Morhardt leads Huskers to County Center

Yorktown senior guard Connor Morhardt helped lead the Huskers’ boys basketball team to its fourth consecutive postseason appearance at the Westchester County Center this winter.

His team-high 28 points in a 59-55 overtime win against No. 7 Mahopac in the Section 1 Class AA quarterfinals earned No. 2 Yorktown its County Center berth. The win marked the Huskers’ 35th consecutive home victory, a streak that dates back to December 2023.

Morhardt, who was named All-Section and All-League, led the Huskers in scoring by averaging 18 points and five rebounds per game.

Yorktown, which finished 20-3, also won its third straight league title under Coach Mark Pavella.

Before playing at Yorktown this year, Morhardt attended Iona Prep for three seasons. He played one year of varsity basketball as a junior, competed on the junior varsity team his sophomore year and played on the freshmen team as a ninth-grader.

Morhardt also played three seasons of lacrosse at Iona Prep, appearing at the varsity level as a junior and on the JV team as a sophomore and freshman.

Unfortunately, he will not play for the Huskers’ lacrosse team this spring.

“Sadly, I’m not,” Morhardt said. “I’m actually in the process of rehabbing my ankle which I sprained and it hasn’t fully healed from the basketball season. I would’ve loved to play for coach [Tim] Schurr and the team, but it’s important that I get my ankle back to full strength. I’ll be cheering in the stands especially since my brother Owen will be playing JV this year.”

Why did you transfer from Iona Prep to Yorktown, and how do you feel about that decision in hindsight? Transferring back was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. My time at Iona was special and I have such great friends there.

It really came down to what was going to be best for me academically and for basketball. It was a hard decision but it was the right one.

How old were you when you started playing basketball, and what got you started? For as long as I could remember, I always loved basketball. I started playing organized basketball at 6 years old at a Shrub Oak basketball clinic with my fellow teammate and friend Tommy Carney.

I was not very good, but I loved it.

What was your favorite part of being on the Yorktown boys basketball team? The chemistry and camaraderie with everyone, teammates and coaches.

What’s your favorite team activity or pre- or post-game ritual? My favorite post-game ritual/team activity this year was after every game a player was given the Lion Award, which was given to the person who exemplified the most effort, hustle, heart and grit out on the court.

Who are your role models? My mom and dad.

My mom is the most hardworking, smart, kind, caring and empathetic person I know. She always has a smile on her face, always comforts me after bad games, good games, always has my back and is always brightening my day.

My dad is my best friend and has shown me what it really means to be a man. He looks out for me, always has my best interest in mind, pushing me to be better every day and is my biggest supporter and fan through ups and downs. I get a lot of my passion and emotion from him, just because we care and always are striving to be the best version of ourselves like any great competitor. 

I love my parents and am so grateful to have two great role models like them in my life.

What is one thing about yourself that most people don’t know? I have a garbage truck named after me.

What are your plans after high school? I plan on playing basketball in college and I’m still weighing my options on where I’m going.

What’s your favorite sports team? The Washington Commanders because my Dad is from D.C.

What is your go-to warm-up music? “Return of the Mack” by Mark Morrison.

What is one place you have never been but would love to visit? Italy, it has great food and great history.

What would you tell a young athlete trying out for the Yorktown boys basketball team? Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t. Whatever you want to do, if you work hard, stay determined and patient, you can accomplish whatever you put your mind to.