Daily Sports Digest: Local Basketball Teams Dominate The Weekend

The Daily Sports Digest is Patch’s way of increasing reader involvement in sports coverage. We would like to provide you with for you to add your best photos and/or videos to share. If you see anything in our high school scores, standings or schedule that requires updating, please e-mail Mark Rinaldi directly at HVDailySportsDigest@gmail.com or like us on Facebook and post updates on our wall. Marc Maturo covers college athletics across the nation. Please send updates of your local schools or players to marcmaturo@aol.com.

The Super Bowl Is Set

NBC got what they wanted yesterday as the New York Giants and New England Patriots both punched their tickets to Indianapolis thanks to late game plays made by kickers.

The Patriots made it to the big game thanks to a missed kick wide left by Billy Cundiff of the Ravens where the Giants got in thanks to Lawrence Tynes nailing one from 31 yards out.

If the script seems eerily familiar that’s because we all saw this story before, as these two teams faced off Feb. 3^rd 2008 in Glendale, Arizona. We all know what happened back then, but as every boxing promoter will tell you, the money is always in the rematch.

made the 2,905 mile trip from the Meadowlands to Candlestick Park, but now the question is…. Who’s going to Indy?

Jaspers on a roll

Liam McCabe-Moran of New Rochelle, a senior guard, is averaging six points and 2.5 rebounds per game for the Manhattan College men’s basketball team.

The Jaspers, who are 13-7 after defeating visiting Niagara, 71-64, for their fifth straight victory, will be in Buffalo on Friday to meet Canisius College (4-14) at 7:15 p.m. The Jaspers stay on the road for a game against Niagara University (9-11) on Sunday at 4 p.m.

McCabe-Moran also has 18 assists on the season, with 14 steals.

Bateman, Spartans on the run

Sophomore Keeley Bateman of Pearl River ran a personal best and set a school record as the St. Thomas Aquinas College track and field team acquitted itself quite well at The Great Dane Classic at the New Balance Center in upper Manhattan.

Bateman was timed in 2:20.52 in the 800, good for her 20th overall in a field of some of the best runners in the country. 

Freshman Kaitlyn Mancini ran a personal best in the 60 with a school standard record of 8.32.

The Lady Spartans’ 4x400 relay team of Catherine Sandkuhl of North Babylon, Bateman, Chelsea Klinger of Owego, and Ashley Stokkelan of Warwick ran their second-best time of the season, winning their heat in 4:18.82.

Not leaving the men to be undone, sophomore George Erazo of North Babylon continued his tremendous season by finishing sixth overall in a time of 48.81 of a field of some of the best 400 runners in the region.  

Freshman Alex Andre of North Rockland ran a very-fine 1:58.65 in the 800.

The Spartans return to action at the Terrier Classic at Boston University on Friday (Jan. 27) and Saturday (Jan. 28).

Kilpatrick, Bearcats brace for No. 1 Orange

Sophomore Sean Kilpatrick of White Plains and the University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team will have its hand full tonight as it hopes to bounce back from a 77-74 overtime loss to West Virginia (15-5) in Morgantown, W.Va.

The Bearcats (15-5) are being led offensively by Kilpatrick, an alum of Notre Dame Prep who is averaging 16 points per game. In the loss to West Virginia, Kilpatrick was held to 12 points, but posted nine assists and had two steals.

Syracuse carries a nearly flawless 20-1 record and the nation’s No. 1 ranking into the Bearcats’ Fifth Third Arena at 7 p.m. The game will be televised live on ESPN.

Getting limited playing time for the Orange is junior forward Matt Lyde-Cajuste of Mount Vernon, who has played only 10 minutes in eight games.

Junior Mookie Jones of Peekskill, who had appeared in seven games, averaging three points, has left the team for personal reasons. Given University policy and Federal student privacy laws, officials are unable to provide any further details at this time.

Cincinnati’s Kilpatrick will be much closer to home on Saturday, Jan. 28 when the Bearcats meet Rutgers (11-9) in Piscataway, NJ, at 6 p.m.

Yesterday’s Results:

Sport: Boys Basketball (Friday)

Game: Mamaroneck vs. Gorton

Score: Mamaroneck Won 55-50 (OT)

Highlights: Alex Lanni led Mamaroneck with 14 points as Matt Mezansky picked up 12 and Gerry McMullin added 11. Rashan McKay-Bennet led Gorton with 18.

Sport: Boys Swimming (Friday)

Game: White Plains vs. Mamaroneck

Score: Mamaroneck Won 97-86

Highlights: Joby Bernstein led Mamaroneck with wins in the 200 and 500 Freestyle. Andrew Hall came in first for White Plains in the 50 Freestyle.

Sport: Boys Basketball (Friday)

Game: Rye Neck vs. Westlake

Score: Rye Neck Won 87-78 (2OT)

Highlights: Brendan Crowley led Rye Neck with 27 points, and Matt Franks added 24. Rich Maio led Westlake in the loss with 25 and Tommy Hopkins added 22.

Sport: Girls Basketball (Friday)

Game: Bronxville vs. Rye Neck

Score: Rye Neck Won 38-29

Highlights: Marisa Bella led Rye Neck with 13 points and Paige O’Donnell added 11 as the Panthers cruised passed Bronxville. Claire Sargent led the Broncos with nine points.

Sport: Ice Hockey (Saturday)

Game: White Plains vs. Mamaroneck

Score: Mamaroneck Won 5-4

Highlights: Peter Conley scored twice and Brett Poniros led the defense with 16 saves as Mamaroneck edged out White Plains. Paul Variano led White Plains with three goals.