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Unbeatens clash Saturday in hoops showcase
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The newly-renovated Monroe Athletic Complex at New Ro City will host an intriguing three-game basketball showcase – "Hoops for a Cure" on Saturday, Jan. 7. All proceeds from the event benefit juvenile diabetes research (JDRF).
It all starts with a matchup of longtime rivals tips it off with unbeaten Tuckahoe squaring off against undefeated Blind Brook at 3 p.m.
Tuckahoe, the defending Section 1 Class C champs, is coming off wins over Class AA powers North Rockland and Horace Greeley during the holiday break. Blind Brook, a Class B program, is 6-0 after beating Sleepy Hollow in a Slam Dunk challenge game last week at the Westchester County Center.
The second game is a Class AA matchup between Scarsdale and New Rochelle at 5 p.m. The Huguenots, who are 3-2 entering Wednesday's matchup with rival Mount Vernon, beat Scarsdale 53-40 on Dec. 14.
The showcase concludes with two rising Class A programs with Saunders meeting Eastchester at 7 p.m. Saunders is 5-1 entering Wednesday’s matchup with Ardsley. The Blue Devils went on the road to the Binghamton region last week and defeated Johnson City in a 60-59 thriller.
Eastchester is one of the few teams in the conference that has a point guard that can contend with Saunders standout Jerrell Benitez. The matchup between Eagles sophomore Jack Daly and Benitez should be a highlight of the event.
Check back on Saturday night for highlights and interviews from the event. Get updates from the showcase on Twitter: @MSGVarsityKDJ
Hoops for a Cure
When: Saturday, Jan. 7
Where: Monroe Athletic Complex, New Roc City
Game breakdowns:
Game 1: Tuckahoe vs. Blind Brook
Time: 3 p.m.
Key players: Tuckahoe – Sky Williams (5-11), Sr., G; Justin Nolan (6-2), Sr., F; Shyheim Nixon (5-9), Jr., G. Blind Brook – Antoine Saliba (6-4), Sr., F; Sam Adler (5-8), Jr., G; Brennan Schaenmann (6-7), Jr., C.
Scouting report: Two of the hottest teams in the section square off in a clash of small-school powerhouses. Tuckahoehas proven it can run the floor and defend with just about anyone, beating Class AA schools North Rockland and Greeley. It will be pivotal for Blind Brook to slow the pace and not let the Tigers get out in transition where they’re at their best. Containing Williams, an all-section player as a junior, is a must.
Game 2: Scarsdale vs. New Rochelle
Time: 5 p.m.
Key players: Scarsdale – Robert Plummer (5-11), Jr., G; Jack Hewitt (6-6), Jr., C; Alex Squadron (5-8), Jr., G. New Rochelle – Joe Clarke (6-2), Jr., F; Kirkland Ottey (5-11), Sr., G; Chris Elefante (5-10), Sr., G.
Scouting report: Both teams are desperate to find some consistency after a rocky start to the season. The Raiders, who lost 53-40 in the first meeting with New Rochelle, must limit turnovers and contain Huguenots forward Joe Clarke, who was terrific last week in the Slam Dunk.
Game 3: Saunders vs. Eastchester
Time: 7 p.m.
Key players: Eastchester – Jack Daly (6-0), Soph., G; Dave Solano (6-2), Sr., F; Nick Campana (5-11), Soph., G/F. Saunders – Jerrell Benitez (5-10), Sr., G; Mike Sullivan (6-0), Sr., G; Rahbir Hamman (6-5), Jr., F.
Scouting report: Two teams looking to state their case as contenders in Class A square off in the final game of the event. Saunders, which improved to 5-1 with a win at Johnson City, has been too quick for most of the teams they’ve played so far. The Blue Devils face one of the top 1-2 combos in the conference in Solano, a 1,000-point career scorer, and Daly, a sophomore in his second season as starter. The Benitez-Daly matchup will be a highlight of the event.
Email Kevin Devaney Jr. at kdevaney@cablevision.com
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