NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - For the first time since 2018, North Salem’s boys basketball team can call themselves section champions.
The Tigers raised the golden ball at the Westchester County Center on Saturday, March 7, instantly erasing memories of coming up short in the title game a year ago.
The win was all the sweeter as it came against rival Tuckahoe, the squad that dashed their playoff dreams last season.
But the road to the section crown wouldn’t be easy.
Top-seeded Tuckahoe came out swinging and took control in the early stages of the highly-physical Tiger tussle, carrying a 24-17 lead into half.
With their backs against the wall and the season on the line, Coach Chris Brandt rallied the squad at halftime.
“I questioned how badly they wanted the section title,” Brandt explained. “I told them that Tuckahoe wanted it more, and we only had 16 minutes to save our season.”
North Salem emerged with renewed energy and quickly shifted the momentum, taking the fight to Tuckahoe and jumping out to a 44-35 lead at the close of the third frame.
The Tigers kept their foot on the gas in the fourth quarter, answering their rivals at every turn and denying Tuckahoe a chance to rally. As time expired, North Salem cruised to a 55-44 win.
Bryce Bryant (20 points, 10 rebounds), Max Cotrone (13 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists) Jameson Juan (7 points, 2 rebounds), Lucas Virzi (7 points, 5 rebounds), and Andrew DeLarco (6 points, 7 rebonds) all pitched in to turn the tide and help the Tigers advance to the regional quarterfinals.
Afterward, it was hugs and handshakes all around as the squad hoisted the coveted sectional championship trophy in their first season under their new head coach.
Cotrone was named to the All-Tournament Team, with Bryant being named Tournament MVP.
North Salem is now set to face Pierson High School on Saturday, March 14, at 2 p.m. at Longwood High School.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here