Somers celebrates after defeating Pearl River 2-0 in the Section 1, Class A championship at Arlington High School on Saturday, October 31st, 2015.

Somers defeated Pearl River 2-0 in the Section 1, Class A championship game at Arlington High School on Saturday, October 31st, 2015.

Somers defeated Pearl River 2-0 in the Section 1, Class A championship game at Arlington High School on Saturday, October 31st, 2015.

Somers defeated Pearl River 2-0 in the Section 1, Class A championship game at Arlington High School on Saturday, October 31st, 2015.

Somers defeated Pearl River 2-0 in the Section 1, Class A championship game at Arlington High School on Saturday, October 31st, 2015.

Somers defeated Pearl River 2-0 in the Section 1, Class A championship game at Arlington High School on Saturday, October 31st, 2015.

LAGRANGEVILLE – Last year, Somers had few believers. This year, who doesn’t believe?

The defending state-champion Tuskers increased their two-year record to 42-0 Saturday.

The bigger story was that the top seed did so by defeating No. 2 Pearl River 2-0 to repeat as Section 1 Class A champions.

And if it’s possible to have a bigger story than that consider that senior Hannon Eberts, who five months ago was “devastated” when told she faced possible surgery and likely would miss her senior season after breaking her left ankle, scored both Somers goals.

“It’s been amazing,” Eberts said.

“We have a one-game-at-a-time mindset that really helps. We’re looking forward to what comes up in the future for us,” said Jenna Menta, who assisted on the second goal.

What immediately will come up is a first-round regional game Tuesday against the Section 9 winner at 3:30 p.m. at Tappan Zee High School.

Player of the game: Eberts dominated in the offensive end, using speed on the outside that showed her ankle is healthy. “They stretched the game out. That allows her to do what she does best,” said Pearl River coach Tim Peabody, whose team finishes 16-2-2.

Turning point: It was Somers’ tenacity and some luck that accounted for what proved to be the winning goal. Georgetown-bound Pirate goalie Lauren Gallagher, who denied Eberts multiple times, including with a skying punch save of a ball heading under the crossbar, made an initial save on Eberts in tight but the ball stayed in bounds to Gallagher’s left. Katrina Kurtz hustled and retrieved it for Somers and then passed back to Eberts, who left her feet just a little to head the ball past Gallagher with 9:23 left in the first half.

Stat line: Somers goalie Lizzie Hanley, who was helped by Claire Mensi’s and Mary Murphy’s strong defensive play, had five saves. Gallagher, whose saves included a spectacular second-half, diving stop on Ciara Ostrander, finished with 15 saves. But she couldn’t stop a beautifully executed give-and-go between Menta and Eberts, with Eberts burying a left-footed shot with 28:27 left.

Quotables: “We didn’t have the legs for a speedy game,” said Peabody, whose team also fell to Somers in last year’s sectionals. “We just didn’t have it. But I give credit to them. They took advantage and are an experienced, quality group.” Of his goalie, he added, “She’s tremendous. Fortunately, she’s one of our strong points but we didn’t want her to be one of our strong points today.”

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

SHRUB OAK – The Pearl River boys soccer team shuffled into the locker room at Lakeland High knowing that it had only 40 minutes left to save its season.

Cornwall players watch the second goal scored by Pearl River’s Sean Coughlan during a Class A boys soccer regional final at Lakeland Nov. 7, 2015. Pearl River won 2-1.

Pearl River’s Sean Coughlan (6) is mobbed by his teammates after he scored one of his two goals during a Class A boys soccer regional final at Lakeland Nov. 7, 2015. Pearl River beat Cornwall 2-1.

Pearl River’s Sean Coughlan celebrates his first of two goals during a Class A boys soccer regional final at Lakeland Nov. 7, 2015. Pearl River beat Cornwall 2-1.

Cornwall’s Mike Rosario, left, fights for the ball with Pearl River’s Jake Kurzhals during their Class A boys soccer regional final at Lakeland Nov. 7, 2015. Pearl River won 2-1.

Pearl River’s Mark Russell (9) is pressured by Cornwall’s Ian Anderson during their Class A boys soccer regional final at Lakeland Nov. 7, 2015. Pearl River won 2-1.

The Pirates were trailing Section 9 champion Cornwall by one goal at halftime of Saturday’s Class A regional final, a harsh reality that hit hard for some.

One of their senior captains could sense the feeling of despair and decided that something needed to be said.

“Mark Russell got everyone to believe again,” fellow senior Sean Coughlan said. “Mark flipped out on us for having our heads down and sulking. He said, ‘Just believe in ourselves. We’ve done it before.’ ”

Russell’s impassioned speech provided all of the motivation that Pearl River needed, and Coughlan took care of the rest. He scored two second-half goals to lead the Pirates to a 2-1 comeback win and the program’s first-ever trip to the state final four.

They’ll play Section 2 champ Burnt Hills in the state semifinals at 8:45 a.m. Saturday at Middletown High.

“Sean’s huge,” senior defender Manuel Arango said. “We like to call him ‘Mr. Clutch.’ He comes up big in big games. Today, he showed us once again that he’s a man who gets it done.”

Cornwall took a 1-0 lead on a goal from David Germain in the 19th minute, but Pearl River was relentless in the second half.

Coughlan equalized on an assist from Kevin Doorley in the 59th minute and then scored the winner on a header off of Aidan Miller’s throw in the 72nd.

“We’ve been scoring off of those all year,” Coughlan said. “With those throw-ins, it’s whether you want it or not. Our heart was in it.”

Player of the game: Sean Coughlan, Pearl River — Known in previous seasons as a lock-down defender, the senior has shown his versatility this year with 19 goals. He’s been starting at forward and then moving to his traditional defensive position once the Pirates get a lead. And often times, he’s been the one providing the go-ahead goal.

Turning point: Just four minutes before Coughlan scored the equalizer, Arango made a gigantic play to prevent Cornwall from scoring a second goal, stepping in front of a shot that was inches away from crossing the goal line.

“Honestly, the only thing I remember at that point was the ball hitting my knee,” Arango said. “It’s just reaction. I saw my keeper go out a little and right away I knew I had to go in the net in case anything happened. Luckily, I got a piece of it.”

Stat line: Pearl River (19-2) — Coughlan scored twice on assists from Doorley and Miller and Dolan Ocasal made six saves. Cornwall (16-4-1) — Germain scored and Paul Martini made eight saves.

Quotable: “Before each of the playoff games, we look in the gym at the wall,” Arango said. “We have different plaques for different things, like league titles, section titles and state honorable mentions. We looked at that today and everyone had that in the back of their mind that we would be the first Pearl River soccer team to get up there for the state final four.”

