Huskers Tame Tuskers In Semfinal

By Zach Smart

Hampered by a lackluster first half, top-seeded Yorktown was in dire need of a wakeup call.

The Huskers were crumbling under the weight of a junk zone defense. Somers kept the heat on, slicing away at a thin deficit.

Chris Marasco’s goal with 4:30 remaining in the third quarter pulled the Tuskers within 6-5, eliciting a steady “OVERRATED!” chant from a red-clad fan base at Charlie Murphy field.

The chorus didn’t fall on deaf ears.

“We heard it,” Yorktown senior Nick Mariano said. “We heard it loud and clear.”

The Huskers decided to answer with their sticks.

Yorktown snapped out of the funk, enforcing a wild third quarter spurt en route to a 12-7 Section I/Class B semifinal victory.

In a game defined by runs, Yorktown’s 30-second sprint ultimately pulled the Huskers past Somers.

Brian Prestreau darted out in transition, rolled off a pick from Mariano and delivered a 10-yard rip with 4:30 remaining in the third.

All of 16 seconds later, Prestreau emerged from an identical angle, blasting a dart past keeper Nik Genuando.

Prestreau’s two goals in half a minute provided an 8-5 edge and a psychological lift for the Huskers (16-2).

And so Yorktown held off hard-hitting Somers, which gave Yorktown fits and black-and-blue marks in the first half.

Top-seeded Yorktown will face John Jay-Cross River, a 6-5 OT winner over Rye, in the Section I championship at White Plains High School on Thursday.

The third quarter has been Yorktown’s period of prosperity this season.

The pattern of orchestrating a quick-jab, momentum-swinging surge during those vital 12 minutes continued on Tuesday.

Sparked by Danny Manning and Luke Palmadesso’s grit on faceoffs, the rapid-fire outburst swallowed the potential of a monumental Somers upset. It additionally supplied the Huskers with an intense rush of adrenaline.

“We knew (Somers) was going to come out firing in that third quarter,” Mariano said.

“We just made it a point to come out a little more fired up and put the ball in the back of the net. They were getting close and it was the right time and it was great for us.”

Surges to the cage kept Somers (10-9) on Yorktown’s back, as a supreme knife fight unfolded.

Tim Cousin, Dave Rubenstein, and Tyler DeVito each popped two goals to pace the Tuskers.

All season, Lew Javaney’s squad has been marred by inconsistency.

On Tuesday, the Tuskers let their passion for the game spill out with an aggressive zone.

They kept a lid on go-to threats Prestreau and Connor Vecruysse (who blitzed Brewster for seven goals in the quarterfinal) in the first half.

Prestreau and Mariano had seen enough.

“We just treat (the third quarter) as a new game,” said Stony Brook-bound Prestreau, who bagged three goals and an assist.

“It helps that were never worn out at that point.”

With 3:35 remaining in the third, Mariano laced a straightaway goal from 20 yards out. The rip capped a 3-0 burst in a 41-second span.

Rubenstein answered a minute later, carving his way to the cage and popping.

Back-to-back goals from Mariano and shifty Ryan Baker kept Yorktown’s foot on Somers’ throat, upping the lead to 11-6.

Vercruysse snaked behind the cage and poured in a nifty reverse layup, supplying Yorktown with an insurmountable 12-7 bulge with 4:02 remaining.

Mariano led the way with a game-high five goals, stretching out Somers’ zone.

Rutgers-bound junior Connor Vercruysse deposited two goals. Baker and Nick Delbene each chimed in with one.

Newly-appointed starter Zack Reilly handled matters between the pipes, registering six saves.

“Brian’s been playing well all year and the third quarter is a big time to step up,” said Huskers coach Dave Marr.

“This game is always tough. We never have a cake walk here and Somers is a tough team. They are very well coached. They gave us some fits, we didn’t shoot the ball well and their goalie (Genualdo) played well. It was a good test for the kids. They persevered.”

Mariano’s personal 3-0 run gave Yorktown an early cushion.

The UMass-bound sniped an 18-yarder off a dish from Nicky Bonitatibus. He followed with a deep straightaway rip. Then, Mariano got loose in transition for a pull-up.

