Tuckahoe may be young, but if the Tigers proved anything on Sunday, it’s youth meant nothing on the biggest basketball stage in Section 1.
Taking on No. 4-seeded Haldane in the Class C semifinals last weekend, the Tigers turned in perhaps their best performance of the year, out-hustling—and out-playing—the Blue Devils to the tune of a 58-34 win that will keep the Tigers’ hopes of a third-straight gold ball alive.
Tuckahoe’s swarming defense quickly emerged as the difference-maker on the day, as the Tigers jumped out to an early double-digit lead over Haldane, forcing turnovers that lead to quick-chance points on the other end.
Eighth-grader Chloe Angello led with 16 points and eight rebounds while Juliana Manginelli and Brooke Matarazzo combined for nine steals to lead the defensive effort. According to Angello, high-pressure defense was a focal-point of the pregame prep, and the Tigers were able to execute the game plan flawlessly.
“We knew we had to come out hot and we did a lot of running this week to prepare for the game,” said Angello. “Our goal was to outrun everyone on the court.”
With so many youngsters on the roster—and the majority of those players in key roles for the Tigers—Tuckahoe head coach Silvio DiSalvatore admitted that while he wasn’t sure how his players would respond to the biggest challenge of the year, but that the girls were able to rise to the situation with aplomb.
“To be honest, I think I was more nervous than they were; before the game,” said DiSalvatore. “The girls were putting smiley faces on the boards and I knew they were ready for this game.”
With the win, Tuckahoe will move on to take on Alexander Hamilton in the Class C Championship Game on Sunday, Feb. 3. Hamilton and the Tigers have met twice this season, with Tuckahoe winning both games. Hamilton edged North Salem in the semifinals to reach the championship round.
“We know exactly what they’re going to try to do and they know what we’re going to do; both games were close, so we have to get ready,” said DiSalvatore. “Hamilton does such a good job, so we have to go back to the drawing board and get ready for this one.”
Contact: sports@hometwn.com
