Photo courtesy of Dave’s Joint.
By David Cordova
North of New York City, Westchester County is the suburban area that’s a world away from the city, the hustle & bustle of a fast-paced area. Just like the city, Westchester County has plenty of basketball talent.
In places such as Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, White Plains, Greenburgh, Port Chester, Peekskill and many other places in the county, there are plenty of hoopers. But unlike the five boroughs, there is a different type of culture, one in which hoops brings the town together.
In the suburbs, you see more school spirit, with students sections jeering the opposition and cheering for their beloved teams. Another great thing about the suburban game is that the whole town usually comes out to see the talent.
Every year, after the regular season, there is one place where the general public goes to take in the action, the venue where it’s all about surviving and advancing. It’s kind of like Hoosiers and March Madness all rolled into one.
The event in question is the Section 1 Tournament and the legendary venue is the Westchester County Center in White Plains, which can be seen via the Metro-North Line whether you’re coming from Brewster or coming in from Grand Central Terminal. Plus, there are buses from all over the county and also The Bronx, as well as buses coming from Rockland County and also Stamford, Connecticut.
Since 1930, this has been a haven of hoops throughout the year. Although it is also the home of the Westchester Knicks, the NBA G-League affiliate of the New York Knicks and the former home of the WNBA’s New York Liberty, it is the place to be for high school hoops during the early part of March.
Various semifinal and championship games are played during the week from the AAA division to the B division.
Several of the teams had played in the arena earlier this season, back in December as part of the William Plunkett Christmas Classic and in January, as part of the Slam Dunk New York & Crusader Classic, events organized by both Westchester County and Archbishop Stepinac High School, a member of the Catholic High School Athletic Association.
This year, the Section 1 Tournament had some major upsets as two of last year’s champions in Mount Vernon (Class AA) and Peekskill (Class A) went down early in their respective playoff games.
However, the games were still exciting, as several champions emerged. Class AAA’s championship went to New Rochelle, as they knocked off North Rockland in a battle between teams from Westchester County and Rockland County.
The Class AA title game between Rye and Tappan Zee was a physical matchup with both teams showcasing their athleticism and toughness on the floor. In the end, it would be the former that would run away with the game.
The A championship between Byram Hills and Pearl River was a solid battle of teams, as they made their presence felt on both ends of the court. There were definitely some great shots taken on both sides. But Byram Hills was too powerful on both ends of the court, especially in the post area.
In the B title game, last year’s champions, Woodlands, was in control for all four quarters and dominated against their competitors, Blind Brook, from start to finish.
Fast-forward to the present day. Of all five champions from the Section 1 Tournament, it would be Tappan Zee, Byram Hills, Woodlands and the Class C champions, Tuckahoe, that would advance to the NYSPHSAA state tournament this weekend at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton.
Unfortunately, all five would be unsuccessful in their journey of winning a state title, but it would be Woodlands that would go the furthest, making the championship, and only losing by five, 63-58, to Marcellus.
But one of the best games of the season would be played in the Class A semifinals, as Byram Hills played Long Island’s own Mount Sinai and took them to double overtime, before losing 67-64.
Although they’re in the suburbs, these kids from Section 1 have plenty of heart and refuse to back down from any challenges that come their way. Heart is definitely one of those things that can’t be taught. But what can be taught in the game of basketball is fundamentals, and these guys are excellent at it.
Now that the season is over, the seniors will be getting ready for graduation and the underclassmen, or rather the returning students will stay sharp, either playing AAU or getting acclimated to another sport in the meantime.
But next year, they will be back, ready to ball out on the court.
Dave's JOINT 
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