Delbene fired in the 4-0 ball, but Somers answered as Rubenstein nailed a turnaround with 5:04 remaining. Tyler DeVito rocketed home a mid-range rip that made it 4-2 with 2:25 to go in the second.

Yorktown will face formidable foe John Jay (12-6) in a rematch of last year’s Section I final. Yorktown defeated the Indians, 9-8, in sudden death overtime in 2012.

“We always want to play them in the finals,” said Mariano.

“Coach (Tim) Schurr is a great, great coach. He always has a good game plan for them. We’re going to hope for the best and we’ll be ready.”

Perhaps John Jay fans will opt not to go with an "overrated" chant.

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Anderson Reaches Milestone With no.500

By Zach Smart

Gabby Anderson has been tasked with stoning shots across Section I.

For four years, Anderson’s subscribed to the role of manipulating, influencing, changing, and altering the trajectory of shots from countless high-powered offenses.

Assuming the leadership role for Mahopac not only means backboning the defense, it means serving as the traffic cop—directing the flow following saves, helping clear the ball from defense to offense.

As a senior, Anderson has helped solve the chemistry experiment for a piecemeal group. She’s helped shape a youth movement into a veteran-loaded core.

During the Indians’ 10-6 win over Clarkstown South, Anderson collected 10 saves in the second consecutive win of the Indians’ recent 4-0 tear.

Anderson’s poise between-the-pipes helped preserve Mahopac’s dizzying 12-11 win over Lakeland-Panas. During that game, which always has extra juice for Mahopac, Anderson reeled in eight saves to pace the Indians.

It wasn’t until Mahopac’s pulsating13-12 win over White Plains that Anderson’s name was etched in the program’s history books.

The senior captain attained a new milestone against the Tigers, collecting her 500^th save. It is a new high-water mark for a player that’s been through plenty knot-tight battles over the years.

A starter since her freshman season, Mahopac head coach Jim Lieto often pegs Anderson as the “cornerstone” of the defense.

While negating a “who’s who” of the area’s prolific scorers can be a tall order, her biggest accomplishment occurred off the field.

In the fall of 2011 Anderson was diagnosed with having a cyst in her ovary. It caused stomach pain and chronic fatigue. The situation exacerbated when the cyst became such a hindrance the doctors needed to prevent it from interfering with the ovaries.

And so the goalie who has prevented so many dodgers from knifing up Mahopac’s defense was forced to go under the knife herself. The surgery was successful, though doctors gave many warnings about prolonging her career in a sport that requires sacrificing the body.

With two months of rest, rehab, and perseverance, Anderson again assumed her starting role in net.

It’s been a tumultuous four-year ride for Anderson.

With Mahopac’s recent string of success, Anderson’s individual milestone, and the Indians’ knack for closing out tight games, Anderson will savor these final few games of a commendable four-year career.

Familiar Faces To Reunite In Arlington/Yorktown matchup

 

By Zach Smart

Shots from point-blank, on the fly, angles, medium range, and oceanic-deep territory are likely to be delivered today.

Yes, Arlington goalkeeper JD Colarusso will have his hands full with Yorktown's fleet of sharpshooters.

 The Huskers have had the right to bear arms this season. Rife with shooters who can snipe from beyond 25 yards, Yorktown’s ability to hit from a variety of ranges has spread the scoring seed.

Colarusso, an Albany-bound All-American candidate, marked this game on the schedule as soon as he picked up a fresh copy.

Having played summer ball with a good chunk of Yorktown players over the years, JDC knows what to expect from this arsenal of gunners.

Buoyed by balance, Yorktown (12-2) is lethal for its depth. The Huskers have shared the wealth around at a pace even Barack Obama would smile at, creating seams in the half-field set.

Dave Marr’s system is predicated on inducing the slide, dodging and pinning cutters. There is emphasis on constant ball flow, setting picks, and pulling the right shot. The Huskers won't be warming up any goaltenders during game time. Shouts of "shots fired!" might reverberate from the field to the nearby Yorktown Police Station.

Historically and currently, Yorktown’s scorers are distributers first. There is never too much weight on anyone's shoulders.

