The Rye High varsity basketball team has many question marks this season, and something new — Head Coach John Aguilar taking over leadership of the boys’ squad. The Garnets followed a rocky first scrimmage against the Eastchester Eagles last Wednesday with a beautiful 65-50 performance on the road at Pelham. (No score was kept in the Eagles’ practice game.)

 

 

By Michael Gilbert

 

The Rye High varsity basketball team has many question marks this season, and something new — Head Coach John Aguilar taking over leadership of the boys’ squad. The Garnets followed a rocky first scrimmage against the Eastchester Eagles last Wednesday with a beautiful 65-50 performance on the road at Pelham. (No score was kept in the Eagles’ practice game.)

 

Rye hosted Eastchester in a six-quarter scrimmage and had their weaknesses exposed by the Eagles. Junior point guard Jack Daly overpowered Rye all game, as they had no answer for him. Rye’s offense could not break the Eastchester full-court press, and Rye’s transition defense was especially poor. Senior Rich Hardis called the team “a little rusty after not playing together since our summer league championship.”

 

Yet Rye rebounded from the scrimmage and came back with a much-improved effort against the Pelham Pelicans. Hardis said, “We ran the offense much better and the bench players provided a spark of energy coming in when the starters got tired.”

 

Senior guard Mike O’Neill, who had some key three-pointers, added, “We had good ball movement, good execution, hit outside shots, and the defense improved from last game.”

 

Rye came out looking more relaxed during their second scrimmage. Also, the Pelicans played a zone defense compared to Eastchester’s tougher man-to-man defense, allowing for Rye to find more open looks.

 

One thing is certain: confidence is not lacking. When asked how the team will fare this season, senior Max Twyman simply predicted, “We’re winning it all.”