On a cold night in November, the only sounds heard from Rye High’s gym were the squeaking of sneakers and the voice of new head basketball Coach John Aguilar. “Attack the gaps! Attack the gaps!” 

 

By Michael Gilbert

 

On a cold night in November, the only sounds heard from Rye High’s gym were the squeaking of sneakers and the voice of new head basketball Coach John Aguilar. “Attack the gaps! Attack the gaps!”

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This is Aguilar’s first season. On the second week of his watch, the Garnets were learning a brand new offensive system, and had played two scrimmages, showing flashes of brilliance. Aguilar was stressing the importance of creating space on offense during that practice.

 

Rewind one year. Aguilar had successfully rebuilt a struggling Rye Neck High School basketball team. Last season, was Rye Neck’s first winning season in six years. The Panthers not only beat Rye High in the annual Cliff Clinton Classic, but they also took down Blind Brook, a team they had not defeated in six seasons.

 

When Rye called Aguilar to offer him the coaching job, he said he couldn’t turn it down. Aguilar already taught math at Rye Middle School, making it enticing for him to coach in Rye.

 

“I like to stay in close contact with every person who has an effect on the team, from the modified coaches to the guidance counselors,’’ Aguilar said. “I can build the program at a higher level if I’m there every day, talking to everyone and keeping an eye on things.”

Aguilar has been rebuilding the RHS basketball program for months: Rye played in Westchester’s best summer league, based in Brewster. The team went 7-2 and won the league. They also traveled to a camp in Philadelphia hosted by the legendary Phil Martelli, the winningest basketball coach at St. Joseph’s University.

 

Back to practice. Andrew Livingston, who threw touchdowns as Rye’s quarterback in the fall, is once again running Rye’s offense and dished out a nice assist to senior Max Twyman during a full-court scrimmage. Twyman runs back down the court and immediately shouts instructions to the defense. He’s the most vocal player on the court.

 

All the team’s preparation has paid off, including winning the Cliff Clinton tournament last month. It was an exciting victory for the fans, players, and program, but Aguilar is hoping that trophy won’t be the last that Rye hoists this season. The team is 4-3, with their latest win coming against Clancy, 81-59. Their first game after a holiday break is January 11 at home against Horace Greeley, a league game. A showdown with Byram Hills on February 1 also looms large.