“We’re not counting on someone to come in and score 50 goals,” said senior captain Nick Mariano, who’s headed to UMass. “This offense doesn't rely on one single guy."

Mariano, who entered the season  a marked man, has been able to display both scoring and dishing aspects. The kid they call "Nicky Lax" dealt out four assists in the 14-2 trouncing of Lakeland-Panas in the Murphy Cup game.

Blanketed by defenders in the first half of Yorktown's win against CT power Ridgefield, Mariano dealt out six assists. Against St. Anthony's, Mariano turned in a hat trick and a dime.  

The senior has reaped the rewards of Brian Prestreau (who filled up the scorebook, bagging a team-high six goals against St. Anthony's) and rangy trigger man Conor Vercruyesse’s emergence.
 
The power in numbers has resulted in an 8-0 record against Section I opponents this season. The team’s lone losses came at the hands of Albany-based Shenendehowa and Long Island power St. Anthony’s, both by a one-goal margin.

Against Shen, the Huskers were never able to get into a rhythm. In the yearly blood feud with St. Anthony’s, the Huskers offensive output was never the issue.  

St. Anthony’s Dylan Molloy, who bulldozed his way to the cage en route to four goals and an assist, popped the game-winner with 3:20 remaining in a dizzying 13-12 OT barnburner.

The game was originally slated for last week, but a bomb threat at Arlington High postponed all activities.

With an aching loss in the rearview, Yorktown has flipped its focus to running the table over Section I foes.
 

“Our goal is to beat every Section I team,” said Mariano earlier in the season.

 “We want to win out. We love playing against St. Anthony’s and Chaminade, but we’re always fired up to play against good teams within the Section. Every team in our league can play, so there are really no easy outs.”

Today, Mariano will be reunited with Colarusso, a tight friend with whom he grew up playing.

Colarusso is coming off a monster performance against Putnam Valley, a pulsating 8-7 2OT win. 

The veteran senior stifled key shots, collecting a game-high 20 saves.

Towson-commit Brendan Sunday’s clutch deposit propelled the Admirals. Sunday ripped the game-winning goal with 2:03 left, finally closing the lid on a pesky PV team at their home turf.

Somewhere, Ryan Fitzgerald (the former PV high-scorer, recognized for his ability to absorb brutal hits and thrive off contact) was heated.

This Yorktown team has significant resonance with Colarusso, who is linked to the program’s bloodlines.

 

Colarusso’s father, Joseph Colarusso, was an All-American at Yorktown. Albany coach Scott Marr, a former Yorktown All-American who played at Johns Hopkins, plucked Colarusso and Admirals junior Dan Hansen from the Section I recruiting market prior to the 2013 campaign.

Colarusso has formed good relationships with Yorktown’s players over the years, though the senior explained that his only friends today will be wearing Arlington jerseys.

 

“Personally, I just have to be very concentrated and be on my “A” game,” said Colarusso.

“We have to try and get into the shooters’ hands. We will try our best and try to force them into some bad shots.”

Yorktown To Cap Season Against Familiar and Formidable Foe

By Zach Smart

Finishing, creating open looks, and depositing shots with efficiency. Yorktown crumbled in those three categories in its last meeting with cross-town rival Lakeland/Panas.

An engine of resilience, sheer grit and poise in crunch time made up for it.

The Lady Huskers gutted out a 10-9 win over the Rebels on sophomore Jenna Gammer’s game-winning pop back on April 26. Now, Yorktown will renew this rivalry with heavy emphasis on a constant pipe-and-move game.

The Huskers have thrived in pressure-spiked games this season, winning six out of seven games decided by three goals or less.  The Huskers' 13-game win streak came to a screeching halt against a Suffern team eager to bridge the gap between Westchester and Rockland.

The recent loss was, surprise surprise—decided by one goal.

In a 13-12 slugfest, Suffern had the final say as Caitlin Leary buried the game-winner with nine seconds remaining.

Leary, the high-scoring sophomore who torched North Rockland for six goals in an 18-11 win last week, bagged a hat trick to lead the Mounties.

The Huskers dodged and sniped back from an 11-6 hole, buoyed mainly by the hot hand of freshman middie/attack Casey Duff.

