The third time was the charm…for Mount Vernon that is.
After two performances that left something to be desired, the Knights played their best game against league foe White Plains today in the first round of sectionals. Here is my story.
MOUNT VERNON Despite defeating No. 14 White Plains twice this season, including earlier this week, No. 3 Mount Vernon showed no signs of overlooking the Tigers, as the Knights cruised to a 79-50 win in the first round of the Class AA sectional tournament.
“I just think, because it was playoffs, we wanted to go harder than we played them the last two times,” said Devonte Banner, who finished with a game-high 20 points. “You know if you lose, then it’s time to go home, so you play with more intensity.”
The Knights, who defeated White Plains 72-53 on Jan. 14 and 74-61 on Monday, put forth their best effort in the third meeting , according to coach Bob Cimmino.
“I was pleased with our offensive flow today,” Cimmino said. “I think we were considerably more intelligent with the ball than we were in the last meeting.”
Mount Vernon (17-1) will host No. 6 Fox Lane (15-4) Wednesday at 4:30 p.m in the quarterfinals.
Cimmino credited guard Josh Doughty (pictured above) with his team’s offensive success. Doughty, who was honored before the game along with five others as part of senior day, finished with 11 points, 12 assists and five steals.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” said Cimmino of Doughty sharing the ball. “He has an internal argument with himself often; he’d like to be the one (guard) and the two (guard) at the same time. He’s a very talented young man, and in our instance, when he distributes, we win.”
Playing a clean offensive game will be the key for Mount Vernon going forward, according to Cimmino, who is already confident in his team’s defense.
It was Doughty and fellow senior guard Traquann Scales (pictured above, right) who scored seven points each as the Knights jumped out to a 24-7 lead in the first quarter.
“We knew we had to bring it from the start,” Doughty said.
The Tigers (7-12) outscored Mount Vernon 18-11 in the second, cutting the Knights’ lead to 10. White Plains’ Mike DeMello, who finished with 16 points, led all scorers with eight at half.
With 57 total fouls called (White Plains 31, Mount Vernon 26), both teams had trouble getting into any type of rhythm. It wasn’t until midway into the fourth that Doughty and Banner helped spark a 17-0 run that opened things up.
“Our 1-2-2 press was there today,” Doughty said. “We got a lot of steals and deflections, so that’s how we got a lot of points.”
It wasn’t a perfect effort from the Knights, who struggled at times with the Tigers’ press and shot only 65 percent from the free-throw line. But for Cimmino, the bottom line was the Knights advanced.
“We survived,” Cimmino said. “Everything looks good the day after if you still have life.”
27 Comments
NICE 4TH QUARTER RUN,IF YOU WANT TO COMPETE WITH MV,YOU GOTTA HAVE THE HORSES IN THE BARN
To go along with your “horses in the barn” analogy, some teams like NewRo and W.P. are essentially ‘one trick pony’ squads [w/ Clarke & DeMello] and can be worn down later into the game by M.V.’s depth of talent.
A 17-0 run in the 4th quarter is quite impressive although my stomach does get tied up in knots when I read about 65% from the FT stripe. Don’t want to be shooting yourself in the foot with missing front ends of one and ones, particularly if they are in a tight contest.
‘Wood your gift for outcome predictions continues to be uncanny. Do you mind me riding your coat tails for a while?
Let’s hope these kids can play a consistent game for 32 minutes. They had a nice spurt but overall I think they just played ok. If they don’t bring the A game from here on, someone else could hoist the gold ball. I hope there is another gear, but the “take charge guy” has not showed up yet
MVHS65/SPACECADET,
“BUCKLE UP”AND RIDE ALONG,THERE MAYBE TWISTS AND TURNS,BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS ELEVATOR ONLY GOES UP FROM HERE ON,THE TAKE CHARGE GUY WILL SHOW AS SOON AS THEY HIT THE COUNTY CENTER FLOOR,ATTITUDES CHANGE AND THE SENIORS REALIZE THAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO GO HOME,SOMETHING TELLS ME THE LEADER IS A “JUNIOR”#GOLDNEVERCOMESEASY
The kid who is leaving an impression right now is Devonte Banner, ice from the free throw line and he quietly is getting 15 to 20 a game… I know your leaning towards Martin, but this kid is playing great at the right time. Brandon is pressing, and can get frustrated when they can’t get the ball inside to him and recently that has been the problem.
