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Tappan Zee surges late against Ardsley in tone-setting win
ARDSLEY – It was easy to get up for this game — literally, and in the figurative sense. Because, with a highlighted-on-the-schedule meeting with the defending state champions, it didn’t matter to Tappan Zee what time the alarms needed to be set for.
“As soon as I woke up, the adrenaline was already pumping,” senior Adrianna D’Orio said of facing Ardsley on the road Saturday morning. “Once I got out of bed, I was ready.”
Ah, but the opening minutes of this game said otherwise.
Of course, the girls basketball team was wide awake, but their play seemed a bit sluggish during its 15-point first half. The group seemed to lack the verve and feverish intensity that have become their signatures. Plus, a bevy of missed shots will contribute to the look of listlessness for any group.
“We played how Ardsley wants to play in the first half, and we were a little out of sorts,” Dutchmen coach Riley Chevrier said. “We took some time to settle into what we want to do.”
Tappan Zee eventually did that, erupting late in the third quarter and eventually pulling away for a 47-34 win over Ardsley, the kind of victory they hope will set an early tone.
D’Orio got hot from the perimeter, Devin Cunney took control in the post, and Emma McHugh and Eve Girardi were pests defensively and playmakers on the other end, leading the turnaround.
“That’s a great, well-coached team,” senior McHugh said of the Panthers, with whom Tappan Zee renews a rivalry with its return to Class A. “Knowing they’re the defending state champs was definitely motivation for us. They’ve accomplished something that we want to, so beating them does give us a little more confidence.”
Turning point
A splash of cold water in the face might’ve been a five-point deficit late in the second quarter, when it seemed Ardsley was getting untracked and Tappan Zee’s shot at a statement win was slipping away.
But the Dutchmen ended the half with two easy baskets, including Devin Cunney’s layup that pulled them within a point. Cunney opened the third quarter with a go-ahead layup, giving Tappan Zee a 17-16 lead it didn’t relinquish. Alyssa Sanchez followed with a 3-pointer.
Their pace picked up, the off-ball movement improved and the Dutchmen created more efficient looks with drives and cuts into the paint.
“We all have a lot of confidence in each other and what Coach works on in practice,” McHugh said. “There’s a lot of trust in each other, so even when things aren’t going well, there’s no panic.”
Elise O’Brien’s three got the Panthers within 20-19 with 6:06 left in the third, but they would draw no closer. Tappan Zee ended the period with a four-point lead and D’Orio opened the fourth with a straightaway three, which came off a kick out following three consecutive offensive rebounds.
“She’s one of the best shooters I’ve ever coached,” Chevrier said. “It’s frustrating when (the shots) aren’t falling, but everyone relaxed a little when we saw the first one go in.”
Probably because they had an inkling that more would follow. The sharpshooting guard hit two more in the quarter, the last of which pushed the Dutchmen lead to 40-29 with four minutes remaining.
“It’s hard when you’re missing over and over,” she said, “but I’ve got teammates who have my back and tell me to keep shooting. Once I hit a couple, my confidence shoots through the roof.”
What it means
These teams are rebuilding somewhat after graduating star players, but they’re both still considered among the better squads in Section 1 and could eventually square off in the playoffs.
Ardsley dominated in the postseason last winter, rolling to the Class A state title. Tappan Zee lost to eventual champion Rye in the Class AA sectional semifinals, but an enrollment dip has the Dutchmen back in Class A.
Ardsley is finding ways to adjust without forward Iva Corluka, who was the lohud Westchester/Punam Player of the Year last season. Tappan Zee lost, among others, standouts Kristen Phelan and Charlotte March. Understandably, this season will be a work in progress for both.
“I think we can be really good,” said Chevrier, who guided Tappan Zee to the Class A state final in 2022. “We lost a lot to graduation and we’re definitely adjusting to what that looks like, and we’re running some different sets. But I think our ceiling is high.”
By the numbers
Tappan Zee (2-0) — Cunney had 13 points and 11 rebounds… McHugh had 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals… D’Orio scored nine points… Girardi had seven points, six rebounds, three steals and several hustle plays, diving to the floor for loose balls.
Ardsley (2-1) ― Madison Bortstein scored 18 points… Dylan Paley added seven points, four steals and three blocks… Lily Tiernan scored six.
They said it
“We’ve talked about that, how the experience of making that kind of run and winning states brings back a better roster, despite what it looks like on paper,” Chevrier of Ardsley. “And they’re well coached. We knew they’d come out playing hard and make it difficult.”
“There’s a lot of motivation to get back (to the state tournament),” said McHugh, who was an eight-grader on the championship team. “I think we’ve been building on it and we really believe that this is the year. It’s about having trust in that and continuing to work.”
