Tigers Suffer Playoff Heartbreaker

The Mamaroneck varsity boys basketball team suffered defeat to the Mahopec  Indians in Class AA sectional play, 46-42, Friday. 

It was a game up and down throughout with the difference being what team made plays and which one didn't.

Unfortunately, it was the Tigers in this case.

"Mahopec made plays in the fourth quarter and we didn't," said Mamaroneck Head Coach Tyrone Carver. 

 The Tigers led by three 7-4 with under three minutes to go in the first. It would be their largest lead as Mahopec pulled to within one at 2:12, 7-6. The Indians would eventually pull ahead 8-7 at 1:39, but Tiger Oliver Shirley made it 9-8 on a key offensive rebound. The Indians quickly capitalized for a 10-9 lead at the end of the quarter.

Mahopec seemed to take control of the game in the second as the Tigers trailed 12-18, but a two from Alex Lanni cut it to 14-18. Sam Gruppo was then fouled at 1:06, netting both shots and putting the Tigers within reach of regaining control. 

After a Mamaroneck timeout, the Tigers trailed 20-16, but ended up tying it 20-20, going into the half after a last second shot by the Indians was no good.

Shirley was fouled coming out of the half. He went 1-for-2 at the line, giving the Tigers a 21-20 lead. The Indians then took the lead 22-21, but would foul Gruppo who put the Tigers up 23-22. With the team pressing, Jared Mascali then netted a two with under three minutes to go in the quarter for a 25-22 Tiger lead. 

The Indians fouled Shirley again, who missed both free throws, but rebounded the ball, putting it up for two as Mamaroneck maintained their 27-22 lead at under two minutes.

The Tigers kept their lead even though the Indians cut the margin down to two 28-26 heading into the final quarter of play.

A 3-pointer by Matt Mezansky gave Mamaroneck a large lead with less than a minute gone by in the fourth. The Indians fought back however, eventually taking the lead again with under six minutes left to play, 33-31.

The Indians then went ahead 37-31 after Ryan Wagner made two at the line on a Tiger foul at 4:31.

Mamaroneck would get to within six with under two minutes to play, 41-35. After a timeout, the Tigers pressed at the top of the key pulling to within four 41-37. 

Mezansky came up big again, netting a three with nine seconds left and narrowing the lead to four, 44-40. Shirley got it to within three on another trip to line going a perfect 2-for-2 for a 45-42 in favor of the Tigers, who benefited from their press defense all over the court.

Mahopec shot one more time with three seconds left. The Tigers tried one last shot, but it was no good, as their season ended with a hard fought 46-42 defeat.

Shirley led the Tigers with 17 points; Gruppo scored eight; Mezansky scored seven, with Lanni and Mascali having five.