Varsity Boys Basketball's Winning Streak

by Brian Shure

The boys varsity basketball team is enjoying perhaps the most success they have had in quite some time this season. Hoping to have a strong squad this year, the team went out and scheduled the toughest competition they could find, in order to prepare themselves for a late season run. So far that challenging schedule has paid off immensely. 
While suffering a few early season losses due to injuries to some key players, the team’s true potential is starting to show as they have gotten healthier. A two point loss to Fieldston equipped the boys with the big game experience they needed, which has paid off quickly leading to our first Ivy League win in a decade the very next outing. Our win at Riverdale has propelled the boys to their current five game winning streak, and eight wins in their last nine games. Most recently, the team beat Brooklyn Friends, 79-43 and Collegiate 60-59! Click here to watch a highlight reel from the game versus Collegiate.
 
Senior captain Nikko Barnes has put the team on his back since day one, and with all of the injuries it was much needed. With his co-captains, senior Benny Mermelstein and junior Shane Fisher missing several games, Freshman Ron Kullashi has stepped up in a big way to keep the team afloat early on. Seniors Chad Jonas and Nate Doldron have provided essential consistent play recently and Junior Dylan Freedman has helped out with clutch shooting in a couple of important wins. 
 
With Benny and Shane now back in the lineup, the Panthers look better each game. While it may appear they are peaking, the team feels their peak is still well in front of them. The expectations have changed, and while we look to be undefeated league champions, we could also have success for the first time in program history at the NYSAIS State Tournament. It should be a fun month of February with the boys trying to do some unprecedented things.

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