On May 13, Yorktown will depend on a well-balanced offense that creates shooting space. The Huskers demand a thorough riding game , especially against a Rebels team known for its scoring depth.  

“I think the reason we’ve been successful is we’ve been working hard to play like a team,” Huskers head coach Ellen Mager explained.

"I don’t even know what the stats are, but we’re pretty balanced and we have a lot of kids that contribute, which makes us tougher to defend. We’re working hard with the defensive concept of having necessary help when we need it.”

Entering the season, filling the cleats of two-time All-Section goalkeeper Katie Frederick seemed to be a major task cooking on Yorktown’s front burner.

Frederick, who collected 239 saves while sporting an  8.86 goals against average in 2012, is now at Ohio State.

The void has been filled by Bianca Dente, who has been the mainstay between-the-pipes.

Spearheading the Huskers defense has been Amanda Maker. In addition to closing up passing lanes and applying draping defense on high scorers, Makar has helped forge the defense into a unit.

“Our goalie has been seeing the ball well, part of that is the defense in front of her is doing a commendable job,” Mager explained.

“Our focus is always working to stop the opponent as well as how to improve on how we clear the ball from defense to offense.”

Lakeland/Panas(11-4), a perennially potent program which has dealt with its fair share of growing pains this season, has ripped off five of its last six.

The table appears set on another tight, eyeball-to-eyeball affair. Yorktown won’t adjust its style of play against its familiar foe Monday.

“We’re basically going to do what we’ve been doing, we’re going to try to make it hard to get their offense to get easy looks,” Mager said.

“One of the things we hope to improve upon from last time is our shooting. They have a very good goalie and we did not score a high percentage of shots. That, our draw control, and picking our spots on offense are areas we will pay attention to.”

Throwback Thursday: Class of '11 Hoops

By Zach Smart

This Thursday, we take a throwback look at the team that turned the corner for a program staggering on the fringe of mediocrity. We re-examine a memorable game which ended a dreadful drought, propelling a senior-laden program striving for Section-wide visibility to foreign territory.

 Mahopac Hoops was once the also-ran, wedged in the middle of the pack.

The Indians were once the irrelevant, the unknown.

The only time they smelled the old County Center floor was when they shelled out the $7 like everyone else.

This team didn’t contain a lethal scoring threat who was being actively pursued by UNC, Duke, Kentucky, or even a St. John's, a Fordham, or a Quinnipiac.  

They didn’t feature a 6-foot-9 center with electric, freakish athleticism.

 They also didn’t contain a cerebral 6-foot-9 forward/center who can adjust to the style of a guard, stretching out defenses with deep jumpers, 3-pointers, and peddling out assists. There was no real superstar, no surefire All-State first team guy recognized as the alpha dog of the offense.

Mahopac did, however, collectively share a similar distaste for losing.

Proving the philosophy about the whole being greater than the sum of the parts is no overused cliche, Mahopac's depth overwhelmed foes. The veteran senior class had a good feel for other’s games. They'd earned their chops playing together from the CYO level on.

They formed a basketball clique along the way, entrenched in street ball battles from as early back as they can remember. This core was always flooding the outdoor courts on sun-baked days, running everything from 3-on-3 battles to "winner stays on" 5-on-5s on the local courts.

The class of 2011 subscribed defense, providing scoring threats with little room to operate. Each player savored the role that best suited them.

There were a few pure shooters, a few guys who could handle the rock and orchestrate the offensive flow. There were a few muscle-bound cats serving as clean-up guys, tasked with eating up rebounds, providing stickbacks, and altering shots.

Yes, this was team ball. The commitment to making the extra pass was there. There was no reliance on any isolation style. The fluid ball movement, the inside-outside game rarely wilted.

And so we take you back…

 Ryan Wagner's shooting hand hung in the air a bit longer than usual. With 2:53 remaining in the third quarter, Mahopac’s senior guard was again playing possessed.

After pocketing a deep corner 3-pointer, capping a quick 8-2 spurt, Mahopac’s spread over Clarkstown South swelled to 49-26. Largest lead of the night.

 Wagner, who drained 4-of-5 three-pointers during the first half against Yorktown in the regular season finale, entered this shootout with a ratchet he may have purchased off Reggie Miller or Dell Curry (quick release for those old enough to remember) at a Pawn Shop.

