Sports
White Plains Sneaks Past Poughkeepsie, 47-43 (VIDEO)
White Plains Tigers finishes strong in the 13th Annual Slam Dunk Tournament: Wins Consolation Game
The White Plains Tigers faced off against the Pioneers of Poughkeepsie in the consolation game of the 13th Annual Slam Dunk Tournament in the Westchester County Center. Westchester County Parks, along with a number of other sponsors, kicked off this this 4-day basketball tournament between 24 Hudson Valley high schools Monday, Dec. 26.
The Tigers walked away with a 47-43 win.
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From the opening tip, the game was played at a hasty pace. Both teams looked to push the ball up court as soon as they possessed it.
“It was a goal of ours to get to the rim,” said White Plains Coach Spencer Mayfield. “I’m only ever trying to get the next win. The kids fought hard in this one and we got the win. [Williams] had a good game for us tonight. They played well.”
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White Plains trailed 19-17 at the half. Despite the low scoring, the game was action packed. Both teams were hitting the deck for loose balls and completely sacrificing their bodies by trying to take charges.
White Plains’ Anthony Williams led all scorers at the half with eight points on 3-6 from the field and 2-2 at the line. 11-16 free-throw shooting is the only thing that kept the Tigers in the game as they shot only 21 percent from the floor. Turnovers were an issue for both sides and with 20 foul calls in the first half the game was played in spurts rather than establishing a flow.
Michael Scottman was fouled on his way to the basket but was able to finish. Scottman failed to convert the three point opportunity but Poughkeepsie turned the ball over and Kyle Adams was fouled, finished at the hoop and converted his 3-point opportunity.
“Coach told us to attack the 2-3 zone and I just made sure to remember that,” said Scottman. “I was finding room out there and I just attacked the basket and was able to score some points.”
Williams continued to dominate the paint in the second half and finished the night with 13 points, 11 rebounds and a crucial block with under a minute to play. He added a free throw that made it a 2-possession game and put the Pioneers on ice.
“He’s a senior and we know he can do a lot for us,” said Scottman. “That was a big block at the end and he was able to come through and win the game with his late free throws. We expect a lot out of him and he came through tonight.”
