Rye Boys Basketball Dominates Three of Four Quarters in Loss to Byram Hills, Win vs Eastchester
The Rye Boys Basketball Team split their last two critical league games, falling to Byram Hills on Friday, January 31 by a 55-44 score, before rebounding on Monday, February 3, for a 69-42 win over Eastchester. The Garnets split the season series with the Bobcats and Eagles, and combined with the Girls Varsity team to complete a Monday sweep over Eastchester.
Loss vs Byram Hills
Rye jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and held a 26-17 advantage at half time. However, Byram Hills began to heat up shooting wise in the second half and came all the way back for a crushing win.
“I thought one of the keys to the game was [when] we had an opportunity to have a larger lead at halftime but weren’t able to get some shots to fall,” Head Coach Tommy Proudian told MyRye.com after the loss. “I knew Byram, who was cold shooting the ball in the first half, would eventually heat up… it was just a matter of time before they got going.”
And got going they did, as the Bobcats recorded 38 second-half points, including five three pointers and a clutch three-point play from their guard Chris Ameneto. This was coupled with Rye going cold from the field, only scoring 18 points in the third and fourth quarters combined.
“We brought great energy and effort in the 2nd half and the team played their hearts out,” Proudian said. “I was very proud how we battled once again in a very difficult environment-a loud boisterous sold out gym on the road in a rivalry game.”
Jake Kessner scored 20 points to lead the Garnets, including four triples. Andrew Wilmarth and Henry Shoemaker added nine and eight, respectively.
Rye finishes the regular season 1-1 vs Byram Hills, although it would not be surprising to see the two closely-matched foes meet up again in the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Win vs Eastchester
The Garnets once again showed their resilience and resolve as a group on Monday 2/3, steamrolling Eastcher behind a 69-point outburst. Four of Rye’s five starters reached double-digits in scoring, led by Rocklan Boisseau with 19 points. Wilmarth, Shoemaker, and Kessner chipped in 14, 12, and 10 respectively.
“When you get double figures in scoring from four out of your five starters, it’s a very good sign,” Proudian told MyRye.com on Tuesday. “First, and most important, it means your team was sharing the basketball, playing unselfishly. Second, you probably scored a good number of points, which we did… if we put up 69 points, with our defense, there’s a good chance we will win the game.”
The victory brings Rye to double digits in that column on the season, and continues a trend of bounce back efforts. Rye has only one losing streak of two games, none of three games or longer, and are now 5-1 after a defeat this season.
“Once again, this group showed what they are made of,” Proudian said. “[We] suffered a tough loss at rival Byram on Friday, then answer that with our best offensive game of the season. Again, I am very proud of our character and resiliency.”
Eastchester was led by Jack Bochenski (18 points) and Marcus Rolon (16 points), both of whom made four triples. Rye was able to shut down the interior of the floor very effectively, leading to the big win and season split against the Eagles in league play.
What’s Next?
Rye (10-5) has a big week ahead, as they play three times in four days against premier competition starting Wednesday, February 5. The Garnets go on the road again to play Pelham at 4:30pm (watch it here). On Thursday, Proudian and his group travel to New Rochelle for a road contest against the Class AAA Huguenots, who are atop Section 1, at 4:30pm. After a day off Friday, Rye plays their seventh away game out of the last eight on Saturday, February 8, at 7:00pm at Scarsdale, another talented AAA school.
Watch the loss to Byram Hills here (password protected) and the win over Eastchester here.
