Don Malone has more varsity experience than his current teammates
It wasn’t a win, but there was reason to be optimistic. The boys’ basketball varsity team took an early lead in the Tip-Off Tournament in Warwick. But by the second half on Dec. 3, the Dragons were trailing Nyack by as much as 13 points.
Then Coach Tom Howe’s team tightened its defense, holding the Rockland County school to just eight points in the final quarter. With increased pressure, the Dragons forced turnovers and a 10-second violation. Joe McConville and Jason Bailey hit three-pointers down the stretch to cut the lead to a single basket.
As the clock ticked down, Nyack had the ball and Cornwall was forced to commit a foul to get it back. The free throw banged off the rim, and the Dragons grabbed the rebound with less than six seconds remaining.
They worked the ball to McConville in center court, and he got off a shot that looked like it had a chance. The line was good, but the shot was a fraction of an inch too long. It clanged off the back rim as time ran out.
Nyack won the game 45-43 to send the Dragons into the consolation game against Warwick. Coach Howe was encouraged by his team’s late effort. “We’ve come a long way since the beginning of practice,” he said, “and we’re going to continue to improve.”
Cornwall is starting the year with a new lineup. Don Malone is the only returning player who got a lot of time on the court last year. The list of newcomers includes sophomores Bailey and Kevin Salis, who both played important roles in the opening game. If the fourth quarter is an indication, the Dragons may have some exciting outings in the future.
RECAP — Points: Louis 11, Salis 10, Malone 7, Bailey 5, McConville 5, Vitale 3, Chatfield 2. Threes: Bailey, McConville, Vitale. Free throws: Louis 3-3, Malone 3-4, Salis 2-4.