Twitter:@vzmercogliano

Stepinac players celebrate their 20-12 victory over Cardinal Hayes in the CHSFL championship game at Fordham University in the Bronx Nov 21, 2015.

Stepinac’s Tyquell Fields (4) runs into the end zone for a first half touchdown against Cardinal Hayes during the CHSFL championship game at Fordham University in the Bronx Nov 21, 2015.

Stepinac’s Antonio Giannico (23) looks for some running room in the Cardinal Hayes defense during the CHSFL championship game at Fordham University in the Bronx Nov 21, 2015.

Stepinac’s Kobe Miranda (5) gets tackled by Cardinal Hayes’ Brasean Stewart (7) and Timothy Poindexter (2) on a first half run during the CHSFL championship game at Fordham University in the Bronx Nov 21, 2015.

Stepinac’s Terrell Morrison (6) breaks away from Cardinal Hayes’ Timothy Poindexter (2) on a first half run during the CHSFL championship game at Fordham University in the Bronx Nov 21, 2015.

Stepinac’s Antonio Giannico (23) gets a block from teammate Kobe Miranda (5) as he looks for some running room in the Cardinal Hayes defense during the CHSFL championship game at Fordham University in the Bronx Nov 21, 2015.

NEW YORK – Stepinac is enjoying the view.

After climbing the mountain last season and winning the school’s first CHSFL AAA championship, the Crusaders earned the right to linger atop the area’s premier league Saturday with a 20-12 win over Cardinal Hayes in this year’s final at Fordham University.

“It feels so good,” senior quarterback Tyquell Fields said. “The kids on this team, we’ve been together since we were 8 and 9 years old, so it’s a great ending.”

The season isn’t over yet.

Stepinac heads to Buffalo next weekend to play St. Francis High School for the state championship.

Fields is questionable.

He limped off the field at the end of the first quarter with a right ankle injury, got treatment and went back in. The dual threat was suddenly a pocket passer.

Story continues below gallery.

“It really made the playbook smaller,” Crusaders head coach Mike O’Donnell said. “Tyquell did a great job of hanging in there. We had to coach on the go tonight because we had a number of kids get banged up.”

Fields capped the game’s first drive with a 4-yard touchdown scamper. T.J. Morrison set up Antonio Giannico’s touchdown late in the first quarter with an interception and return.

Stepinac also got two field goals from Liam Butler.

The Cardinals were a stubborn opponent and had two second-half scores, but were stopped late in the fourth quarter with a chance to move down the field and tie. The Crusaders got some hard running from Giannico and Malik Crawford to seal the win.

“I believe this one is even better than last year,” Morrison said. “The seniors on that team did most of the work. On this one, we had to step up this season and prove to the world this is us.”

Player of the game: Morrison. The senior defensive back came up with a pair of interceptions and set up a pair of scores. He brought the first one back 46 yards, and Giannico eventually got into the end zone. He brought the second one back 68 yards and Butler eventually kicked a 25-yard field goal in the final seconds of the half to make it a 17-0 lead.

“He is a game-changer,” O’Donnell said. “He’s a kid who can put this team on his shoulders offensively and defensively.”

Turning point: Justin Covington made it a one-possession game with 8:47 to go and Cardinal Hayes forced a punt, getting the ball back with 6:15 to go. Stepinac was impressive on defense, never allowing momentum to completely switch. Malcolm Koonce and David Melendez came up with a timely sack, making it second-and-26 for the Cardinals, who never recovered.

Stat line: Fields was a stationary passer, completing 7 of 18 attempts for 84 yards after the injury. He also threw one interception. … Butler hit from 25 and 23 yards, and suffered a leg injury on the latter field goal attempt.

Quotable: “It’s an unbelievable thing for our school, the alumni, the community,” O’Donnell said. “For a team from Westchester to win this championship two years in a row, some great teams have done that over the years.”

From left, Valhalla’s Sierra Lockhart (12) and Samantha Morillo (32) put pressure on Westlake’s Angelina Guarnieri (23) during girls basketball action at Westlake High School in Thornwood Dec. 4, 2015. Valhalla won the game 66-57.

Valhalla’s Samantha Morillo (32) drives to the basket in front of Westlake’s Daniella Mulvey (14) during girls basketball action at Westlake High School in Thornwood Dec. 4, 2015. Valhalla won the game 66-57. Morillo finished with 21 points.

Valhalla’s Sierra Lockhart pulls down a rebound in front of Westlake’s Angela Mangione, right, during a girls basketball game at Westlake High School in Thornwood on Friday. Valhalla won the game 66-57.

THORNWOOD – Valhalla girls basketball head coach Stephen Boyer spent most of his time before Friday’s game with Westlake catching up with Wildcats head coach Sean Mayer. Talking, laughing, throwing sunflower seeds at him. You know, the usual pregame routine for any coach.

Friendship aside, Boyer and his team were there for one reason, and it didn’t involve sunflower seeds, cheerleaders, or Fetty Wap blasting over the speakers.

“We lost three times against (Westlake) last year,” Boyer said. “I reminded our girls, but they didn’t have to be reminded. They knew.

“They said, ‘Coach, don’t worry. We will be ready. We will take care of business.’ ”

That was a promise the Vikings intended to keep.

Valhalla erupted in the fourth quarter to pull away from Westlake, 66-57, in the rivalry matchup. Vikings sophomore Sam Morillo dominated the final quarter to finish with 21 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks.

Mayer tried to counteract Morillo’s presence on defense, but could not find an answer for the powerful 6-foot-1 center.

“Sam was just too tough,” he said. “It also helps when they make some shots. So you’ve got to go out and defend those jump shots, which, (Morillo) is tough to guard with one person, so if Valhalla was missing a little more shots, we could’ve doubled her.

“When they’re hitting the outside shots, it was hard to do that.”

Westlake point guard Natalie Alfieri was torrid out of the gate, scoring 13 points in the first quarter, but she quickly ran cold after Valhalla put a double team on her. The all-state junior scored just three points the remainder of the game, going scoreless in the second half.

Valhalla’s Sam Morillo gets ready to make a move to the basket against Westlake during a girls basketball game at Westlake High School in Thornwood on Friday. Valhalla won the game 66-57. Morillo finished with 21 points.

Player of the game: Sam Morillo, Valhalla: Morillo scored 16 of her 21 points in the second half, including 10 in the fourth quarter.

Turning point: Westlake captain Lauren Holzer missed most of the third quarter due to foul trouble. The sharpshooting guard scored eight of her 16 points in the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats really missed her leadership and scoring capabilities in the third.

