Rye High School’s boys basketball team continues to impress this season, with five victories in the past six games and an overall record of 11-2 – keeping them in second place among the area’s Class A programs, just behind Pearl River.
The latest run started Jan. 5 with an on-the-road rout of Ardsley High, 73-49, led by juniors Jake Kessner (18 points) and Rocklan Boisseau (14). The next day, the Garnets returned home and beat Blind Brook, 58-50, behind a 22-point season high from Kessner.
Rye High then took the short bus ride to Harrison High on Jan. 11 to face their longtime rival in front of a partisan crowd. Junior Andrew Wilmarth led the way for Rye in the first half, but the team’s offense stalled in the second and Harrison prevailed, 49-42. Kessner finished with 11 points, while Wilmarth added 10 in the losing effort.
With little time to dwell on the disappointment, Rye returned home to play Hastings two days later, winning handily by a score of 56-47. Sophomore Carson Miller led the way with a season high 16 points. Next up was an undermanned and outclassed Edgemont High, which fell to the Garnets 68-42 on Jan. 18. Rye’s depth was on full display that game, as all 12 players with time on the court also scored, Boisseau leading the way with 13 points.
The next day, the Garnets found themselves trailing Eastchester High by 12 points at halftime, 34-22. But they found another gear in the second half, played stellar defense, and managed a 54-52 come-from-behind victory. Senior Charlie Stevens led with 15 points and four rebounds, while Miller continued to shine in the backcourt, finishing with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists.
“Defense has been the key to our success,” Coach John Aguilar said of the team’s 11-2 start. “Our depth has been phenomenal, and every practice is a battle. That has prepared us well for each game.”
The Garnets upcoming games include Jan. 26 at Byram Hills, Jan. 29 at Lakeland and a Jan. 31 home game against Ardsley.