Huskers’ season ends at County Center

Playing at the Westchester County Center on Monday was a special moment for Yorktown senior Tyler Galante, as the No. 2 Huskers faced No. 3 Clarkstown North in the Section 1 Class AA semifinals.

“This was my first time ever playing at the County Center,” said Galante, who sat out hoops last season as a junior after playing on the junior varsity his freshman and sophomore years. “It meant a lot just to be here because I always wanted to experience the atmosphere.”

For his teammate, senior Colin Worden, it was his second trip to the Mecca of local hoops, as Yorktown made its fourth consecutive postseason appearance at the County Center in White Plains.

“It’s an honor to play in the County Center again with the best players in Section 1, but more importantly for Yorktown,” Worden said. “It was my goal to do things differently in the County Center this year but unfortunately it didn’t turn out that way.”

Galante (14 points) and Worden (10 points) did what they could to keep Yorktown (20-3), an honorable mention in the state Class AA poll, in the game against its Rockland County opponent, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 53-41 Clarkstown North victory in the Rams’ first postseason appearance at the County Center in 41 years.

Two Clarkstown North field goals at the end of the opening quarter put the Rams ahead 11-7. Connor Mohardt (9 points) opened the second quarter with a jumper for the Huskers before Clarkstown North went on an 8-0 run to take a 19-9 lead.

After a timeout, Galante scored on an and-1 to end the Rams’ run.

“I saw space by the free-throw line and [Worden] had an excellent eye to find me,” Galante said. “It felt so good after I released it and plus it was even better to get fouled.”

Worden followed by connecting on his own and-1 to cut Clarkstown North’s lead to 19-15.

“All season long I’ve been looking to draw attention in the paint whether it was scoring or dishing it to my teammates and in that moment we needed a bucket, so I had to deliver,” Worden said.

Both teams scored three points apiece to end the second quarter, leaving Clarkstown North with a 22-18 halftime lead.

A 3-pointer from the top of the key put the Rams ahead 28-22 with 4:33 left in the third quarter, before Yorktown answered with a bucket from Sean Davis (6 points).

After a Clarkstown North three-point play, Worden came up big at the free-throw line with 2:22 remaining in the third, making both foul shots to cut the Rams’ lead to 31-26.

“I was just focused on making one at a time, a big moment during the game to just try to cut the lead down piece by piece and I’m glad I knocked them down to give my team a chance,” Worden said.

Shortly after a Clarkstown North hoop, Galante hit a 3-pointer from the left wing, cutting the Rams’ lead to 33-29.

“I made space and [Morhardt] found me and right from there I knew it was going in,” Galante said. “It felt amazing and I was excited to get the ball back.”

Clarkstown North answered with a trey of its own, then went 2 of 2 from the foul line before Worden made 1 of 2 foul shots. That left the Rams with a 38-30 lead going into the final quarter.

Galante nailed a jumper to start the scoring in the fourth quarter, 29 seconds in.

“I saw space again by the free-throw line and made a cut to then have [Worden] give a great pass,” Galante said. “It kept our momentum going, to not give up yet. Our mindset was to play our hardest until the game was over.”

After receiving an inbound pass from Worden, Franklin Ringel’s shot went off the glass and in, cutting the Rams’ lead to 38-34 with 4:30 to go in the game.

Clarkstown North responded with a 9-1 run to seal the victory.

While the ending wasn’t what Yorktown hoped for, the season—including a third straight league title and the 35th consecutive home win—created memories that will last a lifetime.

Worden said it meant the world to play at Yorktown.

“I wouldn’t trade the memories and all the good times I had playing with Yorktown basketball,” Worden said. “I was super happy to be surrounded with the boys I grew up playing with as we ended this chapter together.

“I was super proud and grateful to be a significant piece in the Yorktown basketball success, there’s truly no better feeling than adding something to the banner for your hometown.”