Boys Hoops Notebook: Mahopac Provides Clarity in Wins over Peekskill, Somers

It was supposed to be the “Game of the Year” in this neck of the woods, but host MAHOPAC’s 83-57 win over PEKKSKILL turned into a snoozer after halftime at the first annual Westchester/Putnam Coaches vs. Cancer series last Saturday.

Mahopac junior F Ryan Simone had a game-high 25 points and nine rebounds to secure MVP honors and senior swingman Brendan Hynes netted 23 points and five rebounds despite sitting out the second quarter with foul trouble. Somehow, thanks to the play of reserve guard John Delehanty (9 points, all in 2^nd Q), Class AA Mahopac put forth a huge second quarter,  outscoring the state-ranked (No.10) Class A Red Devils 20-7 to take a great deal of momentum into halftime.

“Mahopac exposed every weakness we have,” Peekskill Coach Lou Panzanaro said of the Red Devils, who saw Ramon Searight drop a team-high 19 points and five rebounds before fouling out midway through the third. “They came out and set the tone right off the opening tap. The sad thing is; I don’t remember them hitting a jumper. Everything they hit was at the rim or in the paint. I’m interested to see how we respond from this.”

Mahopac, which played “country strong” in the paint, exhibited superior depth and balance throughout its lineup and played its finest game of the season, bar none.

“Without a doubt,” Mahopac Coach Kevin Downes said. “Everybody played great. Anthony (Lenahan) was phenomenal against their pressure. Ryan and Michael Simone were great inside. Brendan was Brendan and Delehanty was huge off the bench.”

Senior F Michael Simone (9 points, 3 rebounds), John Vitkus (9 points, 5 boards) and Delehanty (9 points, 5 rebounds) delivered points with relative ease against a soft Peekskill defense that enabled Mahopac to outscore the Red Devils 59-23 over the final three quarters. It was unlike anything we’ve seen from a Peekskill defense in quite some time.

“We weren’t scared of them coming in,” Mike Simone said. “Apparently, it wasn’t a war if you look at the scoreboard. We played a hell of a game and we just kicked their asses. We viewed this game as a statement game to see what we can do during the playoffs.”

The surging Indians (11-3) seemed to toy with the one-time juggernauts and went on to win their six-straight game, including the 52-37 blowout of Class A SOMERS last Tuesday. That one was closer than the score would indicate, but again, Mahopac’s paint presence was superb, best exhibited by them Simone boys: Mike Simone had 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while Ryan Simone added 12 points and nine rebounds.

Hynes was listed with a double (10 points, 10 rebounds) and three steals. Tusker Stefano Bicknese came to play, scoring a career-high 13 points for the Tuskers, but Somers’ bigs were no match for Mahopac’s post presence. Tusker hotshot John Decker, one of the section’s premier scorers, was held to 10 points, forced to dial up against a stingy match-up zone defense. Decker, who scored 33 points in a victory over Mahopac last season and zero in a loss, drew intense coverage from the Indians.

“Their defense was tough to score against, but it will be a better game next time, I guarantee it,” Decker said, noting the rematch set for February 5^th at Somers (6:00 p.m.).

Mahopac, with the Simone brothers at the top of their game, had the difference makers in the paint, Mike Simone played the best game of his career, finishing with a game-high 18 points. He grabbed 10 rebounds and dished five assists as well.

“My brother and I are really clicking right now down low,” Ryan Simone said. “Squints (Anthony Lenahan) is getting us the ball in the right place, and of course Brendan Hynes is getting us a lot of open looks, too. The team is really starting to play well at the right time. We’ve got a lot of guys playing huge roles right now.”

“All season long we’ve been waiting for a game like this where we played all four quarters to the best of our ability,” Hynes said, “and this was as good as we’ve played all season.”

BREWSTER saw Peter Cirocco score 17 points in a 60-51 loss to Fox Lane in the Coaches vs. Cancer series at Mahopac.

NWE/Putnam Examiner-area Slick Six Hoop Poll

(We have ultra-clear clarity at the top with Mahopac having defeated No.2 Peekskill and No.3 Somers by a combined 41 points. Bracketology breakdown included, thanks to MSG’s Kevin Devaney.)

No.1 MAHOPAC – Coach Downes Class AA Indians (11-3) are the real deal and are currently locked in at No.6 if playoffs began today. “Squints” has improved dramatically at the point, which has been and will continue to be pivotal for 2012 runner-up Mahopac’s chances at getting another crack at seven-time reigning champion Mount Vernon, the two-time reigning NYS champ.

No.2 PEEKSKILL –Coach P’s Class A Red Devils (9-3, No.10 in NYS) were soft in the paint against Mahopac, which are words we can’t recall uttering previously. Gotta be honest about one thing; Peekskill’s frustration led to some chippy maneuvers that just doesn’t fly in these parts. With all the “bigs” they got, we’re kind of shocked to see the Red Devils don’t make teams pay for getting to the iron with clean, hard fouls. Peekskill is No.6 seed if playoffs began today, and I’m not so sure we’d see them at the County Center. Prove me wrong, I beg you!

No.3 SOMERS – Coach Chris DiCintio’s Class A Tuskers (10-2) were also soft in the paint against Mahopac, which leads one to believe the Indians’ “country strong” presence in the paint will be too much for Somers to deal with in the rematch. Decker will need to go off on another 33-point-type effort to get it done, but the Indians are too strong defensively to permit that. Somers sits at No.5 if playoff began today, and a County Center conquest will be tough to come by unless the bigs play big.

No.3A PUTNAM VALLEY – Coach Ed Wallach’s state-ranked (No.19) Class B Tigers (11-2) are facing a week from hell, which includes a pair of stout tests against No.14 Pleasantville and No.12 Bronxville. Tigers would be the top seed if the playoff opened today, and the only thing preventing them from their first County Center visit would be an early-round upset. With five games left, including a season-finale grudge match against Pawling for the league title, the Tigers could and should lock up the No.1 seed in Class B. PV, No.2 Briarcliff, No.3 Lourdes and No.4 Dobbs would make one heck of a Final 4, though I loath to see Lourdes, a parochial school, with a chance at a public school crown. Seriously, this cr@p needs to stop.

Wallach welcomed in Shawn Tarkington, who belongs in the Panas Hall of Fame, as the new JV coach last week with five games remaining. Should be very interesting to see how this plays out, including next year on all levels.

No.5 PANAS – Coach Sully’s Class A Panthers (9-5) are one of the hotter teams in Class A right now, locked in as the No.11 seed if playoffs began today. In Panas’ 65-59 win over Carmel Vaughn Dweck had 15 points and eight rebounds to garner an MVP in Coaches vs. Cancer series game. Improving junior G Tim McCauley and Lylle Ryals had 16 points apiece for a club we still think adds up as a tough out for anyone. The Panthers also control their own destiny for the league title, which could ultimately be decided this Wednesday at Panas in a 4:30 p.m. jump-off against Peekskill.

No.6 OSSINING — Coach Khalid Sales’ surging Class AA Pride (8-4) could/should take the next three before closing out against Briarcliff and Mamaroneck, which should provide a pair of tough tests prior to playoffs. Pride would have a home game as No.8 seed if playoff began today but a 23-point loss at No.2 Spring Valley wasn’t what they were hoping for.