Rye Neck Seniors Bring Respectability Back

When Rye Neck's six seniors entered the school three years ago, they saw the varsity boys basketball team go 0-20. Now, the group will graduate knowing it has brought the program back to respectability.

The Panthers (6-13) made the playoffs for the second straight season by winning four of their last seven games — despite having just eight players on the roster and being the smallest school in Class B.

"The passion they played with, their leadership on and off the court, they brought a lot of excitement back to the program," coach John Aguilar said.

The seniors comprised six of the eight players on the roster, and the improvement they brought to the court helped grow attendance at games.

Because the team was so senior-heavy, it was fitting that the highlight of the season came on Senior Night. Playing Hawthorne Cedar Knolls just two days after losing to Hamilton at the buzzer, the Panthers won 69-67 behind 21 points each from seniors Justin Franks and Andrew Spinelli.

"It was great for a team with six seniors," Aguilar said. "We had a great crowd and a lot of excitement."

Franks was an all-league center with very good post moves and an ability to hit the 3-pointer. He was one of two players to average a double-double along with Ryan Pennell, who had 10 points and 11 rebounds a game. Pennell is committed to play baseball for Elon next season.

Another multi-sports star was Spinelli, who will be playing football for Endicott. Spinelli was the emotional leader on the court.

Sixth man Alex Reca was a solid all-around player, and the team didn't miss a beat when he entered the game. Starting shooting guard Harry Kerr was one of the most athletic kids on the team, and George Rainaldi was the team's best defensive player.

The team's two underclassmen were sophomore Brendan Crowley, the starting point guard who led the team in 3-pointers, and freshman Josh Barach, a forward who improved from the beginning of the season. The team will obviously be inexperienced next year, but Aguilar is hopeful he can continue the positive momentum.

After that 0-20 season, Rye Neck won five games the next year, and then won its final two games last season to make the playoffs.

Though the record was similar this season, it came against the toughest schedule Rye Neck had played in years. The school was moved up to Class B because of increased enrollment, and the Panthers had to face Class A teams and even Class AA Mamaroneck.

Rye Neck defeated Westlake, Keio, Hawthorne Cedar Knolls and Greenburgh in the final month to qualify for the postseason, where it lost to Briarcliff 69-52 in the first round.

"Given the schedule that we had, making the playoffs was one of our goals," Aguilar said. "We were happy to obtain that given the competition."