Stat line: Morillo led all scorers, while eighth-grade teammate Shelby Sekenski added 19 points. Frankie Cuzzo had eight points and 17 rebounds for the Vikings. … Alfieri and Holzer each scored 16 points for the Wildcats.

Quotable: When asked what her goals were for the season, Morillo didn’t shy away: “To get to the County Center.”

Westlake’s Natalie Alfieri drives to the basket against Valhalla’s Sam Morillo during a girls basketball game at Westlake High School in Thornwood on Friday. Valhalla won the game 66-57.

Twitter: @Zacchio_LoHud, @LoHudGirlsHoops

Iona Prep’s Gio Gabbidon, left, and Christ the King’s Ronald Jefferson battle for the ball during a varsity basketball game at Iona Prep in New Rochelle Dec. 4, 2015.

Iona Prep’s Ty Jerome drives past Christ the King’s Tyrone Cohen during a varsity basketball game at Iona Prep in New Rochelle Dec. 4, 2015.

NEW ROCHELLE – With Iona Prep set to host a tripleheader with Christ the King Friday to raise money for his foundation, Quinn for the Win, Pat Quinn said he wanted Ty Jerome to “drop 30 points” in a win. The two saw each other before the game Friday night and joked about Quinn’s wish — only maybe Jerome wasn’t joking.

The Virginia-bound senior did Quinn a few better, scoring 37 points as Iona Prep beat Christ the King for the second straight year, winning 69-64.

Jerome scored 32 of his 37 in the final three quarters, including a three-point play on a floater that put Iona Prep in front in the final minutes.

Iona Prep’s Ty Jerome drives past Christ the King’s Tyrone Cohen during Friday night’s game at Iona Prep in New Rochelle. Jerome scored 37 points to lead the Gaels to the victory.

After a quiet stretch to open the game, Jerome started to find some room late in the first quarter. He pulled up from well behind the line to bury a 3-pointer at the quarter buzzer and went on to score 12 of his 17 first-half points in the second.

Jerome and the Gaels staked themselves to a 37-26 halftime lead despite starters Josh Alexander, Jon Brennan and Gio Gabbidon all being saddled with three fouls.

Thomson: Pat Quinn unites with alma mater to fight ALS

Christ the King pulled within reach and took the lead in the fourth quarter behind star Jose Alvarado. The speedy guard scored and flexed to the Iona Prep crowd after handing his team a 62-60 lead, but Jerome came back and scored over him and drew Alvarado’s fifth foul. The Gaels allowed just one point the rest of the game.

The game capped a tripleheader between the schools’ freshman, JV and varsity teams that doubled as a fundraiser for the Quinn for the Win foundation. Quinn, a 32-year old from Yonkers known as co-creator of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, is a 2001 Iona Prep graduate battling the disease.

Player of the game: Ty Jerome, Iona Prep. With so much foul trouble, Jerome was the last starter standing for the Gaels. He drew most of the Royals’ attention but still had a key three-point play to foul out Christ the King star Alvarado and give Iona Prep the lead for good. Jerome finished 12 for 26 from the field and was 9 for 9 from the line. He also had seven rebounds.

Turning point: As Iona Prep fought through foul trouble in the fourth quarter, it had to dip deep into its bench. After having only one deficit all night, the Gaels fell behind in the final minutes, but they kept control under the pressure, scoring seven of the final eight points.

Stat line: Alvarado, who didn’t start, scored 18 points off the bench before fouling out. … Patrick Fleming had eight points and four rebounds for Iona Prep and Nick Brennan had seven points.

Twitter:@lohudinsider

SHRUB OAK – Dana Bozek’s earliest field hockey memory is of hitting a ball in her yard with a light blue stick that was gigantic for her small size.

Sharon Sarsen recalls a little kid who liked hanging out with her older, field hockey-playing sisters and “finding any way to annoy any of the older kids she could find.”

Funny. Bozek just turned 18 but not much has changed. She still has a stick in her hand much of the time and remains adept at annoying other field hockey players. Most prominent on that list are the goalies against whom The Journal News Westchester/Putnam Field Hockey Player of the Year and All-State player racked up 46 goals this season.

Dana Bozek of Lakeland High School is the Westchester/Putnam Field Hockey Player of the Year.

Sarsen, whose Lakeland team has won seven straight state championships, knew early on that Bozek was special.

“On JV, she was just above and beyond,” said Sarsen, who called Bozek up to varsity when she was in eighth grade. “She understood the ins and outs of the game. That understanding and passion to play drove her to be the player she is today. Her attitude, drive and competitiveness really sets her apart.”

More: Journal News/lohud.com all-stars schedule

So does the fact that about 20 Division I teams recruited her.

Ultimately, Bozek, who scored 103 goals during her Lakeland career, decided on Wake Forest, one of the country’s top teams and the champion in 2014 of the powerhouse Atlantic Coast Conference.

“It’s super-competitive and, of course, there’s that North Carolina weather,” Bozek said of the allure.

Among the schools she passed on was the University of New Hampshire, where her eldest sister, Megan, (now a Boston College coach) was an All-American.

“I kind of want to write my own story in field hockey,” she said.

Playing for Wake means she’ll face middle sister Emma, who was red-shirted this season due to illness after leading the University of North Carolina in scoring last year.

“We’ll see who the better sister is next year,” Bozek said, laughing.

Dana Bozek of Lakeland High School is the Westchester/Putnam Field Hockey Player of the Year. She will be playing in college for Wake Forest.

Bozek’s mother, Donna, a former college runner, got her kids – as well as others in their Cortlandt neighborhood – into field hockey because she wanted them to be active.

While she plays spring lacrosse, field hockey is a year-round pursuit. Days after winning her fifth state championship, Bozek was on the Lakeland turf practicing, and winter indoor field hockey practice has already begun. Thanksgiving was spent, like so many others, away (this time in California) with the Sarsen-led Hudson Valley Field Hockey Club, which includes Bozek’s best friends since elementary school, Lakeland teammates Julia Kim, Brianna Muniz, Val Perkins and Katie Irish.

Bozek emphasizes wanting to become both a better person and player in college. She’d like an ACC championship and to follow Emma onto the U.S. under-21 national team.

She’ll go to college July 5 to begin classes and work with the training staff.  Bozek was a midfielder for Lakeland but it’s unclear where the Demon Deacons will play her.

She can absolutely blast shots – forehand and reverse. But, with extremely quick hands and an ability to read opponents, she dekes like no one else. One of her two goals in Lakeland’s 4-1 state-championship win over Garden City last month came off her deking multiple players, including the goalie.

Her field vision and passing ability also led to 25 assists this season and 83 for her Hornets career.

