Here’s Nancy Haggerty’s story on Poughkeepsie’s win over Eastchester in the Class A semifinals:
WHITE PLAINS — It was a nice, long, overdue trip.
But Wednesday, Eastchester’s dream season ended at Westchester County Center as the No. 2 Eagles fell in the Class A semifinals 61-48 to No. 3 Poughkeepsie.
Eastchester, which hadn’t reached the section semifinals since 1974, might have been ranked higher than the Pioneers but its only loss during a remarkable, 19-win season had been to the Dutchess squad.
Poughkeepsie, now 18-2, entered the second quarter knotted at 16. But that was the last time Eastchester was even.
Eastchester simply couldn’t contain Poughkeepsie’s speedy guards, Jahleel Carter, who hit for 16 points, and Jermar Dancy, who had 15.
Poughkeepsie followed the script written by its coach, Brian Laffin, who, prior to the game, said the Pioneers would take a chapter from Eastchester’s playbook, pressuring the ball.
“We’ve got to make it into a track meet — expand the floor,” Laffin said, joking that he would look for a “lot of run” but not necessarily a lot of gun.
“We’ve got to run with good shots,” he said.
And Poughkeepsie did that while Eastchester went cold in the second quarter, scoring only five points, while missing multiple 3-point tries.
In part, it failed to control the boards, something that Eagles coach Fred DiCarlo said would be necessary to win.
Poughkeepsie took a 33-21 lead into the half, getting a huge spark from Devin Lawrence on the boards and elsewhere. At one point, Lawrence, who had 10 points, converted his steal into a Poughkeepsie crowd-pleasing dunk.
The Eastchester crowd was brought back into the game with a little more than two minutes left in the third quarter as Jack Daly, who was limited to an uncharacteristic two first-half points, drained a 3-pointer, was fouled and converted the foul shot to pull the Eagles to within five at 44-39.
But Poughkeepsie, which lost in last year’s sectional final to Tappan Zee, pulled ahead 50-39 before the quarter ended, its last two points coming with a Dancy steal and layup.
Eastchester never drew closer than 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Daly, who led Eastchester with 16 points, praised the Pioneers and pointed to their experience in sectional play as being a difference maker.
“We gave it all we could,” he said. “Their sportsmanship, their athletic ability — they’re great people. They took the ball very aggressively. As a young team, we can learn from them.”
Michael Milo finished with 10 points (all in the first half) for the Eagles. Kevin Teahan added 8.
Photos courtesy of Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News. For a complete gallery, click here.
75 Comments
STATESMAN/HRs,
I’m treating on Sunday,but states gotta get it
Hrs,
NO THEY ARE PLAYING ALSO BUT I DON’T KNOW THE OTHER 3 TEAMS,SEC.2
Ok I found it….
Thursday at Times Union Center
B3 Green Tech vs. B1 CBA, 6:30
B2 Troy vs. S1 Shaker, 8
FINAL
March 4
at Times Union Center, 8:15
States, HRs
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who thought the Peekskill bigs were not good. In the 1st quarter, they were set up with decent passes and missed everytime. I don’t like talking about kids like that, but I have no idea who found any reason to hype up Peekskill’s front court. Even without Groll, Peekskill’s bigs would’ve been irrelevant.
I’m trying to find a way though. I know you guys will keep me posted!
I was sitting behind the scorers table, a few rows back from the legendary Tom Konchalski!! I wanted to start a conversation with him, but he looked busy.lol If I knew I would’ve sat with you guys. I bet you guys had a BLAST talking it up! As of now it looks like I may not make it Sunday
Bawler,
I love your coach and your teams physical style. Throw every sling you have, you have nothing to lose! Pac will continue to get better because they will play anyone, anytime, anywhere. Thats what the best always do!
HRs,
True, Lynch has range for days and can drop those dimes. BH is in great condition but if we can work them so the bench becomes a factor, I think it’s advantage PK.
Rocket,
I think Holt’s knee really hampered him. He wasn’t himself. Muhammad had Skelly on him once and couldn’t convert. Nuff said.
Wood,
You treatin’, I’m eatin’ I’ll make the run lol.
Rocket
Thanks …look down the track ..there’s a big diesel train with a royal blue” M” on the front ..I think were gonna be a tough out !
