Varsity Insider

So much attention has been heaped on the final shot and the final score of Sunday’s Class AA championship, and rightfully so. But I figured it was time to take everyone through how New Rochelle and Mount Vernon even found themselves in position to fashion that kind of finish.

Namely, it required some remarkable play by the Huguenots; poor ball-handling by the Knights; the loss of two Mount Vernon big men; and some blood, sweat and, ultimately, tears by players and coaches on both sides.

So, here’s a play-by-play of every key moment in the final 3:52 of New Rochelle’s stunning 61-60 win:

* * * * *

3:52 - Mount Vernon’s Jalen David (pictured left) scores on a layup. He is fouled, but misses the free throw. Mount Vernon, 59-49.

2:54 - After New Rochelle’s Joe Clarke hits 1 of 2 free throws, Mount Vernon commits a turnover. Timeout, New Ro. Mount Vernon, 59-50.

2:30 - New Rochelle’s Donny Powell is fouled by Mount Vernon’s Yhanni Bartley. It’s Bartley’s fifth and he fouls out. Powell hits 1 of 2. Mount Vernon, 59-51.

1:33 - Clarke scores on a layup as he is fouled by Mount Vernon’s Brandon Martin. It’s Martin’s fifth and he fouls out. Clarke completes the three-point play. Mount Vernon, 59-54.

1:09 - Mount Vernon commits a turnover on its second straight possession. Mount Vernon, 59-54.

:54.3 - New Rochelle’s Derek Dorn misses a 3-pointer. Clarke grabs the offensive rebound and is fouled. He hits the first free throw and Mount Vernon coach Bob Cimmino calls a timeout. After play resumes, Clarke hits the second. Mount Vernon, 59-56.

:35.0 - Shortly after another Mount Vernon turnover (it’s 28th) with 41.8 seconds remaining, New Rochelle coach Rasaun Young calls a timeout. Mount Vernon, 59-56.

:28.9 - Mount Vernon’s Josh Doughty strips Powell at midcourt (pictured right). They chase the loose ball in the backcourt and both dive for it. Doughty is called for a loose ball foul, sending Powell to the line. He misses the first. Cimmino calls another timeout. Powell hits the second. Mount Vernon, 59-57.

:19.7 - David drives, but he’s called for an offensive foul with Clarke and New Rochelle’s Drew Peterson camped out in the paint. It is Mount Vernon’s 29th turnover. New Rochelle ball. Mount Vernon, 59-57.

:03.7 - New Rochelle’s Khalil Edney misses a 16-foot jumpshot from the right baseline. The shot bounces long and the offensive rebound is snatched by Dorn. He goes up for a shot in traffic and is fouled. Dorn hits the first and Cimmino calls timeout. Dorn then misses the second, which is rebounded by David, who is quickly fouled by Edney. Mount Vernon, 59-58.

:02.9 - David misses the first free throw. He then hits the second. Young calls New Rochelle’s last timeout. Mount Vernon, 60-58.

:02.9 - After the timeout, Edney throw a baseball-style inbound pass toward Clarke as his bolts toward halfcourt. The ball is deflected by David and caught by Mount Vernon’s Devonte Banner. Banner throws a two-handed chest pass toward teammate Traquann Scales in the backcourt, but Edney, running forward from the baseline, leaps in front of Scales to steal the ball. He heaves the ball forward with two hands from 10-15 feet beyond halfcourt and sinks it. New Rochelle, 61-60???

:00.0 - The basket was initially disallowed by official Bill Sacco. Amidst much confusion, not to mention dueling celebrations, Sacco confers with partners Vin Cannizaro and Scott Moroney, who both felt Edney released the shot in time. The officials overturn the call, awarding New Rochelle with the basket and the victory. FINAL: New Rochelle, 61-60.

* * * * *