The combination adds up to one impressive player.

“She’s just the kid,” Sarsen said, “who you want with the ball all the time.”

The rest of The Journal News first-team all-stars:

Abby Abate, Sr., F., Rye: Known for her end-to-end game and speed, Abate gained All-State honors with eight goals and a team-high 18 assists, many coming after she won the race for 50-50 balls.

Lizzie Clarke, Sr., F., Mamaroneck: The Tigers’ scoring leader with 34 goals and 28 assists played a huge role in the team collecting its second straight state championship with multiple goals in the Section 1 final and regional championship and the assist in the Tigers’ double-overtime, 1-0 state-championship win over Ward-Melville. She was named All-State.

Gracie Fitzgerald, Sr., F., Mamaroneck: The All-State player, known for her transition game and strong, pin-point crosses, was a three-year starter. She scored 19 goals and had 16 assists.

Fusine Govaert, Jr., M., Rye: A very gifted player, Govaert, who first learned the game in her native Netherlands, is equally at ease dribbling around multiple players or firing a shot on net. And firing is an accurate term. Possessing an incredibly hard shot, the All-State player scored 33 goals and had 18 assists.

Megan Graham, Sr., F., Horace Greeley: The three-year starter and All-State player had 14 goals and seven assists with her speed a huge factor. That speed also made her a very effective flyer in the defensive end off opponent corners.

Jordan LaRaus, Sr., G., Fox Lane: Forty saves against the best team in the state in Lakeland might be enough to warrant first-team honors. But LaRaus turned away 144 shots in all this season to garner All-State honors.

Julia Kim, Sr., D., Lakeland: After playing up front, Kim moved back to defense last year without a problem. In fact, she was named All-State both last year and this year. A cornerstone of Lakeland’s shutdown D, she’ll play for the University of Albany next year.

Brianna Muniz, Sr., F., Lakeland: The Sienna-bound Muniz was the fastest player on a very fast team. Muniz set a school record with a whopping 41 assists this season and also scored 16 goals en route to being named All-State.

Erin Nicholas, Jr., M, Scarsdale: Seventeen goals and nine assists add up to only part of the story about this gifted athlete, who notched All-State honors also for her defensive work, including as the flyer on defensive corners.

Val Perkins, Sr., M., Lakeland: Her coach calls Perkins Lakeland’s “engine,” which is saying something since the Hornets are the best team in New York and the winner of seven straight state titles. A Junior Olympian two years ago, the All-State player who had 12 goals and 20 assists, will play for Quinnipiac next year.

Coaches of the year: Sharon Sarsen (Lakeland) and John Savage (Mamaroneck). Sarsen’s Lakeland Hornets won their seventh consecutive state championship and remained undefeated for a third straight season and undefeated against New York opponents for a seventh straight year. Savage’s Mamaroneck Tigers won their second straight state title, with the championship game being a double-overtime, 1-0 thriller.

Second team

*– Denotes All-State

* Raquel Coppola, Sr., F., North Salem

* Alyssa Dolan, Sr., F., Valhalla

Megan Fahey, Jr., F., Lakeland

*Fiona Grant, So., D., Horace Greeley

*Lilly Grass, Sr. F., Bronxville

* Mia Lennon, Jr., D., Lakeland

Danielle Mercante, So., F., Panas

* Michaela Nicholas, Sr., M., Scarsdale

Anastasia Pennacchio, Sr., G., North Salem

* Lotje Rogaar, So., D, Rye

* Ally Steffen, Jr., M., Byram Hills

Honorable mention

Natalie Alpert, Jr., F., Rye Country Day; Lindsey Andreana, Sr., M., Ursuline; Elisa Arcara, Sr., D., Harrison; Jacqueline Bendeson, Jr., G., Pleasantville: Teagan Burke, Jr., F., Croton-Harmon; Catherine Calidonna, Sr., F., Yorktown; Lindsay Chafizadeh, Sr., M., Irvington; Emma Coleman, Jr., D., Scarsdale; Morgan Connor, Sr., G., Hackley; Charlotte Cooper, Sr., M., Rye Country Day; Paige Danehy, Jr., M., Mamaroneck; Christina DeCarlo, Sr., G., Harrison; Malinka Drabek, Sr., M., Croton-Harmon; Maddy Fitzwilliam, Sr., M., Holy Child; Olivia Friedberg, 8th, F., Rye Country Day; Tiffany Horn, Sr., D., Carmel; Katie Irish, Sr., D., Lakeland; Katie Jacaki, Sr., F., Horace Greeley; Melanie Mandell, Sr., G., Rye Country Day; Victoria McGee, Sr., M., Edgemont; Sophie Miller, Jr., M., Mamaroneck; Megan Mullaney, Sr., F., Mamaroneck; Brennan O’Toole, Sr., D., Bronxville: Ally Petitti, Sr., M., Hackley; Lila Pfohl, Jr., F., Holy Child; Ashley Polera, Sr., M., Byram Hills; Nikki Potter, So., F., Horace Greeley; Anne Rogaar, Sr., D., Rye; Hailey Spencer, Sr., M., John Jay; Tierney Spencer, Sr., M., John Jay; Ellie Walsh, Jr., M., Bronxville

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

Liz Trojan from Suffern High School is The Journal News Rockland Field Hockey Player of the Year. Here she is pictured at the school, Dec. 4, 2015.

Gaby Somma calls her funny. And goofy. But then there’s also this:

“She’s one of the best athletes I’ve seen in years.”

The Suffern field hockey coach is talking about senior Liz Trojan, whose 20 goals and nine assists this season helped make her an All-State player and The Journal News Rockland Field Hockey Player of the Year.

What’s amazing about that is that field hockey is Trojan’s third sport.

Liz Trojan from Suffern High School is The Journal News Rockland Field Hockey Player of the Year. Trojan is a three-sport star and naturally gifted athlete.

Yes, Somma said, she could play it in college.

But, then, she could also play college basketball (she’s the Suffern girls basketball team’s 6-foot-2 center) and college lacrosse (she’s a midfielder, joining varsity at the end of eighth grade) and, in fact, will play lacrosse for Division I Villanova next year.

“She’s a star in all three sports,” said Somma, who loves three-sport athletes.

More: Journal News/lohud.com all-stars schedule

Rockland news email: Sign up for the Rockland Angle e-newsletter

In Trojan, she got a kid who scored 25 goals last year during her first year on varsity, a kid with breakaway speed and a hard shot.

Through high school, she has rejected coaches’ pleas for her to play volleyball and run track.
Field hockey, which she began playing in a fifth-grade clinic before joining the middle school team in seventh grade, gave her the opportunity to play with her one-sport twin sister, Caroline, who, by comparison, is a diminutive 5-9.

