On Monday night, two basketball teams looking to make a name for themselves this year squared off at Harrison High School for an early-season tilt, as Mamaroneck hit the road to challenge the Huskies in a battle of two tough area squads. 

With a few more games under their belt this season, it was the Tigers who emerged victorious, topping the Huskies—making their season debut—44-39 in a matchup that highlighted the strengths of both teams.

Harrison came out of the gate hot, ripping off the first nine points of the game before the Tigers managed to settle in and chip away at the lead, eventually pulling away in the second half, thanks in large part to a tremendous effort from junior center Addison Dorfman. The 11th grader was dominant in all facets of the game, finishing with 24 points and 19 rebounds on the night. 

Dorfman’s presence in the paint created matchup problems for the Huskies, leading to 21 free-throw attempts for the junior, which outpaced the entire Huskies’ squad. 

Mamaroneck head coach Yusef Yizar praised Dorfman’s performance, noting that the three-year starter has transformed into a reliable and vocal leader among her teammates.

“She’s the best, on and off the court,” said Yizar. “She’s so competitive, I sometimes wish she’d take it easier out on the court, but she always wants to contribute even when we want to give her a rest.”

Forward Sarah Sherman also recorded a double-double on the day, going for 10 points and 11 boards against a smaller Harrison team. The Huskies were led by Mia Strazza, who scored 19 before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. 

Yizar—whose team now sits at 3-1—said that the matchup against the Huskies was a good test for the Tigers, as they were forced to play tough minutes at the end of the game to protect a single-digit lead. 

Those kinds of games pay dividends at the end of the year, noted Yizar.

“These kinds of games are important, especially when you’re looking at playoffs and our league schedule,” said the head coach. “I think we play in the toughest league in the section, maybe the state, so we are going to be in these situations.”

At 0-1, Harrison will look to bounce back when they take on Somers on Wednesday, after press time. Mamaroneck will be back in action on Dec. 14, when they host Arlington for a noon game. 

Contact: sports@hometwn.com