Boys Basketball’s Saturday Victory Sets the Stage for Busy Thursday in Sports
The #3 Rye Boys Basketball Team was victorious on Saturday, February 22, defeating #14 Lakeland 55-33 in round one of the Class AA tournament to advance to the Elite Eight. The Garnets outscored the Hornets 18-4 in the third quarter to pull away in the absence of productive junior Henry Shoemaker.
“Ben Hudson stepped in for injured Henry Shoemaker and stepped up as he has done on many occasions this season,” Head Coach Tommy Proudian told MyRye.com on Tuesday. Hudson led Rye with 16 points, including four three pointers in the first half.
Carson Miller was the only other Garnet to enter double digit figures in the points column on Saturday with 10, as Rye relied on their tough defense to secure the win.
“We adjusted our defense in 2nd half and went to our full court press and half court trap,” Proudian told MyRye.com. “We held Lakeland to four 3rd quarter points that turned a 2 point halftime lead to a 16 point lead after 3 quarters.”
The impressive defensive performance allowed Rye to advance to the quarterfinals despite a tough day shooting from the floor.
The #3 Garnets (15-6) next play at home on Thursday, February 27, at 5:00pm. Proudian and his group host #6 Nyack, who just defeated Eastchester in overtime. Watch the win over Lakeland here. View the Class AA bracket here.
The game is the first leg of a triple-header at home for Rye sports: after the boys basketball game at five, the girls team plays at 6:45pm against Yorktown. The hockey team hosts a playoff game at Playland at 7:45 against either Byram Hills or Pawling. Lastly, the squash team plays for the FairWest league title on Thursday. What a day to be a sports fan in the city of Rye.
