On Dec. 5, the Mamaroneck Tigers kicked off the basketball season in style, utilizing a balanced attack and swarming defense to top visiting Harrison 57-34. Although the winter campaign is just beginning, Tiger coach Tyrone Carver hopes that the squad’s opening win is a sign of things to come.
“I think we came out with great energy and effort today,” Carver said after the game. “We wanted to play good solid defense and keep them off the glass because they’re a good rebounding team. It was a good team effort, especially defensively, which is something we preach every day.”
The Huskies led a low-scoring game throughout much of the first quarter, as both teams struggled to convert on scoring opportunities in the opening minutes of the season. But Jared Bader, who finished the night with 17 points, began to find his rhythm from beyond the arc, sparking the Tigers with 10 first-quarter points.
“I think Harrison did some nice things early on and I think we pressed a little bit too much,” Carver said. “Guys were really looking forward to this game, so for the first couple of minutes I think they were trying to win the season in one or two possessions.”
Once the Tigers settled in, center Will Sarkozi (17 points, five rebounds) took over in the paint, adding another dimension to a Mamaroneck offense that relied on jump shots for much of the first half.
Carver believes that the junior big man will be integral to the Tigers’ success this year, as he complements the strong perimeter play of the club.
“It’s crucial, because we have a lot of guards that can play,” he said. “Having [Will] on the interior, where we can dump it down to him and have him clean up the garbage, that’s important.”
Isiah Thomas, who had nine points for Mamaroneck, also served as the team’s main facilitator, picking up seven assists in the opener.
Meanwhile, Harrison struggled from the foul line, but was led by point guard Luke McCarthy, who finished with nine points.
Both Mamaroneck and Harrison will be back in action this weekend, as both squads will head to White Plains High School for the 24th annual Harry Jefferson Showcase. On Friday, Dec. 8, the Tigers will take on Class C Tuckahoe, while the Huskies have a Saturday tilt lined up with Albertus Magnus.
