UPDATE: In an electrifying day of high school basketball on Staten Island, Chris Albano’s late-game heroics propelled Susan Wagner to a dramatic 63-55 comeback victory over New Dorp on Saturday. This thrilling win solidifies Wagner’s strong season, improving their record to 10-2 overall.
Albano, who scored a game-high 24 points, showcased his clutch performance by netting nine points in the final quarter alone. The victory unfolded in Sea View, where the Falcons rallied from behind, outscoring New Dorp by 10 points in the decisive final period. Darin Humes-James and Adem Djonbalic contributed significantly with 13 and 11 points, respectively, while Charles Gambino and Clevi Hoxha chipped in with another 12 points.
New Dorp initially held the lead, with Omari Onwe scoring 15 points and contributing three three-pointers. However, Wagner’s coach Danny Lanigan remained confident, noting, “New Dorp is a very talented team… thankfully, it didn’t cost us this time.” The Falcons’ ability to finish strong was crucial, as they managed to save their best play for the final moments.
In a parallel matchup, the Sea Vikings soared to a commanding 73-52 victory against Salesian, led by junior swingman Nick Rebracca, who tied his career high with 28 points. Rebracca’s performance included a season-high six three-pointers, marking his third game scoring at least 26 points in the last four outings. This victory pushes Sea’s league record to 5-2 and their overall record to 6-2.
The Vikings established dominance early, jumping to a 19-4 lead in the first quarter thanks to strong contributions from Rebracca and Nick Lee, who each showcased impressive shooting. The team’s defensive effort stifled Salesian, who struggled to keep pace throughout the game. Kevaughn Mitchell led Salesian with 15 points, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, St. Peter’s faced a tough loss against Taylor Allderdice, falling 52-45. Senior Nico Parlanti attempted a late comeback with 12 points in the fourth quarter, but the Eagles couldn’t recover from an early deficit. St. Peter’s record drops to 2-4 overall.
In another Staten Island matchup, WHEELS triumphed over Eagle Academy SI with a score of 61-43. The Wolves built a significant lead with a strong third quarter, propelled by Miguel Martinez’s 15 points. Despite a spirited effort from Eagle Academy, which saw four players score in double figures, they could not close the gap.
The excitement continues as high school basketball teams gear up for more action. With many teams hitting their stride, fans can expect more thrilling moments as the season unfolds. Stay tuned for updates on these compelling matchups!