But Trojan’s heart belongs to lacrosse, a sport she has played on the club level since second grade.

“Field hockey is more of a fun sport to do,” says Trojan, whose All-State selection seems remarkable since she doesn’t play on an outside club team.

Suffern High’s Liz Trojan had 20 goals and nine assists this season, which helped make her an All-State player.

“My strength in field hockey is probably just my speed,” she said. “Honestly, I’m not the best dribbler on the team.”

Whatever the reason for her success, she scored in Suffern’s most meaningful game this season, a 4-1 sectional upset win of North Rockland, a squad that it had earlier lost to and tied.

Her parents, Vincent and Maureen, were at that game. In fact, her folks attend all her games, while also scrambling to make the games of their younger daughters, freshman siblings Anna and Grace, who are also twins.

The family support Trojan experiences doesn’t stop with direct family, though.

“We’re just a close team,” Trojan said of her field hockey group, adding her teammates always put team ahead of themselves.

“It’s just such an amazing game to be a part of,” she says, adding she may play club field hockey in college if her college lacrosse coach allows it or at least will make Suffern’s alumni games.

Somma would like that. The coach, who’ll remember Trojan dancing with teammates on the field before games and making everyone laugh, will probably most remember her, though, as an incredibly naturally gifted athlete.

“If we had cricket at Suffern, I’m sure she’d succeed in that, too,” Somma said.

The rest of The Journal News first-team Rockland All-Stars

Alyssa Conklin, Sr., M/D., Suffern: The workhorse rarely left the field this season. While primarily playing a defensive role, the very athletic senior scored nine goals and had four assists.

Jenna Fox, Sr., F., North Rockland: Known for her speed and agility, the four-year varsity starter scored 11 goals and added five assists this season.

Colleen Geyer, Jr., M., Clarkstown South: Geyer had eight goals and three assists but played a much bigger role in the Vikings’ success than those stats might indicate. She was responsible for creating offense by carrying the ball up past midfield.

Kate Gutenberger, Sr., M., North Rockland: The St. Thomas Aquinas-bound player is recognized for her aerial dribbling, powerful shot and strong defensive clears. She had 13 goals and seven assists this season.

Kerri Gutenberger, Fr., F., North Rockland: A nine-goal, three-assist freshman, Gutenberger seems to have a huge field hockey future.

Cara Mahon, Sr., M., Pearl River: The three-year varsity player is known for her good transition game and calm-amid-the-storm temperament. She’s a strong dribbler, has good field vision and is a strong passer. The last of those qualities led to her being her squad’s inserter on corners.

Kayla Moreau, Sr., M., Pearl River: She may be heading to Quinnipiac to play lacrosse but Moreau distinguished herself in field hockey this season.  She took the penalty strokes for the Pirates, was the team’s top striker off corners and also stood out by dominating one-on-one battles for the ball.

Arielle Rodriguez, Jr., F., Nyack: Characterized as a game-changer by her coach, the four-season varsity player is recognized for both her offensive and defensive contributions, much of which stems from her speed. She had a team-leading six goals and five assists this season.

Alyssa Sanchez, Jr., G., Suffern: Thirty-plus saves against eventual state Class A champion Mamaroneck is only part of her story. She also saved more than 30 shots against Rye, whose only loss this year was to Lakeland, the best team in any class in the state. In all, Sanchez, an “amazing athlete,” according to her coach, had 142 stops.

Dana Studnitzer, Jr., F., Clarkstown South: Studnitzer was an offensive spark plug for the Vikings with 12 goals and four assists.

Coach of the year: Gaby Somma, Suffern: Somma’s team was a little up and down to begin the season but ultimately was the fifth seed in Class A. Major wins included beating Scarsdale during the regular season and No. 4 North Rockland during sectionals.

Second team

Rania Abdelqader, Sr., G., Clarkstown North

Christina Hanos, Sr., F., Clarkstown South

Kelly Flood, Sr., D., Pearl River

Bridget Geyer, Sr., G., Clarkstown South

Sophie Jay, Jr., F., Suffern

Danielle Lydecker, Jr., F/M., Nyack

Cayleen Murphy, Sr., D., North Rockland

Danielle Noia, Jr., M., Clarkstown South

Arleigh Rodgers, Jr., F/M., Nyack

Carly Shapiro, Sr., D., Suffern

Kelly Yorke, Sr., S, Pearl River

Honorable mention

Corinne Berkery, Jr., M., Nanuet; Mary Calan, Jr., D., North Rockland; Liz Fox, So., M., North Rockland;

Jessica Haney, Jr., M., Nanuet; Kristen McGrade, Jr., F., Clarkstown North

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

North Rockland beat New Rochelle 46-17 in a Division 1 quarterfinal of the Section 1 Dual Meet Championships at North Rockland Dec. 8, 2015.

New Rochelle’s Moises Tera, right, won by technical fall over North Rockland’s Josh Fernandez in their 132-pound match of the Division 1 quarterfinals of the Section 1 Dual Meet Championships at North Rockland Dec. 8, 2015. North Rockland won 46-17.

Matthew Kramer of John Jay Cross River, in purple, defeated Amos Rivera of Fox Lane in a 120 pound bout during a wrestling meet at John Jay High School Dec. 8, 2015.

John Jay’s Halil Gecaj, right, defeated Scarsdale’s Ethan Raff in the 220-pound finals match at the Rye Dual Meet Tournament Dec. 6, 2014.

Johnny Santos of Fox Lane, in red, defeated Ethan Zimeless of John Jay Cross River in a 195 pound bout during a wrestling meet at John Jay High School Dec. 8, 2015.

CROSS RIVER – After losing handily to Fox Lane’s Jon Clune last season, partly due to a hand injury, John Jay’s Halil Gecaj was ready for his rematch against him on at the Section 1 Division I Dual Meet quarterfinals Tuesday.

Wrestling in front of his hometown fans, and under the single bright spotlight of the John Jay High School gym, only amped him up that much more.

Trailing 3-2 late in the final period of the 220-pound match, Gecaj managed to pull off a deft maneuver and score a takedown with only 57 seconds left to go up 4-3. Gecaj held on the rest of the way to give his team an important three points and a 9-3 lead.

“I was a little nervous stepping onto the mat because he is one of the best wrestlers at 220,” Gecaj said. “I knew had to prove something, under my light, my home mat, my fans, just to step up.”

John Jay’s other wrestlers took care of business the rest of the way, and the Indians defeated Fox Lane 54-24 to secure a spot in the Division I Final Four, which will take place at John Jay High School on Tuesday, Dec. 15.

