Boys Varsity Basketball Season Comes to an End

The New Milford Knights fell to the Pascack Hills Cowboys in the first round of the NJSIAA Section 1 Group 2 Playoffs on Monday night in Montvale. The Knights were the #16 seed and the impressive Cowboys were the # 1 seed in the tournament.

Senior guard and standout Jeremy Clarke led the Knights with 21 points, while his senior sidekick Paul Victory put up 16 points. Clarke and Victory were the only two Knights to score in the first half, and it continued that way until about three minutes left in the third quarter when New Milford junior Tim Pierce hit a three point field goal.

Cowboys Center Steven Zurich dominated the low post and put up 18 points, while guard Cole Dorfman tallied up 11. Zurich posed a real matchup problem for the Knights.

“It’s really hard because he’s 6’5" and we don’t have guys that big, so he could just shoot over us,” said New Milford Head Coach Mike Mayer.

The first half was dominated by Pascack Hills who went on a 19-0 run in the first quarter and took a 29-8 lead by the end of the first quarter and a 46-13 lead by the end of the half. The Cowboys provided stifling defense and full court press, which set the tone for the rest of the game. New Milford’s Paul Victory and Pascack Hill’s Steven Zurich each had six points each in the first quarter. It was not the kind of start that New Milford wanted.

“I think we came out flat and they came out really hot,” said senior guard Jeremy Clarke. “We turned the ball over a lot and shots weren’t falling--the first half killed us.”

New Milford came out stronger in the second half, but the Cowboys continued to overwhelm the Knights on the boards and on defense. Despite a strong quarter by both Clarke and Victory, the Knights headed into the fourth quarter down 63-29 before falling 74-45 as the buzzer sounded on their season. The Knights finished 10-17 and did their best against a very strong team.

“Well, we knew coming in that it was gonna be a challenge,” said Mayer. “I think we turned the ball over a lot and we had some missed shots that led to fast breaks.”

The Knights are graduating six seniors this year including Clarke and Victory.

“We're certainly gonna miss our seniors," said Mayer. "I think in the first half they had all of our points--it’s gonna be difficult for us to replace them.”

Jeremy Clarke is going to continue playing basketball and is also heading to college for football.

“I’m gonna work to get bigger and stronger, practice my jumpshot, and just get better on my game,” said Clarke.

The Knights will try and figure out a way to move on next year without some of their top guns. There is talent and determination on this team, so stay tuned for next year.