UPDATE: In an electrifying day for Staten Island high school basketball, standout performances from Chris Albano and Nick Rebracca led their teams to crucial victories on January 13, 2024.
In a thrilling non-league matchup, Albano scored nine of his game-high 24 points in the final quarter, propelling Susan Wagner to a 63-55 comeback win over New Dorp at Sea View. The Falcons improved their record to 10-2 overall, showcasing their resilience after trailing for much of the game.
Albano’s clutch performance included a pivotal three-point play and sinking 5 of 7 free throws in the decisive fourth quarter. Teammates Darin Humes-James and Adem Djonbalic contributed significantly with 13 and 11 points, respectively, while Charles Gambino and Clevi Hoxha added another 12 for the Falcons.
“We knew New Dorp would play with great spirit today,” said SW head coach Danny Lanigan. “Thankfully, it didn’t cost us this time. We did enough at the end to win it.”
Meanwhile, Nick Rebracca of Sea also shined, tying his career high with 28 points as the Vikings cruised to a dominating 73-52 victory over Salesian. Rebracca drained a season-high six three-pointers and led the team to improve their league record to 5-2 and overall to 6-2.
The Vikings established a commanding lead early, scoring 19-4 in the first quarter, largely due to Rebracca’s efforts. Point guard Nick Lee and sixth man Luca Mineo contributed 10 points each, helping Sea maintain their momentum throughout the game.
“It feels great to contribute to the team’s success,” Rebracca stated after the game. “We’re building something special here.”
In another matchup, St. Peter’s faced a tough loss against Taylor Allderdice, falling 52-45. Senior Nico Parlanti led the Eagles with 17 points, but could not overcome an early deficit. The Eagles now sit at 2-4 for the season.
Lastly, WHEELS defeated Eagle Academy SI 61-43, driven by strong defensive efforts in the second half. The Wolves showcased depth with four players scoring in double figures, while Eagle Academy dropped to 2-5 in league play.
WHAT’S NEXT: As the season progresses, all eyes will be on these teams as they aim to build on their successes and address areas for improvement. Fans can expect more thrilling matchups in the coming weeks as the stakes rise in high school basketball across Staten Island.
Stay tuned for more updates as these teams continue their journeys in the heart of the basketball season!