Suddenly, for the first time in over a decade, an oh-so-familiar chant permeated the walls of Mahopac High School. The players were serenaded in this steady chorus.

It was almost too much too soon.

Yes it was early but boy, was it refreshing to the always-raucous Mahopac Maniacs—a home crowd that’s remained true through the rollercoaster of the program's recent history.

"County Center!"

 “COUNTY CENTER!”

 “COOOUNNTYYY CENTTTER!”

The Indians are finally generating basketball buzz with a veteran-loaded core which has been the stepchild to football and lacrosse the past couple of seasons.

It was the Indians’ relentless defensive energy and arsenal of shooters who overwhelmed No.14 Clarkstown South, punching Mahopac’s ticket to the Westchester County Center for the first time since 2000.

During that last trip, before the 11-year layoff, they ran into a buzz saw known as Ben Gordon. Gordon, the famed professional, was a junior at Mount Vernon HS at the time.

The Indians will again meet perennially-tough Mount Vernon—the Goliath seeking an unprecedented sixth straight Section I championship--in the Section I/Class AA semifinals.

Mahopac dismantled South--the sleeper which upset Yale-bound center Matt Townsend and No.3 Horace Greeley--to the tune of a 73-57 washout.

"Words can't describe how amazing this feels right now," said Wagner, who poured in 19 points to guide the Indians' perimeter game.

"I mean, it's a speechless feeling. I can't even describe it. No words really. "

Mahopac is not big on post-game bravado or trash talk, but their actions on the court spoke louder than words Tuesday night.

Anthony Annunziata, a grizzled four-year veteran (who came close to earning a first-ever berth in the County Center before crumbling under 6-foot-8 forward Keith Thomas and red-hot Yorktown two years ago), spoke all week about seizing the moment. The longest-tenured player on the roster, Annunziata spoke of making up for lost time. This was it. Senior year. Win or let February break begin. Simple equation.

One of the Indians' nine seniors, Annunziata bagged timely three-pointers and dropped 19 points.

He was a playing with a purpose. He didn't want to miss the dance. He didn't want to miss every varsity basketball player's dream of performing before a jam-packed crowd on the biggest stage. Annunziata owed it to the alumni. He owed it to the high-decibel, loyal, and ebullient fan base whose support never waned.

"I couldn't be happier for the kid (Annunziata)," said Indians coach Kevin Downes. Two Years ago, we were a couple minutes away from getting to the County Center. He knows what it's like. He's one of the hardest working kids we've had here. As the kids like to say, he's the heart and soul of this team."

The Indians played with the heart and hustle of a team hungry for a berth in the Section I Final Four. They got offensive rebounds. They took charges. They played suffocating defense even while nursing a 12-point lead. They refused to take their foot off the gas.

After gaining a 34-22 halftime lead, the Indians opened up the second half on a 7-2 surge. An Annunziata 3-pointer pumped the lead up to 41-24. Robbie Catalino followed with a baseline drive.

Annunziata got open on the left corner and drained another trey. Clarkstown’s interior game put a scare into the Indians in the first half, but tailed off in the second. They no longer pounded the ball inside and the defensive pressure forced them into off-balanced shots. It was not the same team that dismantled Townsend and 6-foot-5 forward Harrison Brown at Greeley.

Handles-happy guard Mark Vaccaro scored 10 points.

It was Vaccaro and senior T.J. Foley, who converted rebounds and into outlet passes to trigger the running game, facilitated the offense. Zach Ankier had some key buckets, including a key putback that quelled a 6-0 Clarkstown run in the first half.

Downes said he would like to enjoy the victory for the night, albeit the immediate path ahead appears rough.

"Mount Vernon is a great program, we can only aspire to do what they've been able to do over the years," said Downes.

"We know we're going to have our hands full. I mean, we have to start thinking about that first thing tomorrow. For tonight, we will enjoy the win... We were definitely comfortable in our gym tonight. When you add playing solid defense to how well the kids shot the ball, absolutely, it's a colossal win. We're happy to get to where we're going, we are going to make the most of this opportunity."

