In a battle between two one-loss teams on Friday night, conventional wisdom would posit that something had to give. In the end, it wouldn’t be the Tigers.
Taking on a solid Yorktown team at the Westchester County Center, Mamaroneck showed exactly why they’ve been so tough to beat over the last two months, using a dominant second half to blow past the Tuskers with a 65-49 win in the the Slam Dunk Showcase.
Despite leading by only two points after a tight two quarters, Mamaroneck roared back to life in the third, using ball movement and deft touch from all areas of the floor to build up a commanding lead en route to the win. Four Tiger players, Will Plunkett, Cosmo Hardinson, Brandon Burrell, and Elijah Friedman all netted double-digit point totals, something that Friedman said speaks to the Tigers’ style when things are clicking. Overall, the Tigers knocked down 10 of 18 from beyond the arc.
“In that first half, I think we were forcing it a little, taking some bad shots,” said Friedman. “But we settled in, found a rhythm, began to spread out the floor, find out shooters and hit some big shots.”
The Tigers were also buoyed by the strong all-around play of Will Plunkett, who took home game MVP honors with a 14 point, 12 rebound outing. The sophomore has developed into one of the keystones of the team, explained head coach Tyrone Carver, contributing to wins in a variety of ways each night.
“Will does what he does, and we love it; we love the fact he’s on our side,” said Carver. “He plays with his teammates, he plays for his teammates, he’s a special player and we’re glad he’s wearing the black and orange.”
At 9-1 on the year, the Tigers have a number of tough tests on the horizon, as they prepare for home-and-home sets with league rivals Mount Vernon, Scarsdale and New Rochelle.
But if Friday night’s win has taught them anything, said Friedman, it’s that Mamaroneck has the talent and drive to compete with the biggest names in Class AAA and are driven more than ever to make a return trip to the County Center this March.
“We belong with anyone and everyone,” said Friedman. “Tonight, we’re hanging around this court a little longer, we’re soaking it in and we love the feeling of winning on this court; it’s great.”
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