Somers senior John Decker needed 52 points tonight to reach 1,000 for his career and surpass Dobbs Ferry’s Eric Paschall for the Section 1 scoring lead. Honestly, it seemed like such a crazy total – even for someone who just scored 44 points against the same team last month – that I decided not to tweet it last night. No big deal, I figured. He’ll get it on Friday. If not then, maybe next week in the Class A quarterfinals.
By now, you probably know what happened, but it’s worth repeating: Decker erupted for 59 points, adding to the Senior Night festivities with 10 3-pointers as his team beat North Salem 85-68.
Decker went 17 for 20 from the line, including 12 for 12 in the fourth quarter. He dropped four 3’s during that 24-point final quarter as Somers avenged its loss at North Salem last month.
“Everything felt like a free throw. It just felt good,” Decker said. “Warming up, my legs were underneath me. The past few games I hadn’t felt like myself, but I played really well today.”
Decker moved past Paschall, the newly-minted “Mr. Basketball,” who finished the regular season with an average of 25.3 points per game. Decker’s 59 gave him 463 on the season in 18 games, good for a scoring average of 25.7. He now has 1,007 points in his three-year varsity career.
Somers finished the regular season 13-5 in the first season under Chris DiCintio, the former Rye coach. It is the most victories for the program since 1992.
Decker hasn’t decided where he’ll play college ball yet, but he’s weighing interest from a handful of Division II schools. Pace appears to be the frontrunner.
UPDATED, 8:37 p.m.: According to both state and Journal News archives, Decker came just four points shy of tying the Section 1 all-time single-game scoring record. The mark is shared by Westlake’s Bill Schwarzkopf and Pearl River’s Jess Cohen, who both scored 63.
Salesian’s Greg Meyer holds the Westchester County scoring record of 68 points.
No Section 1 player has scored 60 or more points since Cohen did it in the 1987-88 season.
* * *
I’ll be back later with the official Section 1 tournament seedings and matchups.
* * *
Somers 85, North Salem 68: At Somers, John Decker scored a career-best 59 points, including the 1,000th of his career. The senior entered the game needing 52 points for 1,000 and reached the milestone during a 24-point fourth quarter.
Decker hit 10 3-pointers on the night and went 17 for 20 from the foul line, including 12 for 12 in the fourth quarter. His previous career best came last month when he scored 44 points in a loss at North Salem.
North Salem’s Umar Singh, who is also a 1,000-point scorer, had 37 points against Somers for the second straight game. Teammate Joey Tunas, who had 34 in the teams’ last meeting, finished with 16.
Keio 44, Hamilton 35: At Keio, Fumiaki Kobayashi scored 18 points. Haruyoshi Karube had seven points and four assists. Albert Franco scored 12 points for the Red Raiders.
Mamaroneck 64, Ossining 57: At Mamaroneck, Ryan Orgielewicz scored 26 points, including five 3-pointers. Noah Morton scored 18 points for the Pride.
Mount Vernon 74, Mount Vernon 61: At Mount Vernon, Traquann Scales and Yhanni Bartley each scored 13 points. Josh Doughty and Brandon Martin each added 11 points. Mike DeMello scored 24 points for the Tigers.
Irvington 59, Bronxville 53, OT: At Bronxville, Dylan Murray scored 25 points. Jon Goldreich scored 15 points for the Broncos.
Nyack 60, Pearl River 52: At Nyack, Terrence McNair had 15 points and Jahnai Henry had 12. Dashawn Rodriguez had 11 points and Jamar Joseph had 10. Kevin Degnan had 22 points and Jack Byrnes had 14 for the Pirates. Tom Davis had 12.
Briarcliff 68, Westlake 56: At Briarcliff, Jared Jones scored 25 points. Ryan Huegel had 10 assists. Richie Maio scored 19 points for the Wildcats.
Palisade Prep 61, Biondi 57: At Biondi, with its 13th win Palisade Prep won a share of the league 2A title. Kevin Sabino-Pena had 17 points and Fred Truss Jr. had 16. Isaiah Ward had 12 points. Johnnie Gray had 22 points and Ronald Garcia had 21 for the Lions.
Albertus Magnus 58, Nanuet 50: At Albertus Magnus, Brian McFadden scored 15 points. Jack Sullivan added 14 points. Tom McConnell (11 points) and Owen Lorenz (10 points) also scored in double figures for the Falcons.
Hen Hud 70, Croton-Harmon 60: At Hen Hud, Hunter Glashoff had 26 points. Kyle Monk had 19 while Carson Cole had 15. Ian Thom had 25 points for the Tigers. Jason Howald had 13 while Ben Goldberg had 10.
50 Comments
GREAT JOB,PLAYOFF TIME
How does JJEF not qualify for the sectional playoffs.
Only thing worst than play on the court, is behavior of certain parents.
Some people will never change, from youth sports to HS, can’t make your kid better by
kissing coach’s a—and bad mouthing other kids.
HRs,
IS THAT YOUR BROTHER THAT HOLDS THE RECORD AT 63 POINTS ?
Wood…yes it is
Scored 63 against Ardsley without a 3 pointer. Also got his 1000th point that game. My bro was also skipped, so he graduated as a 17 year old. So he lost a year in the long run.
BTW.. Josh thanks for recognizing my bro!
HRs,
That name rang a bell,LLLLLLOOOOOLLLLL
Yes sir! Always will be proud of him (on and off the court). We work together so I am fortunate to see him everyday(and my sis—- who could ball too!)