Wagner will embrace the moment.

"It's just a great opportunity," said Wagner, hyped to play against arguably the best high school player in New York State in West Virginia-bound guard Jabarie Hinds.

"Just because we know how good he (Hinds) is, we know he's headed to West Virginia on a full ride. It's going to be great to play against a player like that."

While the pinnacle of their coaching careers remains to be seen, both Mount Vernon coach Bob Cimmino and Mahopac coach Kevin Downes have had memorable seasons.

Cimmino has been chosen to coach the East squad at the McDonald's All-American game this year, a national honor.

Downes was recently named Section I Coach of the Year, recognized for his role in turning around a team that went 6-12 last season.

Downes is a coach who bleeds emotion. He's groomed a torrent of talented seniors that have ascended the scale together, savoring their roles and keeping within confines of the system.

Cimmino has likened Hinds (who was rendered unguardable against Section I opponents this season) to Gordon multiple times the past two seasons.

When Hinds averaged 37 PPG during an AAU tournament in North Carolina, the summer leading into his junior season, Cimmino first made the comparison.

Have his words proven prophetic?

It remains to be seen.

Last season, Hinds and Mount Vernon torched New Rochelle--avenging two regular season losses--en route to topping Poughkeepsie in the title game. Hinds, who engineered a personal 7-0 run in the second half, dropped 26 points as the Knights earned their fifth consecutive Gold Ball.

Mount Vernon will be a tall order, bigger and stronger and more athletic than any team they’ve seen this season. They can’t simulate their guard play, with the jet-quick Hinds and his penchant for stepback jumpers and one-on-one slashes.

Mahopac is cognizant, however, that the pressure is on other side.

 They are playing with house money, so they might as well embrace the moment. Embrace the lime lit atmosphere, with the sea of onlookers hoping to get their $7 worth. Embrace Section I's biggest stage.

High Adrenaline Fusco Caps Freshman Year With CAA Honors

By Zach Smart

Yorktown's senior slinger Nick Mariano calls former teammate Frankie Fusco one of the most intense emotional leaders he’s ever played with.

Fellow Huskers senior Trevor Koelsch says playing with a high-adrenaline, team-first leader of Fusco’s fabric allows you to elevate your game.

In current Drexel teammate T.J. Foley, Mariano and Koeslch's words resonate.

“He’ll never play scared, he will never back down from anyone no matter who it is,” said Foley, who starred at cross-town rival Mahopac.

“He’s a great player coming from Yorktown, as much as I hate to say it. He’s an even better teammate. We could be playing against the All-World pro All-Star team and in his mind he’ll think we should be favored to win the game by five goals.”

There’s a certain "game time" mentality ingrained in each player.

There are players who can talk all season about delivering bone-rattling checks and warding off relentless hits on the way to the crease. Few can actually sustain that killer instinct for the grueling 48-minute grind.

 Fusco's game demeanor is hard to miss.

 The kid plays as if he’s just chugged 10 Red Bulls in the parking lot. He plays as if the other team spent the whole day hurling insults on him and his teammates. For Fusco, every moment is amplified.

Whether he is sporting a Mohawk, his patented eye black, or an irremovable chip on his shoulder, there is not a trace of trepidation.

“He’s always been like that,” explained Koelsch.

“When the game is on, he’s highly emotional. He’s motivational, he just takes it to another level. He just gets so into the game, it really comes out when he’s riding defenders and cranking up the pressure.”

 Fusco’s emergence as a key catch-and-stick target resulted in immediate production his freshman year at Drexel. Fusco emerged into a top-4 scorer in a souped-up, catch-and-stick offense.

 The freakish freshman popped 23 goals and dished out nine assists, scooping up 22 ground balls in 14 games as a starter.

Fusco's evolution provided another leg of scoring. Drexel's finely oiled machine is fueled by bangers Robert Church (team-best 33 goals, 24 assists) and Ben McIntosh (38 goals, 18 assists). The offense allows plenty of freelance, one-on-one moves.

Fusco copped two Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week for the week awards, most recently being honored on April 29 following a two-goal performance against High Point.