Kind of funny demello’s family moved to white plains so he can play for this marginal program.
SPACECADET,
BANNER IS THE “ONE”
lol..
I love the way the kids glides to the basket, always seems to be in control and does not make stupid decisions. brings back memories of Earl.. And that my friend is the ultimate compliment..
SPACECADET,
“WOW”SOUNDS GOOD TO ME,I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF HE WAS NOT ONE OF THE CAPTAINS NEXT YEAR,AND THE BEAT GOES ON
to carry that honor, leading on and off the court and especially your academics must be up to speed. I’ll keep you up on that.
When do I meet the great and might wood?
SPACECADET,
I WILL BE AT THE COUNTY CENTER MARCH 1 AND 3
Haywood,
Good luck to MV and bring home a State title. Do you know if WP has anyone on the JV squad that can make an impact next year? Thanks for any insight you can provide.
BILLYBARTY,
I CAN TELL YOU THAT WHITE PLAINS WILL BE MUCH BETTER NEXT YEAR,A LOT OF THOSE PLAYERS ARE COMMING BACK AND WP DID PLAY WELL AT THE END OF THE SEASON,
BILLY- FOX LANE WILL NOT BE MORE OF A CHALLENGE TO MV AS WAS WP,MV COULD PUT UP 100 ON WEDNESDAY
Doughty is the Key. He needs to distribute & play point. This game was never in doubt. Let’s see what Fox Lane can do. Wonder if Demello still thinks the Knights are overrated? He made some stupid comments after their 1st loss, now he’s got 3 losses w/ the last one being a season ending LOSS
Haywood,
Guarantee you won’t be talking any junk after the Semi finals. You sure you are still going to show up for the finals after a loss?
Space Cadet,
You are right about someone else hoisting that gold ball. And that someone is going to be North Rockland!
TONY BRUIN,
YOU HAVE TO BEAT SCARSDALE FIRST,I JUST CHECKED,YOUR TEAM BEAT UP ON A LOT OF CLASS A TEAMS,TIME TO PUT ON THE BIG BOY PAINTS,I WOULD HATE TO SEE WHAT YOUR TEAM WOULD LOOK LIKE IN “TIGHTS”LLLOOOLLL
Not sure what that means Hayweird but unfortunately this is just not your year to be on the band wagon bro
Haywood,
FYI, typing your posts in caps does not make them any more readable
MIKE/TONY,
I ALWAYS USE THE BIG LETTERS,JUST REMEMBER BALCONY CENTER COURT,COME ON UP,
LOOKING AHEAD;
MOUNT VERNON-77 NORTH ROCKLAND-64
NR 63. MV 56. Sorry bro just not your year
TONY,
MOUNT VERNON BEAT SCARSDALE
74-44 THE FIRST TIME THEY PLAYED,REMEMBER THAT WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE FINAL SCORE OF YOUR GAME,30 POINTS
HAYWOOD, whats up with the CAPS? You stealing BIG JOES trademark?
I gotta wonder what they are drinkin over in Rockland what with all the smack the Rockhead fans are talkin on the girls blog and the wrestling blog. Now The Rock fans callin out Mt Vernon!!!! Please. Message to Rock fans save the coin and don’t bother coming to The County Center.
Continued…too bad the Scarsdale girls put a beat down on North Rockland yesterday. Would haved liked nothing better than to have The Rock ladies to come to THE O this week and find out what girls B’Ball is al about.
I tbink there will be blood in the water at THE O Wednesday vs Scarsdale. I see 100+ and Chong puttin up 63.
CHIEF,
ALWAYS RIGHT ON TIME,I WOULD LOVE FOR OSSINING TO GET THAT STATE “CHIP”THAT WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE SEND OFF,GOOD LUCK,I’LL BE ROOTING.
Thanks, Haywood! North Rockland isn’t beating MV.