STATESMAN,
DOUBLE HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HRs,
TONIGHT IS DO OR DIE FOR MOST
Rocket, bigs struggled but they wouldn’t have really gotten the ball anyway(unless it was on a rebound). They are not worked in properly and nothing intentionally runs through them. Too many chucked 3s less than 15 seconds into the shot clock for my liking.
You were right below us. Big Tom, he is a huge fan of my pops. He came down to see my brother his senior year at Pearl River. Doesn’t show up their too often. Think he will finally be back to see Degnan though! We enjoyed the games that is for sure and with POK winning, States was in an extra happy mood.
States like in the Eastchester game, they should run until the cows come home. And if they attack the interior its advantage POK. I really feel Coach Laffin has improved over the years with his game planning. He really is a true leader for that program.
HRs,
I’ve tried to tell folks that he’s not bad with the x’s and o’s. Coaches have confidence issues too. He’s really transformed, believing in your abilities is key. He and the rest of the fine staff will do well. Don’t need a multitude of guys on the bench for no reason. Young Hamilton also has to believe in himself too. I’ve seen him do some unreal things.
Even if Peeky worked it inside and kicked it out for a better look from 3, they’d be better suited. Very disapointed in their game plan. It is what it is. Hopefully, I’ll be in a merry mood and have an ecstatic ride back with Pioneer 77.
Wood,
Good looks big bro!
Going to bring my little man with me, so maybe you and Pioneer77 can teach him some moves. I sure can’t!!!
Pioneer is better then me. I can’t dance worth a lick, but I can take them home though, haha.
PK is a deep team, question can the six players from BH play 32 min vs the eight Pk starters. BH is disciplined as TZ w/ same type of big man. Grant it that Lynch and Skelly can shoot better but can they make up the 29 points TZ lost by, I did not count the 3 pointer hit at the buzzer by TZ. Can BH guard the quick Carter, can Lynch cover the quick Dancy, can Goldin cover the high flying Lawerence, Who is guarding the strength of Ray Knight, and can Goldin run all night against DI Fordam Bound Footballer Weir and Soph All-American WR Hamilton. Oh yea who covers Taylor and Smith when they come in…...........
Stateman u r right with, the Pioneer staff is a very experienced group. Spoke with Lou P after the game and he told me that one is a former pro overseas and had a son in the program that played four years of varsity, the other former big time AAU from Bronx that seasoned many a HS to College to the NBA. Match that with Coach Laffin and Lou says it matches MV and Peekskill. Your thoughts
Vet Coach,
My thought is that those variables plus the PK B-Ball Project will have PK reloading even more so. If you remember Elijah McLaurin, the tall guy with the scaldy is his dad. Wish we could get the Y back open so they’d really have a home.
All of them together might equal a Bob C, lol. Interesting to note PK’s margin of losses significantly dropped when the new team got together. Granted having Gause and co doesn’t hurt.
Margin of losses to MV?
*
I would agree the bench coaches r experienced, but maybe Gause and Company would not have been without coaching.
On Pachall, my bad he is a really good player, with prep he is A-10 level – MAAC would be a lock.
Vet,
Very true there.
HRs
GREEN TECH BEATS CBA. 64-60
BISHOP KEARNEY BEAT RUSH H.
Didn’t Peekskill or someone local beat Green Tech? From what I had read they liked CBA in that game…mild upset. Looks like Troy is going to get out of there alive.
HRs… Peekskill lost to Green Tech.
Thanks Josh, had wrong result. I thought they played them. Troy wound up smacking Shaker so Sec 2 final is Troy/Green Tech.
FYI: In one of the Section 9 Class A semifinals, Burke Catholic narrowly escaped an upset bid by Saugerties, 68-67. Link:
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130228/SPORTS31/302280349
Burke faces New Paltz in the Section 9 A final at noon on Saturday. Game is at SUNY New Paltz, so it should be interesting…
HR’s
Im sure Tom K loves your pops, who wouldnt man! He impacted lives at Gompers. I was really surprised to see Tom there. Like you said, he doesn’t come our direction that often. He usually stays in NYC and does a good amount of north Jersey too.
He started off just watching a lot of ball in NYC, he’d go to parks and stuff as a kid and watch playground battles, and now look at him. He’s a dying breed of old school basketball scout. When I was in Philly there was another guy (not as old as Tom though) named Ted Silary, these guys love local sports and do so much for the kids in their respective metro regions.