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
Saturday, Dec. 13
Yonkers City tournament
Yonkers Montessori 62, Saunders 42
Emilee Doherty had 15 points and Liliana Toro scored 14 to lead YMA in the championship game of the Yonkers City Tournament, winning the title for the fifth consecutive season. Grace Gleeson added nine points and Anisa Mustafaj scored eight. The Eagles led 33-2 after the first quarter and pulled their starters four minutes before halftime.
Ossining 58, Eastchester 28
Claire Schnecker had 15 points, 20 rebounds, six assists and three steals for Ossining. Kinya Green added 15 points, Sophia Torreri had 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals, and Ty’asia Carver had eight points and two assists.
Mamaroneck tournament
Scarsdale 51, Blind Brook 36
Abby Nadborny scored 20 points for Scarsdale in the consolation game of the Keith Yizar tournament. The freshman was selected all-tournament. Leah Brown added 13 points and Chloe Powell scored eight. Blind Brook’s Kendall Konigsberg scored 23 and was named to the all-tournament team.
Bronxville 52, Yorktown 51
Ellie Fahy scored 21 points to lead Bronxville. Gabby Ramirez added 10 points. Yorktown’s Erin Duffy scored 19 and Addison Schulter had 12 points.
Croton 37, North Salem 34
Julia Junkovic scored 14 points and Juliet Sarcone had 10 points for Croton. North Salem’s Kerri Nemeth had 16 points and Noemi Torres scored 11.
Fox Lane 38, John Jay-Cross River 36
Morgan Clinton made the go-ahead basket, finishing through contact, late for Fox Lane. She had 12 points, 14 rebounds, seven steals, two blocks and two assists to lead the Foxes. Dylan New added 13 points, including four 3-pointers, with four rebounds and two steals. Cora Moore had three points and 10 rebounds, Riley New and Amanda Mazzuca anchored the defense, and Kam Boniello had four offensive rebounds.
Panas at Nanuet, 11 a.m.
Harrison at Greeley, 11 a.m.
Pleasantville at Brewster, noon
Irvington at Pearl River, 12:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 12
Mahopac 48, Lakeland 32
Fiona Kelleher scored 12 points and Giana Puckhaber had 11 points to lead Mahopac. Karolina Klabjanova added nine points and Niamh Kelleher scored eight. Lakeland’s Carina Cannizzaro scored nine points.
Westlake 37, Somers 29
Meghan Nebel scored 14 points and senior Cara Maloney had a career-high 10 points for Westlake. Izzy Murray added six points.
Poughkeepsie 65, Port Chester 44
Sophia Faraci scored 23 points for the Rams in the loss. McKayla McLoughlin added eight points.
Tuckahoe 58, Putnam Valley 28
Erin Gerken had 13 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, and Chloe Angello added 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to lead Tuckahoe. Kye Rogers had seven points and eight rebounds.
Rye Neck 47, Hastings 41
Nina Muller scored 19 points to lead Rye Neck. Bree Tunno added 13 points and drew three offensive fouls, and Mariam Asghar scored 10 points.
Briarcliff 56, Valhalla 21
White Plains 55, Mount Vernon 24
Riverside at Barack Obama, 4 p.m.
Panas at Nanuet, 4:30 p.m.
Lincoln at Roosevelt, 4:30 p.m.
Clarkstown North at Nanuet, 6:30 p.m.
Yonkers City tournament
At Yonkers
3rd place: TBD, 4 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 11
John Jay-East Fishkill 56, North Rockland 41
Charlee Quimby scored 19 points and Brooke Matessino had 15 points to lead John Jay. North Rockland’s Kiersten Daly scored 21 points and Emily Higgins had nine points.
Eastchester 54, Greeley 44
Camryn Cassese had 12 points and four rebounds for Eastchester. Grace Comizio added 11 points and three steals, and Caitlin Wagner had nine points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block.
Rye 61, Harrison 44
Charlotte Storz scored 17 points to lead Rye. Phoebe Greto added 14 points, Stella Maresca had 12 points and Frankie Chiaravalle scored 10.
Bronxville, tournament
Bronxville 41, Byram Hills 31
Claire Kennedy scored 21 points to lead Bronxville. Lulu Heathwood and Grace Van Tienhoven each added seven points. Byram Hills’ Amelia Amenedo had 15 points.
Yorktown vs. Woodlands, 4:30 p.m.
Mamaroneck tournament
Nyack 52, Blind Brook 44
Casey Cummings scored 17 points for Nyack. Blind Brook’s Kendall Konigsberg had 28 points.
Mamaroneck 46, Scarsdale 39
Addison Dorfman scored 14 points and Emi Resendiz had 13 points for Mamaroneck, which hosted its Keith D. Yizar Tournament. Soukeyna Touknara added seven points. Scarsdale’s Abby Nadborny had 14 points, and Reese Newman and Janie Pease each scored six.
Yonkers City tournament
TBD, 4 p.m.
