Porters' Season Ends; Community Forever Proud Of Amazing Year

GREENPORT, NY — The Porters may not have seen the win they'd hoped for in Binghamton Friday, but they scored a place in the hearts of Greenport supporters forever, for a season that will go down in history as one of glory and accomplishment.

Crowds of purple and gold bedecked fans headed north for the New York State tournament Friday, where the Greenport High School boys varsity basketball game played Lake George High School in a game that saw Lake George winning with a score of 73 to 58.

But despite the final score, the Porters were forever winners in the eyes of their ardent fans.

"I am extremely proud of this team, and not just for what they've done on the court this season, which was mighty impressive, but also for the effect they have had on our community as a whole," said Kim Moore Swann. "They revived a sense of pride among Porters, not just locally, but all around the country. In addition to a highly entertaining season, this group of men, players and coaches, has given us a renewed sense of community, and for that I am thankful to them."

(Photo by Kim Moore Swann).

Added Joan Dinizio, "Ahkee, Reese, Jordan, Myles, Joshua, Tyrus, Jaxan, Jude and Matt . . . thank you for a wonderful season. Literally, from coast to coast, you sparked the Porter spirit in a way I haven’t seen in a long, long time."

Jim Dinizio agreed. "They all played their hearts outs and were on the floor scrambling for the ball right up to the very end. They will be back again next year with the knowledge they learned from this year's past season. We should all be proud to have such a great bunch of players, coaches and fans to represent our little piece of heaven."

Bill Price, who attended the game, agreed. "The Greenport team played their hearts out," he said.

The season was filled with remarkable accomplishment.

Last week, Porter pride was in full swing and Greenport was decked out in purple and gold Saturday as the Greenport High School boys varsity basketball team soared to the next level, taking home the New York State SE regional championship, securing them a spot in the Class C final semifinals, in the final four.

The team won 78 to 63 against Alexander Hamilton at Pace University in Pleasantville, during an exciting game that decided their next step in a journey that was one of exciting success.

Greenport residents gathered at Moores Lane Saturday morning to give their boys a heartfelt sendoff, with horns honking and cheers of excitement and support filling the air.

And in the days leading up to the game, Porter pride was overflowing in Greenport, as residents displayed banners and purple and gold balloons, painted their nails purple and gold, and wore the colors reflecting their deep love for the hometown team that continues to make the village proud.

The team made; the entire starting lineup has received All-League honors this year. All League stars include Greenport guard Ahkee Anderson, Jordan Fonseca, Tyrus Smiley, Jaxan Swann and Jude Swann. All Conference was awarded to Ahkee Anderson, Jaxan Swann and Jude Swann. All County, to Ahkee Anderson, who also earned League VIII MVP. League VIII Rookie of the Year went to Tyrus Smiley; League VIII All Academic, to Matt Tuthill; and League VIII Coach of the Year, to Ev Corwin.

Patch courtesy photos.