If defense wins championships, the Rye boys basketball team has a legitimate shot.
In a 45-28 victory Wednesday against Harrison, the Garnets’ stifling defense held the Huskies to seven points per quarter. If they manage to do something similar against the upper echelon of Class AA in the looming section playoffs, Rye will make a deep run.
The Garnets (11-4) led 28-13 at halftime and maintained a 15-point lead entering the fourth. With seven minutes left, Harrison hit a 3-pointer to get back within 10, 35-25, but the Huskies (7-8) made just one basket the rest of the game and were held scoreless for the final five minutes.
The defense begins up top with the guards. Seniors Carson Miller and Milo Shirakawa, and juniors Ben Hudson and Ryan Hess, form a committee of quick-handed, extremely athletic challenges for any offense. Rye’s guards apply the pressure, then senior Henry Shoemaker, junior Cal Wing, twins Sam and Luke Scully, and the rest of Rye’s bench apply the squeeze. The frustration of having to deal with Rye’s defense is visible on every opposing head coach’s face.
The result is turnovers. And turnovers lead to what this Rye team does best: transitioning quickly and creatively in the open court at top speed.
Shoemaker led Rye with 14 points, Hudson had 11, and the Garnets held serve for the second – and possibly last – time this season against the Huskies. This was the second of seven games Rye will play in the final 13 days of the season. Next up is a trip to Class A Bronxville at 5 p.m. Friday.