TBD, 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 10
Pearl River 59, Clarkstown North 39
Shannon Orr had 22 points and four rebounds and Caitlin Dempsey had 19 points, six assists and four steals to lead Pearl River. Riley Cahill added eight rebounds.
Blind Brook 64, Hastings 46
Kendall Konigsberg had 30 points and six steals to lead Blind Brook. Leah Riley added 10 points and four rebounds.
John Jay-Cross River 40, Croton-Harmon 37
Gabby Camaj scored 13 points for Cross River. Croton’s Addison Caputo had 13 points.
Tuckahoe 55, Haldane 26
Chloe Angello had 18 points, 14 rebounds and five assists for Tuckahoe. Brooke Matarazzo added 11 points and five steals, Ava Rogliano scored nine, and Cara Doherty and Kye Rogers combined for nine points and 22 rebounds.
Somers 46, Pleasantville 35
Eliana Contreras scored 16 points for Somers. Kacey McCullough added 13 points.
Pelham 46, Irvington 28
Irvington’s Kayla Clinton scored 13 and Chloe MacKessy had five rebounds and five blocks.
Hamilton 51, Putnam Valley 26
Yonkers Montessori 69, Westlake 31
Roosevelt at Yonkers, 4 p.m.
Sleepy Hollow at Leffell School, 4:30 p.m.
Gorton at Riverside, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 9
Bronxville 62, Edgemont 22
Claire Kennedy scored 15 points and Lulu Heathwood added 15 for Bronxville. Edgemont’s Ariana Dalal scored 14.
Lakeland 65, Walter Panas 39
Riley Waters scored 19 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead Lakeland. Adriana Ar-Bab added 15 points and Lilianna Aguirre had 14 points. Panas’ Bella Ocampo scored 15 and Emily Camarra had 14 points.
Mahopac 39, Yorktown 29
Mady Ford scored 15 points and Fiona Kelleher had seven points and six steals for Mahopac.
Albertus Magnus 80, North Rockland 22
Julia Scott scored 25 points for Albertus Magnus. Lauren Thomas added 19 points and Sara Nezaj had 13 points. Kiersten Daly scored 10 for North Rockland.
Ossining 68, Horace Greeley 33
Claire Schnecker had 21 points, 16 rebounds, seven steals and four assists to lead Ossining. Kinya Green added 19 points, including five 3-pointers in the first quarter, along with four steals. Ty’asia Carver had 13 points, six steals and three assists, Sophia Torrieri had eight points and seven assists, and Amaya Yancey had five points, five rebounds and three assists.
Haldane 38, Woodlands 30
Kayla Ruggiero scored nine and Marisa Peters had seven points for the Blue Devils. Miley Pena-Rider and Mackenzie Tobin each added six points.
Tappan Zee 62, Brewster 39
Emma McHugh had 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals to lead Tappan Zee. Eve Girardi added 11 points, five assists and four steals, and Devin Cunney had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Zaria Desir scored her first varsity points.
Dobbs Ferry 61, Hastings 46
Megan Harnett scored 30 points and have seven steals to lead Dobbs Ferry. Juliet Curanovic added eight points and five rebounds, and Kayla Runge had eight points and 10 rebounds.
Ursuline 62, New Rochelle 51
Olivia Sliwa had 21 points and 11 rebounds for Ursuline. Abby Sliwa added 14 points, 15 rebounds and four assists, and Lily Ardan scored 14.
Rye 56, Eastchester 21
Phoebe Greto had 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead Rye. Charlotte Storz added 11 points and four steals, and Frankie Chiaravalle had 10 points, six rebounds and three steals. Annie Toulouse had eight steals and Stella Maresca had four assists.
Irvington at Byram Hills, 4:30 p.m.
Ossining at Greeley, 4:30 p.m.
Suffern at Nyack, 5 p.m.
Poughkeepsie at Hen Hud, 5 p.m.
Brewster at Carmel, 6:15 p.m.
Yonkers City tournament
TBD, 4 p.m.
TBD, 4 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 8
Lincoln vs. Riverside at Cross Hill Academy, 4 p.m.
Saunders at Roosevelt, 4 p.m.
Westlake at John Jay-CR, 4:30 p.m.
Keio vs. Scarsdale B at Scarsdale, 4:30 p.m.
Carmel at Port Chester, 4:30 p.m.
Hamilton at Tuckahoe, 4:30 p.m.
Woodlands at Haldane, 5 p.m.
Rye Neck at Briarcliff, 5 p.m.
Somers at Hen Hud, 5 p.m.
North Salem at Putnam Valley, 5 p.m.
Tappan Zee at Brewster, 5:30 p.m.
Clarkstown South at Pleasantville, 6 p.m.
White Plains at John Jay-East Fishkill, 6:30 p.m.
Hastings at Dobbs Ferry, 6:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Tappan Zee tops Ardsley, girls basketball scores for week of Dec. 8
Reporting by Stephen Haynes, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
