Foxes beat Somers, Earn First Season Win

Anyone who watched the Fox Lane Varsity Basketball team take on Somers Tuesday night at Fox Lane High School witnessed something the Foxes have been working towards the whole season: their first win.

For the Foxes the win didn't come easy. With a season marred by losses, the team went into the game with an 0-8 record, but Head Coach Christopher Violante said that even with all losses the team kept their morale high.

"It was definitely a long November and December but the kids have always stayed positive."

Violante admitted he didn't think it would take so long to get their first win, but said he's noticed a change in the team since coming back from their winter break.

"For the last few days there's been something different," said Violante. "At Saturday's practice they were fantastic, same with Monday and Tuesday. They came back from their break wanting to win. They're hungry and I think it shows."

When the game started the Foxes took control early with Captain Tim Muller leading the way, scoring the first two points of the game. The Foxes defense went to work early, stopping three of Somers' offensive pushes in a row and helping the team grab an early eight-point lead.

By the end of the first period it was hard to imagine that the Foxes came into the game with a 0-8 record. Offensively, the team played smart, setting picks early and patiently passing the ball until they found an opening. Defensively, the players made a formidable wall, stumping the Somers offense while only allowing four points during the first period.

Going into the second period Fox Lane was ahead of Somers by 12 points, 16-4. The Foxes used the period to extend their lead. They pushed into Somers' zone aggressively, forcing close plays under the net and coming out on top. Fox Lane Captains Tim Muller and Kyle Steffens lead the rush during the second, scoring 12 points and giving the Foxes a cushy lead going into half time.

The last half of the game was played defensively for the Foxes. Coming off two well-played offensive periods, the Foxes used their 23-point lead to slow game play, grinding the Somers players.

Foxes' Dylan Peretz held Somers at bay in the defensive zone, grabbing four rebounds during the third period, while Drew DelGaudio and Alex Sarnoff took the Foxes home in the fourth, scoring a combined seven points.

As time expired at the end of the fourth period, the Foxes had pushed past Somers by 44 points, winning 73-29. Violante wasn't surprised by how well the team played but admitted the win feels good.

"These kids word really hard," said Violante. "They play really well together and they love the game."

Violante went on to say that even though the team hadn't won up until now, it doesn't mean they haven't played well.

"None of the games we've lost have been blown outs," said Violante. "If you play good defense you're gonna get a lot of easy baskets. That's what we got a lot of tonight."

Violante plans to use the team's first win to gain some momentum going into the rest of the season but says there's still work to do.

"We're going to keep working hard," he said, while also stating that they will get better defensively and train harder offensively.