“We had some great moments, some not so great, but overall, I thought we wrestled pretty well,” John Jay head coach Bill Swertfager said. “Fox Lane is our arch-rivals; it’s always a competitive match with them.”

One bright spot for Fox Lane, a squad that heavily features freshmen and sophomores, was Matt Grippi, who scored a 3-0 decision over John Jay’s Connor Melbourne in the 152-pound match.

“I’m going 138 for the season; I bumped up to 152 here, so I got some big competition; I just wanted to keep it smart,” Grippi said. “We’re a lot better than last year. This year, we made a lot of improvement over the offseason; the next two years, we’ll be as good as John Jay, if not better.”

Man of the match: Halil Gecaj, John Jay. After trailing 1-0 in the first two rounds, the sophomore managed to take a 2-1 lead early in the third period against Clune. After missing a chance to end the match at that point, he managed to come back and secure a late victory.

Turning point: After having to forfeit the 99-pound match, Fox Lane got back-to-back pins from Matias Rivera (106) and Quincey Downes (113) to claw back to a 21-15 deficit. However, consecutive pins from Louie Cree (126) and Ray Cotto (132) gave John Jay a sizable lead back.

Quotable: “It’s a different feeling; I played football under the lights, which is a good feeling, but it’s not like having a spotlight dangling over your head,” Gecaj said of the chance of wrestling at his high school in the Dual Meet finals. “Being able to host the semifinals and the finals, it’s just something else. It’s the best feeling in the world getting your hand raised under the spotlight.”

Twitter:@Szkolar_Lohud

John Jay 54, Fox Lane 24

182 – Evan Frank (JJ) pin Mark Caracciolo (FL) 0:18. 195 – Johnny Santos (FL) dec. Ethan Zimeles (JJ) 10-9. 220 – Halil Gecaj dec. Jonathan Clune (FL) 4-3. 285 – Benji Gecaj (JJ) pin Tyler Thomas (FL) 1:11. 99 – Chris Cook (JJ) by forfeit. 105 – Matias Rivera (FL) pin Jason Salton (FL) 4:42. 113 – Quincey Downes (FL) pin Ethan Kaplan (JJ) 2:51. 120 – Matthew Kramer (JJ) dec. Amos Rivera (FL) 6-3. 126 – Louie Cree (JJ) pin Brandon Saxton (FL) 0:59. 132 – Ray Cotto (JJ) pin Sergio Castillo (FL) 2:29. 138 – Joshua Rauch (FL) pin Chris Kelly (JJ) 5:50. 145 – Robert Bauer (JJ) pin Sem Segastume (FL) 4:36. 152 – Matthew Grippi (FL) dec. Connor Melbourne (JJ) 3-0. 160 – Chris Holze (JJ) pin Josh Witz (FL) 0:39. 170 – Eric Eberhardt (JJ) by forfeit.

Mount Vernon’s Noah Morgan (30) puts up a shot in front of Saunders’ Vaughndras Kennon (10) during first half basketball action at Mount Vernon High School Jan. 9, 2016. Mount Vernon won the game 62-52.

MOUNT VERNON – Few teams in Section 1 turn the corner more quickly and with more regularity than Saunders. Mount Vernon used that tendency against the Blue Devils in a rematch of last year’s sectional semifinal at the County Center. And when they drove, it was usually Jayquan Smith who stood there in wait.

The 6-foot-5, 180-pound Smith had just one basket, but the junior big man made a key sacrifice to earn minutes off the bench. He drew five charges and the Knights baited Saunders into 11 offensive fouls as they pulled away, 62-52, at Mount Vernon High School on Saturday.

“They were overly aggressive and out of control,” said Smith, one of only three newcomers who weren’t in uniform when the Knights, now 6-3, beat Saunders at the County Center last February. “It’s something we practice every day in practice. I just brought it to the game today.”

Smith’s defensive work helped goad big man Vaughn Lennon and point guard Anthony Miller into foul trouble. Both eventually fouled out and the time they spent on the bench proved costly in a game that was tightly contested until the final minute.

“I had to sacrifice my body for my team,”  Smith said. “I’ll do anything for my team to help us win.”

Saunders coach Anthony Nicodemo let it be known afterward he wasn’t thrilled with the volume of foul calls against his team, which was whistled for 22.

“The best officials should be working the top games and this was the top game today,” said Nicodemo, whose team dropped to 6-4. “It was high-level basketball. There are seven or eight scholarship players out there. These kids deserve that. We got what we got, and you see that at times they dictate the outcome of the game.”

Mount Vernon’s Marco Morency (20) puts down a shot in front of Saunders’ Nick Nolan (23) during first half basketball action at Mount Vernon High School Jan. 9, 2016. Mount Vernon won the game 62-52.

Player of the game: Marco Morency, Mount Vernon. The junior guard delivered on both ends of the floor. He scored a team-high 16 points and had five rebounds and three assists and also spent time defending Saunders star Derrick Felder, who finished 4 for 15 from the field.

Turning point: After Mount Vernon had threatened to pull away, Saunders spent the second half climbing back. The Blue Devils were within six points, 51-45, after a Lennon basket. They then forced a turnover and had a chance to pull even closer when Lennon drove through Smith on his way to the rim and was whistled for his fifth foul with 4:04 remaining. Saunders never came any closer playing without the 6-foot-7 senior, who had eight points and six rebounds in limited minutes.

Stat line: Noah Morgan had 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks for Mount Vernon. Demetre Roberts added 13 points, three assists and two steals off the bench. … The Knights finished 15 for 18 from the foul line. … Miller (16 points) and Felder (14) led Saunders in scoring, but the two seniors were just 10 for 32 combined from the field. As a team, the Blue Devils shot just 11 for 40 in the second half after firing at 50 percent in the first half.

Quotable: Mount Vernon coach Bob Cimmino on Smith: “He’s good. He’s talented. I thought at tryouts that he was exactly what I would need if I went shopping and could shop for players off the aisles. Now, maybe I’m right.”

Twitter:@lohudinsider

Mount Vernon’s Jamie Wiltshire (35) steals the ball from Saunders’ Derrick Felder (5) during first half basketball action at Mount Vernon High School Jan. 9, 2016. Mount Vernon won the game 62-52.

Scarsdale’s Max Bosco (11) drives to the basket in front of White Plains’ Luis Cartagena (5) during a boys basketball game at Scarsdale High School Jan. 12, 2016.

White Plains’ C.J. Layne (11) goes up for a shot in front of Scarsdale’s Max Bosco (11) during a boys basketball game at Scarsdale High School Jan. 12, 2016.

