Every week, Dan and I each pick a Player of the Week based on the previous seven days…except this week. With the regular season extended by a day, we extended the POTW period, too. Was it a factor? You’ll have to read below to find out.
In the meantime, remember that you can tweet us your suggestions and nominate players for the honor @LoHudInsider and @LoHud_DeFran, hashtag #POTW.
Josh’s POTW: Ian Thom, Croton-Harmon —
No doubt that Dan’s selection had the performance of the week — and the season — but Thom’s best certainly ranks in the Top 5. He’s scored a career-best 44 points and missed just six shots, shooting 16 for 22 in a 67-53 win over Roosevelt. Despite the senior guard’s accuracy, he was hardly just dropping in layups. The performance included seven 3-pointers. He even grabbed 10 rebounds. His scoring total tied him for second on Croton’s all-time single-game scoring list.
So…impressive? Certainly. But it still would not have been enough to surpass Decker in my opinion. Thom needed more, but he provided it, backing up his 44-point effort with 25 points and six assists at Westlake. He last two points ultimately denied the Wildcats a Class B playoff berth. Thom hit a floater to beat the OT buzzer and stun Westlake 56-54.
Thom finished off the week with 25 points in a loss to Hen Hud. He averaged 31.3 points for the week.
Dan’s POTW: John Decker, Somers —
When Josh told me we would wait until Tuesday to pick our Player of the Week I remember thinking, “What could possibly happen in one game that would alter my decision?”
What happened was John Decker.
Last night was really the stuff movies are made of. Decker entered the game 52 points shy of 1,000 career points and sitting just behind the recently named “Mr. Basketball” Eric Paschall for the scoring title. Oh yeah, did I mention it was Senior Night for the Tuskers as well? Like I said, just like the movies.
Decker would go out and score 59 points against against North Salem, four points shy of Section 1’s single-game all-time scoring record. Not only did he surpass the 1,000-point mark, the senior also passed Paschall to finish the regular season averaging 25.7 points per game.
Did Decker have a great overall week? No. He was held to eight points, and only one field goal, in a 55-36 loss to Mahopac on Tuesday. On Sunday Decker wouldn’t fare much better, scoring 14 points in a 47-44 loss to Tappan Zee.
Still, if there was ever a single-game performance that was deserving of the POTW award, it was Decker’s.
To put it all in perspective, I leave you with this stat: Decker outscored nine of the local TEAMS that played on Monday.
2012-13 Players of the Week
Dec. 17 —
John Decker, Somers
Jay Cabell, Peekskill
Dec. 24 —
Demarcus Miller, Stepinac
Brian Daniels, Briarcliff
Jan. 2 —
Jack Sullivan, Albertus Magnus
John Decker, Somers
Jan. 7 —
Brendan Hynes, Mahopac
Jan. 14—
Vaughn Dweck, Panas
Umar Singh, North Salem
Jan. 21 —
Dane Williamson, Gorton
Max Twyman, Rye
Jan. 28 —
Joe Letizia, Tappan Zee
Ryan Simone, Mahopac
Feb. 4 —
Josh James, Stepinac
Jack Daly, Eastchester
9 Comments
CONGRATS,TO BOTH YOUNG MEN,AND GOOD LUCK IN THE PLAYOFFS
I think Matthew de Marte from Lakeland is in serious contention for POY. He was section 1’s most prolific shot-blocker averaging 9.4 swats a game. The kid was a beast in the paint. Also, His mullet was easily top 5 nicest haircuts in the state. With him and star center Jack Harrison and sharpshooter Alex Cohen Lakeland looks real dangerous next year.
After this game Decker deserves Mr. Basketball, do people disagree?
I was at the game and have been at a few games that John Decker played. Yeah he had a couple bad games thi year, but seriously if you carried a team all year long you would get tired as well. He truly is MR Basketball, but again they voted to soon, and the lower hudson valley players always gets th vote. Umar Singh s also another amazing player that was over looked. If you look at Brendan Hynes numbers , he doesn’t come close to the player that Decker is…...he has a good support system with his other players.
Decker won POTW honors 3 times this season, very impressive.
Hynes doesnt have the numbers becuase Mahopac runs through the teams in their league so Hynes ends up playing limited miunutes. Hynes is the best player on the best team in the League. Their head to head matchups are all you need to look at. As great and incredible as it is that decker got 59, its more embarassing for North Salem to let him score that much. He is the only player on that team, Mahopac shut him down the last 3 times he has played them. Its no secret, poor coaching on North Salems part
John D. does not deserve to be MR. Basketball.North Salem should be ashamed of themselves for LETTING him score 59!!!!
He shot 10-12 from 3. And no 3 he made was within 3 feet of the highschool 3. On that night if decker caught the ball it was going in. Career night for a great player
[...] Letizia, Tappan Zee Ryan Simone, Mahopac Feb. 4 — Josh James, Stepinac Jack Daly, Eastchester Feb. 12 — Ian Thom, Croton-Harmon John Decker, Somers Feb. 18 — Rickey McGill, Spring Valley and Joe [...]