The Friday night game had just ended. Most of the spectators were still in the stands, as Joe McConville and the Monticello coach (Chris Russo) spoke briefly on the court. Both of them were smiling – Joe, because he had made the winning basket, Coach Russo because sometimes that’s the only thing you can do.
The game was exceptional. The league rivals were never more than four points apart. In the final minute, the Dragons moved ahead as Don Malone scored from under the basket. Then, while the clock was ticking down, Monticello drew even on a jump shot by Devin Williams.
It was time for McConville to work his magic. He went two steps beyond the centerline and launched a shot that started from his waist. The ball traveled in a high arc and came down through the net without ever touching the rim.
The long three-pointer silenced the visiting Monticello fans, and gave Cornwall a 53-50 win on the last night before the winter break from school. People in crazy outfits were admitted free. But most fans dressed conservatively, and had to pay to get into the gym. It was obvious that they got their money’s worth.
McConville led the Dragons with 17 points. Kevin Salis had 10, and every time he scored, the home team rooters chanted, “He’s a sophomore.” Don Malone also had 10, including four short-range buckets in the final period – one of them coming on a slick feed from Bo Vitale.
The dramatic win over Monticello followed a 49-46 victory at Port Jervis. While Cornwall now has a 2-0 record in its league, the closeness of the games confirms that the league is well balanced, and all four teams have a chance of finishing on top.
Last-second attempts are nothing new for McConville. His half-court shot in Warwick almost tied the game at the buzzer.
2-GAME RECAP – Points: McConville 39, Malone 20, Salis 20, Malvey 9, Bailey 7, Chatfield 4, Vitale 2, Louis 1. Threes: McConville 9, Bailey, Malvey. Free throws: McConville 4-5.
