 4-game skid as they head into a rivalry bout with Greeley Friday night.

No.7 WESTLAKE – Class A Wildcats (8-2) are on some kind of roll, including wins over PV, Rye Neck and Class B state-ranked (No.7) Blind Brook.

No.8 BRIARCLIFF – Class B Bears (6-4) have wins in 3 of last 4 but this Westlake matchup Thursday will tell quite a tale.

No.9 BREWSTER – Class AA Bears (5-6) caught our attention with 3-game winning streak, including PV and Mahopac, but Poughkeepsie, Carmel and RCK will determine if they can hang.

No.10 MAHOPAC – Class AA Wolf Pac (5-5) stopped the bleeding in Saturday’s 63-33 win over Valhalla, but the loss of young and budding point guard Justin Beberman is costly in terms of development.

HM WHITE PLAINS – Class AAA Tigers (3-8) upset Fox Lane, which caught everyone’s attention.

HM CARMEL – Class AA Rams (4-8) have officially thrown me off the bandwagon after latest 3-game skid.

HM LAKELAND – Class AA Hornets (4-5) just can’t string together a solid run.

HM PUTNAM VALLEY –  Class A Tigers (6-7) would do well to win a league title and then an opening-round playoff game, which won’t be easy.

HM HALDANE – Reigning Section 1 Class C champion Blue Devils (5-4) will now take aim at Put Valley and defending its league title.

Other Honorable Mentions – Pleasantville (2-8, cracking 40 points has been tough), Croton (3-8, defense is an issue), Valhalla (1-8, been a rough go), Panas (4-8, losses in 5 of last 6), Somers (2-9, 4-game skid with Byram on tap) and Hen Hud (3-8, Ardsley, Rye, Edgemont tough stretch upcoming).

 

ANDY JACOBS/DAVID TABER/CHRIS SMAJLAJ PHOTOS