Lead Stories, Sports

Gutsy Rye rallies against Huskies in late-season contest

by Mike Smith

Sometimes, a stiff test before the playoffs is exactly what a team needs to spur it on to postseason success. On Friday night, the basketball teams of both Harrison and Rye found this out firsthand, as the Garnets and Huskies squared off in a league showdown on the last weekend of the year. 

In the end, it was Rye’s ability to rally back from an early deficit that proved the difference maker, as the Garnets came away with a hard-fought 54-49 win.

Henry Shoemaker celebrates a shot by Jake Kessner on Feb. 14

For the second time in as many games this season, an early surge from the Huskies put Rye on the back foot, as Harrison—paced by a 25-point night from Matt McCoy—quickly established a tempo and led by double-digits midway through the first half. But the dogged persistence of the Garnets—led by a 17-point effort from Jake Kessner—proved too much, as the Garnets climbed back into contention, eventually taking the lead for good with under a minute to play, when Kessner drilled a three-pointer send the home crowd into hysterics. 

Rye coach Tom Proudian lauded the senior standout for his ability to knock down the clutch shot, explaining that Kessler’s comfort in big spots has been a calling card throughout the forward’s high school career. 

“Jake has been in that situation so many times, of course we trust him to take that shot,” said Proudian. “But it’s not just him, we have so many guys that can step up and be counted on in those situations.”

Henry Shoemaker also chipped in 11 points as the Garnets won their 13th game of the year. 

Proudian said that a game like this—so close to the start of the postseason—is going to be something that buoys the Garents, who are looking to make it back to the County Center after reaching the Section 1 finals last year.“This was playoff atmosphere, playoff intensity and playoff pressure,” said Proudian. 

“We were down big, but we showed our resolve, and we showed our resiliency. We never give up, we’re in every game, that’s just who we are.” 

Rye would close out the regular season the next day with a decisive win over top-seeded Class AA squad Tappan Zee to clinch the No. 3 seed in the postseason. Harrison (12-8) shakes out at the No. 9 seed and will be on the road on Feb. 22, when they travel to No. 9 seed Fox Lane.