White Plains’ Luis Cartagena (5) goes up for a shot in front of Scarsdale’s Sam Squadron (30) Max Bosco (11) during a boys basketball game at Scarsdale High School Jan. 12, 2016.

White Plains’ C.J. Layne (11) gets between Scarsdale’s Matt Berger (5) and Max Bosco (11) during a boys basketball game at Scarsdale High School Jan. 12, 2016.

SCARSDALE – Until recently, this season has been a tough one for White Plains’ CJ Layne.

The senior forward has been out most of the year with an injury, and Tuesday’s game at Scarsdale was only the third time he has suited up this season.

After putting up 17 points on five three-pointers, including three in the fourth quarter, Layne seems to be getting back into the swing of things.

More importantly, his team won the league match-up 66-51.

“It feels great. I was watching my team go up and down, and now I’m here with them again,” Layne said. “I just play my game. My teammates find way for me to get open, and I just have to hit shots.”

Scarsdale opened with a 12-3 run, but White Plains pushed back and, led by senior guard Luis Cartegena, managed to take its first lead of the game with 4:22 left in the second quarter.

“In the beginning of the game, we had that nervousness,” Cartegena said. “We took a couple of bad shots to start. They are our rivals.”

The win snapped a brief slide for White Plains, which had lost its last two games — to Byram Hills and New Rochelle.

“This win was a good tension-easer,” Layne said. “We were riled up after those two losses.”

Player of the game: Luis Cartegena. Showing his usual combination of dribble-drive penetration and off-dribble shooting, Cartegena put up a game-high 26 points, including 14 in the first half.

Turning point: Scarsdale and White Plains traded baskets with each other towards the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth quarter. However, Layne hit back-to-back three pointers to put White Plains up 60-49 with 4:02 left, effectively putting the game out of reach.

“I know that he could light it up,” Scarsdale head coach Billy Murphy said. “But we got guys who can light it up too, and they didn’t do it tonight.”

Stat line: Cartegena went 8-for-9 from the free-throw line, and also hit two three-pointers. Matt Scott chipped in with seven points for White Plains. Scarsdale’s Caleb Krohn had a team-high 19 points. Max Bosco added 11 points for the Raiders.

Quotable: “He’s starting to get his legs back, he can shoot with anybody; when he’s on, he’s tough to stop, he breaks zones,” White Plains head coach Spencer Mayfield said of Layne. “We’re just looking for him to provide that outside shooting, and he did a good job defensively too.”

Lakeland’s Trevor McCarthy (24) passes from his knees in front of Walter Panas’ Brandon Hodge (1) during boys basketball action at Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak Jan. 13, 2016. Lakeland won the game 36-22.

Lakeland’s Pat Morrelli (5) drives to the basket in front Walter Panas’ Brandon Ramos (5) during boys basketball action at Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak Jan. 13, 2016. Lakeland won the game 36-22.

Lakeland’s Nick Fazio (25) drives to the basket in front Walter Panas’ Shakiem White (45) during boys basketball action at Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak Jan. 13, 2016. Lakeland won the game 36-22.

Lakeland’s Eric Pombo (11) goes up for a shot in front Walter Panas’ Jeremy Keefe (21) during boys basketball action at Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak Jan. 13, 2016. Lakeland won the game 36-22.

SHRUB OAK – The story the scoreboard told at halftime was a forgettable one: Lakeland and Panas had played 16 minutes and combined for just 18 points. As Steve Fallo told his team what he liked and what he didn’t at halftime, he knew only one thing truly mattered.

He cared about the end result, nothing more.

“I don’t care what the score is,” Fallo said. “I never did.”

His Hornets survived the early slog and prevailed 37-22 at home over the rival Panthers on Wednesday. They kept playing defensively and finally found enough shots to fall.

“Tonight really was our best defensive effort and we’ve played pretty well defensively,” said Fallo, who took over the boys program after a successful run as the varsity girls coach. “We’ve only given up 47 points a game prior to this, but we’ve had defensive lapses at times. I thought in this game we put it all together.”

Trevor McCarthy, who, like big man Nick Fazio, sat a large chunk of the first half in foul trouble, buried a pull-up jumper to give Lakeland (6-6) a 23-17 lead after three quarters. Fazio returned in the fourth and produced a quick 5-0 run that allowed the Hornets to assert control.

The 6-foot-8 senior had a dunk and a three-point play to push their lead into double digits.

“We tried to get the ball inside most of the time and go inside-out,” Fazio said. “With that dunk, we got the crowd going, our bench going. It was pretty exciting.”

Player of the game: Nick Fazio, Lakeland. Despite missing most of the first three quarters, Fazio finished with a game-high nine points. It may not sound like much, but his scoring and rebounding were instrumental during a 15-0 Lakeland run.

Turning point: Prior to McCarthy’s jumper to end the third quarter, Panas had created defensive pressure and pulled within 21-17. That’s when Lakeland’s defense took over and held the Panthers without a point until all starters were lifted with 2:32 remaining.

Stat line: Lakeland led just 11-7 at the break after the teams combined for just six points in the second quarter. … Eric Pombo added seven points for the Hornets. … Brandon Ramos led Panas with six points. … Panas beat Lakeland 48-41 on Dec. 12 in its tournament championship game.

Quotable: “Things we were executing in the first half defensively in the second half we didn’t,” said Panas coach Shawn Sullivan, whose team dropped to 6-5. “They made some nice plays to take it from four or six (points) up to 10 in no time. At this end, we had no answers.”

Brewster Bulldogs goalie Jeromy Semtner (33) stops a shot from Danville Dashers’ A.J. Tesoriero during an overtime shootout in a Federal Hockey League game at Brewster Ice Arena Jan. 17, 2016. Brewster won the game 6-5.

Brewster Bulldogs’ Janis Berzins (20) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal against the Danville Dashers in an overtime shootout during a Federal Hockey League game at Brewster Ice Arena Jan. 17, 2016. Brewster won the game 6-5.

From right, Brewster Bulldogs’ Janis Berzins (20) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal against the Danville Dashers in an overtime shootout during a Federal Hockey League game at Brewster Ice Arena Jan. 17, 2016. Brewster won the game 6-5.

Brewster Bulldogs’ Janis Berzins (20) gets a shot by Danville Dashers goalie Matt Anthony (35) for the game winning goal in an overtime shootout during a Federal Hockey League game at Brewster Ice Arena Jan. 17, 2016. Brewster won the game 6-5.

BREWSTER – On the surface, going 1-1-1 over a three-game stretch may seem mediocre.

For the Brewster Bulldogs, however, it could be the sign of a turnaround.

