This year marked a historic season for both boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball, as the boys’ team not only set the record for the most wins in a season, but also tied the record held by the 2018 team for advancing the farthest in the Section 1 playoffs in school history, making it to the semi-finals.
The girls’ team made history by reaching the Section 1 semi-finals for the first time in its history, marking off an extremely impressive season. The girls’ team had an extremely impressive start to the season as it won four of its first five games. However, it was not always smooth sailing. The team had to endure lots of adversity as the players went through a few difficult stretches, including a few tough games in which they were defeated by rivals.
However this did not deter them in the slightest, as they found their groove right when it was most needed. They were able to rattle off impressive wins in the playoffs after they defeated Mount Vernon 60-49 and then went on the road to White Plains where they were able to grind out an impressive overtime win 50-46. Their season would end in the semi-finals after a difficult loss to a very talented New Rochelle team. The team hopes that they can replicate their success next season.
The boys’ team also started their season off strong, winning two tournaments, including the Keith D. Yizar tournament, a victory that came on the Tigers’ home court. This would provide the team with the momentum and confidence needed to emerge victorious in many of its games this season. The team went on a run of winning 16 of their first 17 games, including victories over undefeated New Rochelle and Mount Vernon.
Players such as Cosmo Hardinson (‘24) and Will Plunkett (‘26) led the Tigers through impressive victories over Scarsdale and Yorktown in early January, and the Tigers would continue to dominate every other team throughout the rest of the year. They would continue to win games before the start of the playoffs, although no victory was bigger than their senior night game.
The Tigers, led by Brandon Burrell (‘26), who scored 16 points during the game, defeated New Rochelle to win their first ever league championship. This success was a massive accomplishment for Coach Tyrone Carver and the team, and gave them the push they needed for the playoffs, where they continued to make history. Mamaroneck opened up in the quarterfinals against Arlington, where Hardinson scored 23 points en route to a 60-50 win for the Tigers, giving them their 19th win of the season, which set a program record. Unfortunately, the season would come to a close after a hard-fought game against New Rochelle at the County Center. While it did not end the way they hoped, the boys’ team also inspired many along the way.
While both the boys’ and girls’ teams’ seasons did not end in a championship, both teams made history along the way in many ways. From the girls making it farther than any other team in history to the boys winning the most games in program history, this year was one to be proud of for Mamaroneck Basketball, one that future teams can look up to for inspiration and with admiration.
