The #5 Rye Boys Basketball team won the Section 1 Class AA championship on Saturday, March 7, topping #3 Clarkstown North 57-50 at the County Center and taking home the Golden Ball. One year after falling in the title game for the second straight year, the Garnets are on top of Section 1 for the first time since 2020, and the first time ever in Class AA.
Rye ended the game on an 11-2 run, fueled by clutch shooting and free throws. The fourth was the only quarter that concluded with the Garnets in front. They continue to find ways to win, regardless of opponent.
The late-season ascendence of Henry Shoemaker reached a summit in the finals, as the senior scored 27 points – 47% of Rye’s total team output. Saturday was his second consecutive game leading the Garnets in scoring and his sixth game of at least 19 points on the year. 27 is one shy of his season high of 28 back on January 20 against Mahopac.
Defensively, Rye struggled to shut down the Rams’ star Kyle Kirkland, who matched Shoemaker with 27 points, but clamped down on the rest of the roster. Luke Scully drew four charges, emblemizing the defensive ferocity the Garnets have come to adopt as their identity.
Rye (18-5, 4-0 postseason) advances to the next challenge in their quest for a State title, which takes them to a matchup with Goshen on Tuesday, March 10.
