The
Putnam Challenge proved to be the Day of The Big Man last Saturday.
In
the earlier game, Byram Hills’ 6-foot-7 Center Andrew Groll decimated the
smaller Yorktown frontline, scoring 23 points en route to game MVP honors.
In
the Putnam Valley’s wild win over Somers, all eyes were on hops-heavy Tigers
forward Jelani Bell-Isaac and Somers’ towering 6-foot-9 center Max Parks. It
was a big proving ground for the big men, all of whom play big roles on their
respective teams.
In
Mahopac’s 65-47 dismantling of Dobbs Ferry, Ryan Simone scored a game-best 22
points and tore down nine rebounds.
Dobbs
Ferry tried to counter the dieseled-up 6-foot-4 senior with another big body. They
threw in Tim Soave, a widebody and one of the Section’s best fullbacks, to
front him. They tried to collapse down on Simone, but were never there in time.
Simone,
a veritable walking double-double, continued his streak of frontcourt
supremacy. Recognized initially for football, where as a tight end Simone
garnered interest from Division-I programs such as Maine and Albany, a
basketball jones has emerged.
Simone
spent the summer refining his post moves and playing heated games of one-on-one
against his older brother Mike, a former Indians forward, in the driveway. The
physicality of those games intensified, rivaling the basket-brawl New York
Knicks teams of the 1990s. There was a “no blood, no foul” rule installed and
Simone’s evolution as one of the county’s top scorers has been an unsung story
of Section I this season.
RJ
Martinez turned in 14 points and 12 rebounds. The Carmel
transfer has provided constant, stat sheet stuffing performances while forming
a high-low game with Simone.
The two have been so efficient, they’ve drawn comparisons to Mike DePaoli and Chris Morley, memorable inside-outside tandem at North Salem in the early 2000s. DePoaoli, of course, was the centerpiece of that offense, a trigger-happy guard who eclipsed the 1,000 point plateau.
The two have been so efficient, they’ve drawn comparisons to Mike DePaoli and Chris Morley, memorable inside-outside tandem at North Salem in the early 2000s. DePoaoli, of course, was the centerpiece of that offense, a trigger-happy guard who eclipsed the 1,000 point plateau.
The
Indians have shed any notions of a two-man wrecking crew.
Dan
Foley displayed a feathery mid-range jumper during the first half, helping
Mahopac build a double-digit lead. Glenn Janik operated the offense, scoring 10
points dishing out six assists. Janik added six boards.
Mahopac
registered its depth presence in the first half.
Jarret
Rooney popped off the bench to bury a 16-footer. Aiden Hynes applied steady
on-the-ball pressure.
Despite
a five-day layoff, Mahopac showed no ill effects early on.
Chris
Eserino sparked the half-court offense with long-range shooting. Eserino, a key
piece to bang with Simone and Foley down low, has become arguably the best set
shooter on the team.
The
defense that Downes preaches with an iron fist was never more evident in the
first half. Aiden Hynes pickpocketed a Dobbs guard and fed Janik, who led the a
2-on-1 fast break and dished to Simone for a layup and a 29-18 lead.
“The
third quarter was once again the key for us,” explained Indians coach Kevin
Downes.
“We
really picked it up defensively and we were very balanced offensively (in the
third quarter) with Ryan scoring seven points, R.J. scoring six and Glenn
scoring five points. Overall, I thought we played well despite the layoff. Dan
Foley continues to play well and Ethan Ryan gave a great effort off the bench.”
Dobbs
is still feeling the lingering effects of not only Fordham-bound Eric Paschall’s
departure, but also shooter Nick Kost (claimed by 2013 graduation).
The
Eagles, a County Center Finalist in Class B last season, were competitive early
on.
The
Eagles faltered during the third quarter, when the Indians began kicking in the
extra pass and locking up with a new fervor.