HRs,
I’m scared of your sons already,LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOllll
Wow . Mount Vernon struggled with lowly White Plains. Demello got 24 v MV?
Maybe it is time for a few old man mv groupies to SHUT UP.
TIGER FAN,
YOU LOST BY DOUBLE DIGITS AGAIN,AND WHEN YOU COME BACK TO MV ON FRIDAY,IT WILL BE DOUBLE DIGITS AGAIN,WHITE PLAINS IS A DONE DEAL
LOLOLOL… They are big boys
...like daddy.
HRs,
What years did your sister play?
She played from 90-93 at PR. She was very close to a 1000 pt scorer herself. Got to practice against us so it helped her toughness!
HRs,
Good luck with your boys,you deserve everything you have comming
Haywood, just got word Panas will play Hen Hud on Wednesday for sectionals as of now
JAMES,
PANAS-78 HEN HUD-55
thank you bud! Truly appreciate that! Your meal status has increased yet again!!!
HRs,
With a family like yours,you can’t lose,being rich in family is priceless
Nothing’s official yet.., how do yo know
UGHH,
KEVIN D HAS UNOFFICIAL BRACKETS
Is this blog a chat room for a few Mount Vernon lovers, or are all local high basketball followers permitted to chime in?
How about a 10 posts per day rule to rid this blog of the abusers that run off everyone else?
Disgusting that intelligent people cant get a word in edgewise.
IN ALL HONESTY,
DON’T TRY AND PUT DOWN MV PEOPLE,OUR TEAM JUST HAPPENS TO LAST THE LONGEST,YEAR, AFTER YEAR, AFTER YEAR,LOVE US OR LEAVE US ALONE
Wrong. You seem to last a lot longer and more frequently than your team. You are obnoxious and keep others from blogging..Get a life and let some other opinions come out on this blog!
In All Honesty,
You figured it out..this is a blog for MT vernon lovers only…?? Have you read any posts on this? There are more people bashing MTV than praising them. Read before you post. What is so intelligent about your 10 post per day suggestion? You must be from Iona Perp! Beat it..
IN ALL HONESTY,
CRY ME A RIVER,LLLLLLOOOOOLLLLL
25 comments.. 0 about Decker dropping 59 points.
BRACKETS ARE OUT
In all honesty…You are way off base with your comments…Im a Pok fan and i find these blogs are the only place i can go to find some discussion about the Pok football and basketball teams .and I find that the MVs fans on these blogs are class acts! ESPECIALLY HAYWOOD! They have a Great Tradition and Great Program every year ! And the MV fans should be Proud !
..
UPSTATE FAN,
NOW LETS GET THAT “CHIP”AND THANKS FOR THE COMPLIMENT,CHECKS IN THE MAIL,LLLLLLOOOOOLLLLL
59 points in a 32 minute game…..PeteMaravichesque!!
Congratulations young Mr. Decker on such a prolific evening.
LOOOOLLLLLL!
In all Honesty, bob, section 1 or whoever you are going by today… post something intelligent and you will get the responses you deserve.
you critiquing Haywood and MV fans isn’t intelligent, its foolish.
HRs,
B. I. N. G. O
ssssshhhhhh…..watch out for the Valley
J Smoth Congratulations Johnny D awesome performance and Graet year so far-Looking for a long run from the Tuskers!
Ur kidding Pace university for Decker, kid cannot create his own shot and cannot touch the rim, I thought Robbie Woods held the scoring record for section I, Nyack with 66 points back in 76.
Second comment, who are North Salem and how many shots did he take, he couldn’t handle TZ when they played defense
Vet coach,
NYack wasn’t in Sect 1 in ‘76.
I find your comments hard to believe about Decker. If a kid can fill it up as well as he obviously can, he can play DII basketball somewhere.
In All Honesty,
You come on a blog to say no one can make a comment in between the MV fans comments…not factual to begin. Try this, put your fingers on your keyboard, then push some buttons (hopefully the keystrokes form words), then press “send”! There will be no MV defenders in your living room or office pressing you – that would be something you could complain about.
I guess the joke about Decker being able to win a game by himself really is true. Wow, great work!
Vet coach – I was at the game. I saw with my own 2 eyes decker throw it off the backboard and dunk with 2 hands before the refs were in the gym. Don’t state things you don’t know for sure. He can create his shot. He may struggle a bit d2 at first but he will work his tail off and will get better and eventually become a good d2 player. As for who north salem is, they’re 10-8 and a class b contender. They played tough d, decker just couldn’t miss. Shot about 10-12 or 10-13 from 3. All from college or NBA range.
I think Decker will do fine at d-2. Saw Pace play earlier this season and think his game will translate well.
I <3 John Decker. We have been on a few dates. Btw ive been posting as AA. Catcha Later boys ;)
Deckerrrrrrr
haywood you need to get a life.
I feel like Haywood comments on everything LOL find a hobby dude feel bad for you
Andrew, etc… Please don’t attack a reader. If you don’t like what someone writes, move on.
Haywood wear a yellow shirt on friday make sure you stand out
Josh
Boy are you quick to speak out against negativity towards your readers but allow it to spew out regarding the high school athletes. You obviously have your priorities out of whack. Time to realign.
GAEL/ANDREW/JACK,
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY,I LOVE YOU ALL,LLLLLLOOOOOLLLLL