Boys Basketball: Briarcliff Overcomes Tough Start

It couldn't have been a more heartbreaking beginning to a team's season than the game Briarcliff (4-3) played in its opener against Mahopac at the Second Annual Carolyn Conroy Memorial Tournament at Lakeland High School Dec. 3.

With the game tied at 51-51, seemingly headed into overtime, Mahopac's Ryan Wagner threw a half-court heave instead that went into the net for a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Indians a thrilling 54-51 triumph.

While that was a disheartening loss for Briarcliff, the Bears have bounced back nicely, winning four of their next six games, enabling them to go into the winter break with a winning record of 4-3.

Briarcliff Coach Matt Evangelista said one big reason why the Bears were able to enter the break with a winning record is because of the senior leadership on the team. Heading up that leadership are senior co-captains, power forward Tim Blair and point guard Thomas Wen.

"They have been through a few things like that (the loss to Mahopac)," Evangelista said. "Last year we lost our first game and wound up 16-4. They talked about that with their teammates. They learned what happened from last year that you can rebound from a loss like that."

What helps to rebound from an opening-night loss like that is besides the leadership they provide, Blair and Wen also bring to the court plenty of talent.

Blair does a little bit of everything for the Bears according to Evangelista.

"He's 6-foot-5, but has guard skills and can shoot the ball," Evangelista said. "He can handle it against pressure. He's the guy we look to when we need a basket, we try to get him the ball. He's been doing a nice job with that."

Looking to get Blair the ball is Wen, who is the quarterback of the Bears' attack.

"Thomas is great," Evangelista said. "He runs the show, he makes sure everyone is in position, he calls good plays, sets up his teammates well and he's been shooting the ball well too, something he has improved on since last year."

Sophomore Brian Daniels, a 6-foot-4 forward who is a transfer from Walter Panas, joins Blair in the frontcourt to give the Bears two awesome players upfront.

"Brian is just a real presence inside for us," Evangelista said. "He can rebound. He can score in the post. He is starting to get a mid-range game which is nice."

Sophomore Ryan Huegel also plays a key role for the Bears at his starting shooting guard position after being the team's sixth man last year. Huegel can not only shoot the rock but he also can play a solid game of defense to.

"He's been defending the other team's best guard," Evangelista said. "He has a high basketball IQ."

Junior forward Tyreik Johnson, sophomore swingman Louis Carrafiello, sophomore guard Spencer Kulman and junior forward/center Paul Henshaw have also contributed key minutes to the Bears at the beginning of the year.

After a two-week layoff, Briarcliff will resume its season when it travels to Westlake for a 4:30 p.m. tip off on Jan. 5.

"We will definitely have practices during the break," Evangelista said. "We are young. Four of our top eight players are sophomores so the practices we'll be good for them."

Evangelista said that the break will be good for his team as whole too since it will give it a chance to work on its game after starting the season earlier than normal.

"The season started so fast this year, the break will give us a good chance to polish everything," Evangelista said. "I am looking forward to the break. Hopefully we can get a little bit better executing."