In a series of high-energy basketball games, teams from Staten Island showcased impressive performances, with standout contributions from players like Chris Albano and Nick Rebracca. On January 6, 2024, Susan Wagner rallied to secure a 63-55 victory against New Dorp, while Sea cruised to a decisive 73-52 win over Salesian, demonstrating their prowess in the court.
Chris Albano delivered a game-high 24 points for Susan Wagner, scoring nine of those in the final quarter. His efforts were pivotal in the Falcons’ comeback victory, lifting their overall record to 10-2. Alongside Albano, Darin Humes-James and Adem Djonbalic contributed 13 and 11 points, respectively, while Charles Gambino and Clevi Hoxha each added 12 points.
New Dorp, despite holding leads at the end of the first quarter (16-15), halftime (30-28), and third quarter (42-40), fell short in the fourth. Omari Onwe led the Centrals with 15 points, supported by Billy Fraser and Sergio Batista, who scored 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Head coach Danny Lanigan recognized New Dorp’s talent, noting the team’s experience against them in previous years. “New Dorp is a very talented team… We knew they would play with great spirit today,” he said. Despite earlier struggles in the season, the Falcons found their rhythm when it mattered most, outscoring New Dorp by 10 points in the final period. Lanigan emphasized the need for improvement as they move forward, expressing confidence in the team’s potential for a special season.
Sea Dominates Salesian with Strong Start
In another thrilling encounter on the same day, Sea’s Nick Rebracca tied his career high with 28 points, leading the Vikings to a commanding 73-52 victory over Salesian. Rebracca’s performance included a remarkable six three-pointers, helping the Vikings improve their league record to 5-2 and overall to 6-2.
The Vikings established control early, racing to a 19-4 lead by the end of the first quarter. Rebracca’s eight points, combined with contributions from Nick Lee and Luca Mineo, set the tone for the game. By halftime, Sea had built a significant 42-16 advantage, which they maintained throughout the match.
Salesian’s leading scorer, Kavaughn Mitchell, managed 15 points, but the Eagles struggled to mount a comeback against the Vikings’ robust defense. The victory marked Sea’s third consecutive win, showcasing their growing momentum in the league.
Other Notable Games Across the Region
In Pittsburgh, St. Peter’s faced a challenging match against Allderdice, falling 52-45 despite a strong fourth-quarter performance led by Nico Parlanti, who scored 17 points. The Eagles, now at 2-4 overall, struggled after a slow start and could not fully recover from an early deficit.
Meanwhile, WHEELS secured a 61-43 victory against Eagle Academy in Staten Island. Despite a competitive first half, WHEELS pulled away in the third quarter, with Miguel Martinez scoring 15 points to lead his team. Eagle Academy dropped to 2-5 in league play, showing resilience but unable to close the gap in the second half.
These recent games highlight the competitive spirit and talent present in high school basketball across Staten Island and beyond, as teams continue to push for excellence in the season ahead.
