Woodlands Beats White Plains in Harry Jefferson Showcase

White Plains Head Coach Spencer Mayfield invited nine teams to compete in the 21st Annual Harry Jefferson Showcase, at White Plains High School, on Saturday, Dec. 13.

The Tigers basketball program for the past 21 years has paid tribute to retired Assistant Principal Harry Jefferson, who was an educator, coach, mentor, as well as, spiritual and moral guide to thousands of students during his 37 years on the staff of White Plains High School.

Jefferson, a native of White Plains, was also an outstanding athlete having participated on the Tigers varsity football and track teams, before graduating in 1953. During his high school career, Jefferson was awarded, All-County, All-Conference and All Metropolitan honors. He was also selected to the National High School All-American Football Team.

As a Coach at WPHS, Jefferson won the 1965 Coach of the Year Award, after winning the Section 1 Basketball Championship, during the 1965-‘66 season. He attended University of Illinois and was voted to the All Big-Ten and All-American Teams in 1955. “I just feel blessed to be here at my age, it brings back fond memories. I am a Tiger and the spirit is still alive,” said Jefferson, who was 80 years old this year.

Harrison High School defeated Tuckahoe High School, 76-40, in the first game of the Jefferson Showcase. Senior guard Justin Stagg won the Most Valuable Player of the Game Award, while scoring 19 points for the Huskies.

In the second game, Spring Valley High School displayed their superiority by trouncing Roosevelt High School, 93-47. Senior standout Rickey McGill scored 29 points and was selected as the Player of the Game. McGill’s teammate senior forward Kai Mitchell was a close second for the award by scoring 17 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and dishing seven assists in the game.

The neighboring Tigers from Mamaroneck High School were defeated, 55-44, by Yorktown High School in the third game on the slate in the Harry Jefferson Showcase. Huskers senior forward Mason Dyslin was awarded the Player of the Game for scoring 21 points in the win.

Photo by Lonnie Webb Photography.

Mamaroneck was plagued with foul trouble throughout the game and at one point in the third quarter had four starters sitting with foul trouble. “We cannot win with our best players on the bench. We have to learn how to play without fouling,” commented Tigers Head Coach Tyrone Carver, Jr. in his 10th season at the helm.

In the main event of the Showcase, host White Plains was challenged by Woodlands High School, last season’s Section 1 Class B and Regional Champions.

White Plains (1-1) won their Home Opener, against Suffern High School, 86-63, on Tuesday, Dec. 9. However, Woodlands (3-1) lost a heartbreaker in their previous game, losing to Eastchester High School, 56-55, in the Eastchester Holiday Tournament, on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Woodlands Head Coach Robert Murphy was determined to get his team back on track after losing the close game to Eastchester. The Falcons did just that with a convincing, 72-53, win over the Tigers. “It was not about a convincing win, more so about getting back on track doing the little things that we do well,” commented Murphy. “I did not want to get into a situation where we had two loses back-to-back,” said the Woodlands Head Coach.

The Falcons controlled the game after the first quarter, while leading by 15 points at the half and 18 points at the end of the third quarter. Woodlands went ahead by as much as 24 points late in the fourth quarter, to win by 19 points.

The Falcons were led by senior forward Jamil Gambari, who lit the scoreboard with 27 points. Gambari’s Section 1 and Regional Champion teammates from last year, seniors Brandon Johnson and Pierre Lys added 17 points and 12 points respectively in the win.

It was Gambari’s first time playing in the Harry Jefferson Tournament and he took home the Most Valuable Player of the Game Award. “The tournament is great. I love the crowd and I like the feel. I also like playing away to be able to shut the crowd down,” stated Gambari, smiling, after the game.

Mayfield’s Tigers were led by junior guard Louis Cartagena with 13 points and Robert Walker with 12 points. Walker received the Sportsmanship Award for the game.

“Woodlands played very well. They beat us to all the loose balls and they were more aggressive. They were the better team today,” said Mayfield.

Iona Prep beat Saunders High School, 80-64, in the nightcap of the Showcase. Junior guard Ty Jerome presented the Player of the Game Award, while scoring 27 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Senior forward Matt Ryan had 15 points and 10 assists for the Gaels. Junior guard Derrick Fielder had 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Blue Devils.