Fusco blasted two goals and delivered an assist as Drexel rolled to a 14-8 defeat of High Point to close out the regular season. Fusco got free for a snipe during a 7-2 spurt that opened up the game in the first half. The Yorktown native later scored on a dodge. Drexel executed a mammoth shooting barrage, putting up 56 shots to High Point’s 31.

Fusco’s freshman season ended with a frustrating 11-8 loss to Towson (against former teammates Justin Mabus and John Fennessey) in the CAA semifinal at Penn State.

Where Are They Now? TJ Foley

By Zach Smart

The vast array of nicknames heaped on former Mahopac midfielder T.J. Foley was both colorful and telling.

During his senior year at Mahopac, teammates and coaches routinely referred to Foley as "the beast."

Foley was also known in Mahopac lacrosse circles as "the Man-Child," "The Man," and "Pretty Boy."

Foley cemented his legacy with clutch characteristics during the Indians’ 7-5 victory over Lakeland/Panas in the 2011 Section I championship at Suffern Middle School.

Turn the clock back two years.

Foley was a senior salivating at the sight of a sectional championship plaque.

Having helped pioneer ‘Pac to Section I final and semifinal appearances in football and basketball, the notion of capping his career with another runner-up certificate didn't sit well.  

With the May heat and sectional title pressure searing, the senior finally lived up to his handful of loud nicknames.

Foley dropped the go-ahead goal, a dramatic catch-and-pop to crack a 4-4 deadlock. He blasted home an insurance pop with 5:35 remaining, as Mahopac seized a 6-4 edge.

Heroics gained, championship attained.

Now, back to the future.

Foley finished his sophomore year at Drexel as a role player. The team's high-scoring quartet was headlined by Robert Church (33 goals, 24 assists).

While he is no longer the beast amongst boys he was at Mahopac, where refs (in jest) asked to see his birth certificate before games (Aiden Hynes is 14 years old, factual information that’s been verified, so there’s no way Foley was over age in HS), he's no puppy.

Foley’s ability to rocket shots with both hands helped him gain some burn. He must develop into more of a shootist next year, when he's likely to have a more prominent role.

An All-American his senior year at Mahopac, Foley played sparingly his freshman year at Drexel. The 6-foot-1 slinger did pop two goals in a win against Mount St. Mary’s last season, albeit he played on the second line this season.

"There's a major jump from high school to college," said Foley, who earned a 3.0 GPA this semester. "It's not even close to as fast-paced, in college everyone is much bigger and stronger. You really can't simulate that kind of size or athleticism in high school. So, I just worked my tail off and made sure I was ready."

At Drexel, Foley said the system is predicated on beating your man and either firing or creating an open look.

"It's just really basic," said Foley of the new offensive system. "Here it is essentially, beat your guy and make the right look and someone is always open, so there's a lot of emphasis on being cerebral with the ball. We have a set. Depending on which way (the ball handler) goes, everyone just reacts."

With his focus on this new style of play, Foley has vowed to increase his foot speed and explosiveness this off-season. The whole process of ascending the ladder, working up the ranks and proving your worth is similar to high school.

"I've just got to get faster and develop that quicker step," said the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Foley.

If recent history is any portent, Foley's work ethic won't falter.

“After his first year at the Division-I level, he worked out plenty and he came back looking like a mammoth,” said Indians senior Ross Thompson, a former teammate.

“I think his shot developed even more, which is scary to think about. The kid is a pure sniper.”

Foley’s senior year at MHS, he quarterbacked the football team to a berth in the Section I championship game.

In hoops, Foley was a interior presence who inhaled rebounds and provided hustle points.

That deep, veteran-loaded core (no longer the stepchild to football and lacrosse) ended an 11-year County Center drought, utilizing a balanced offensive attack and applying draping team defense. The Indians fell to Jabarie Hinds-led Mount Vernon in a lackluster Section I semifinal game.

Nobody will forget how Foley capped his senior year in lacrosse, making up for lost time with a sought after Section I championship that had eluded the Indians.

“T.J. was a quiet leader, but he led by example,” said former Mahopac co-coach Dave Haddeland, currently the offensive coordinator at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island.

“He was always pushing himself and his teammates in practice and in games. He could shoot it with both hands and would run through a brick wall for you.”