Staten Island high school basketball teams showcased their skills in a series of competitive games at the Boardwalk Classic in Wildwood, New Jersey, and beyond. Notably, St. Joseph by-the-Sea, Moore, and MSIT emerged victorious, while Monsignor Farrell faced a tough defeat in Florida.
St. Joseph by-the-Sea Prevails in Close Contest
In a thrilling match, St. Joseph by-the-Sea edged out St. Michael Catholic with a final score of 47-45. Nick Rebracca led the charge, scoring a game-high 27 points and demonstrating versatility throughout the game. He contributed seven points in the first quarter, followed by five in the second, six in the third, and six in the fourth quarter. Rebracca maintained a perfect performance at the free-throw line, going 7 for 7, including all four attempts in the final moments.
Head coach Mike Cortese praised Rebracca, stating, “His teammates did a great job finding him in different spots on the court, and he earned some of the hard way by attacking the offensive boards.” The win brings St. Joseph by-the-Sea’s record to 1-1 in the tournament and 7-4 overall.
Moore Overcomes Abington Friends
In another exciting match, Moore triumphed over Abington Friends from Pennsylvania, securing a 60-55 victory. The team’s senior guards, Eenej Vinson, Matt Gibbons, and Nick DeGrado, were instrumental in the win, each contributing to Moore’s successful campaign with 14, 14, and 10 points, respectively.
The Mavs will continue their tournament journey with a matchup against Pennsbury High School on December 5 at 1 p.m., looking to improve their record of 2-6.
Monsignor Farrell Falls to Lake Howell
In Daytona, Florida, Monsignor Farrell faced a challenging game against Lake Howell, resulting in a 49-35 defeat. JJ Yates scored 16 points, including three three-pointers, but the Lions struggled to maintain their lead after halftime.
Despite leading 23-16 at halftime, Farrell could only manage two points in the pivotal third quarter, allowing Lake Howell to dominate with a 17-2 run. The loss ended Farrell’s five-game winning streak. They will return to the court on December 5 at 11:30 a.m. against Winter Haven.
MSIT Claims Victory in Christmas Showcase
The MSIT Seagulls secured a hard-fought 74-68 win against CSIM in the MSIT Christmas Showcase. Ray Guerriero led the Seagulls with a season-high 20 points, including nine crucial points in the fourth quarter. Dalton Cherubin added 19 points, while Nizayah Jordan contributed 11.
MSIT established an early lead with a 19-10 advantage after the first quarter. Despite a strong second quarter from CSIM, which saw Stanley Kushnir score 20 points, the Seagulls regrouped and maintained control in the final minutes. Coach Charlie Donohue emphasized the importance of learning to perform in close games as the team moves forward.
SIA Remains Undefeated Against Petrides
The SIA Tigers continued their winning streak, improving their record to 10-0 with a 75-67 victory over Petrides. Danny Nowak led the team with 19 points, while Gabe Moschella and Luke DeVito contributed 18 and 15 points, respectively.
Petrides’ Daynell Rowland had a standout performance, scoring 31 points, but the Tigers built a solid lead by halftime and held off a late charge from the Panthers. Coach Mike Mazella noted the team’s need for improvement despite their undefeated status, highlighting the importance of maintaining momentum as they prepare for their next game against Packer Collegiate in Brooklyn on December 12.
The games not only showcased the talent within Staten Island’s high school basketball programs but also set the stage for an exciting season ahead.
