UPDATE: Staten Island high school basketball teams delivered thrilling performances today at the Boardwalk Classic in Wildwood, NJ. St. Joseph by-the-Sea edged out St. Michael Catholic in a nail-biting finish, while MSIT overcame a tough challenge against CSIM in New Dorp.
In a dramatic showdown, St. Joseph by-the-Sea triumphed over St. Michael Catholic with a final score of 47-45. Leading the charge was Nick Rebracca, who scored a game-high 27 points. His consistent scoring, including a flawless 7 for 7 from the free-throw line, propelled the Vikings to their first win of the season, improving their record to 1-1. Coach Mike Cortese praised Rebracca’s versatility and his teammates for facilitating his scoring opportunities.
The game’s momentum shifted dramatically when St. Michael Catholic outscored the Vikings 15-8 in the third quarter, tying the game at 35. However, crucial plays from Nick Lee and Joey Moran in the final minutes sealed the victory for St. Joseph by-the-Sea.
Meanwhile, the MSIT Seagulls secured a hard-fought 74-68 victory over CSIM. Ray Guerriero led MSIT with a season-high 20 points, including nine critical points in the fourth quarter. The Seagulls improved their record to 7-5, showcasing their resilience after falling behind at halftime.
In another matchup, Monsignor Farrell faced off against Lake Howell in Daytona, Florida, suffering a loss with a score of 49-35. Despite JJ Yates scoring 16 points, the Lions struggled to maintain their lead after halftime, allowing Lake Howell to dominate the third quarter.
Moore also had a successful outing, defeating Abington Friends from Pennsylvania, 60-55. The team’s senior guards, including Eenej Vinson and Matt Gibbons, each contributed 14 points, helping the Mavericks to improve to 2-6. They will face Pennsbury HS next on Tuesday at 1 p.m.
In the MSIT Christmas Showcase, SIA continued their undefeated streak, defeating Petrides 75-67. The Tigers showcased a strong performance led by Danny Nowak, who scored 19 points, as they moved to 10-0 this season. Coach Mike Mazella noted the need for improvement despite their success, highlighting the challenges they faced from a resilient Petrides team that saw Daynell Rowland score 31 points.
As the high school basketball season progresses, these teams are setting the stage for an exciting competition ahead. Fans can look forward to more action as they return to the court on December 30, 2023, in their respective matchups. Stay tuned for further updates on these electrifying games.