After losing to Danville by one goal on Friday and losing to Danbury in a shootout on Saturday, Brewster ended the week on a good note with a 6-5 shootout win in a rematch against Danville on Sunday at the Brewster Ice Arena.

A first-year expansion team in the Federal Hockey League, the win moved the Bulldogs from fifth-place to fourth-place in the six-team league.

For a team that suffered several blowout losses to start the season, it’s a big step forward.

“It’s a different atmopshere in the room; we’re better at practice and guys are communicating,” forward MJ Graham said. “We’re a real team now, and that’s getting us points. This weekend, we came out with three points, but we could have had nine.”

Danville, the first-place team in the league, dominated possession early and got a goal from Justin Brausen with 4:26 left in the first period. However, with 1:06 left in the period, Brewster’s Zach Hale tied the game on a shot from the point.

In the second period, Danville managed to take a 3-1 lead on quick goals from Justin Levac and Andrew Harrison, but Brewster managed to tie the game back up on goals from John Scully and Graham.

With one minute left in the second period, Brewster got its first lead of the game after Scully tipped in a point shot from defenseman Tristan Lysko to make it 5-4.

Harrison’s third goal of the game at the 17:22 mark of the third period tied the game at five.

After a scoreless overtime, Brewster’s Janis Berzins, a forward from Latvia, scored both of the Bulldogs’ goals to win the shootout by a 2-1 score.

Graham and Nicolai Oklolbistyn, a 27-year-old forward from Russia, both had one-goal, two-assist games to lead the way, Scully had two goals and Lysko had two assists.

“The first game against Danville, we should have won too,” Oklolbistyn said. “Our team is getting better and better, step-by-step. We have a good team.”

Brewster, which is now 3-1-1 in its last five, will host local rivals Danbury on Friday at 7:35 p.m.

“We’ve gotten better; the last couple of weekends, we’ve strung together some pretty good games,” Brewster captain Mike Zanella said. “Our work ethic has been there all year, but now we’re becoming a smarter team.”

Twitter:  @Szkolar_Lohud

Woodlands’ Teisha Hyman is pressured by Ardsley’s Allie Mazarakes during their game at Woodlands Jan. 19, 2016.

Woodlands’ Teisha Hyman blocks a shot by Ardsley’s Chryssa Georgadakis during their game at Woodlands Jan. 19, 2016.

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HARTSDALE – As the shot clock and game clock wound down, Woodlands freshman Teisha Hyman realized she wasn’t getting past Ardsley sophomore Danielle Scaperrotta.

So, she went over her.

Hyman planted back on her left foot to create enough space for a shot, then launched an NBA-range 3-pointer that touched nothing but nylon once it left her fingertips.

“Once it left my hand, I was like, ‘That’s good,’ ” Hyman said after her game-winning shot with 2.4 seconds left lifted Woodlands to a thrilling 49-48 win Tuesday night at home.

VIDEO: @WoodlandsAth freshman Teisha Hyman buries a game-winning 3-pointer. #NYSPHSAA @NYSSWA https://t.co/QzbodYqlOW

—
Mike Zacchio (@Zacchio_LoHud) January 19, 2016

Woodlands planned to honor Hyman, who scored her 1,000th career point Saturday, after her first basket Tuesday. The Falcons called a timeout with 4:48 left in the first quarter following a finger-roll layup by the freshman phenom to present her with a plaque and game ball to be signed by the team.

Hyman is the eighth player in Woodlands history to reach the milestone, including the sixth member of the girls’ program. With more than three full seasons of varsity eligibility left, Hyman could challenge the Section 1 all-time scoring record, held by Ossining alumna and current UConn junior Saniya Chong.

Chong scored 2,988 career points in four seasons with the Pride.

Ardsley head coach Marc Hattem said there was nothing more his team could’ve done on the winning possession.

“I think Scappy is as good of an on-the-ball defender as there is,” Hattem said. “What goes through my mind? ‘Don’t go in the hoop,’ and it did, and it’s unfortunate, but I thought we guarded it well.”

As the first quarter came to a close, Ardsley was called for a questionable foul on Hyman as she chucked up a halfcourt buzzer-beater. The Ardsley bench was livid and Hattem told the official, “That could cost us,” before Hyman made two of her three free throws.

Woodlands is currently ranked second in the state among Class B schools under first-year head coach Anthony Jackson, and has now beaten both of last year’s section finalists in Irvington and Ardsley.

“I like the group of girls that we have,” Jackson said. “I’m privileged. I’m happy to be here.”

Former Ossining product Moriah Cherry led the Falcons with 21 points. Nicolina Chenard paced Ardsley with a game-high 25 points.

Twitter: @Zacchio_LoHud, @LoHudGirlsHoops

Spring Valley’s Mavenson Therneus (15) drives past North Rockland’s Jesse Degraft (23) during a boys basketball game at Spring Valley High School on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016. Spring Valley won 43-41.

Spring Valley’s Marc Dorsainvil goes up for a shot against North Rockland’s Levance Jackson during Friday’s game.

Spring Valley’s Jy’Quan Boykin (5) drives to the basket and draws a foul during their 43-41 win over North Rockland at Spring Valley High School on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016.

Spring Valley’s Marc Dorsainvil (3) goes up against North Rockland’s Levance Jackson (25) during a boys basketball game at Spring Valley High School on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016. Spring Valley won 43-41.

Spring Valley’s Jesse DeGraft (3) drives against North Rockland’s Michael Arias (11) during a boys basketball game at Spring Valley High School on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016. Spring Valley won 43-41.

Spring Valley’s Mavenson Therneus (15) drives past North Rockland’s Jesse DeGraft (23) during a boys basketball game at Spring Valley High School on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016. Spring Valley won 43-41.

Spring Valley’s Jy’Quan Boykin (5) drives to the basket and draws a foul during their 43-41 win over North Rockland at Spring Valley High School on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016.

SPRING VALLEY – It wasn’t pretty for Spring Valley, but the Tigers held tough throughout their league match-up against North Rockland, holding off the Red Raiders in a 43-41 win on Friday.

North Rockland had the final possession with 2.6 seconds left, and got an inbounds pass to Jose Diaz. His 3-point attempt rimmed out, and North Rockland was unable to get to the rebound.

Spring Valley avenged a loss to the Red Raiders earlier in the season.

It was a fitting end between two of Rockland’s best schools, both of which figure to be contenders in the Section 1 Class AA tournament next month.

Spring Valley’s Jesse Degraft drives against North Rockland’s Michael Arias during Friday’s game.

North Rockland came into Friday with an 11-2 record, including a winning streak that started over a month ago. With 11 seniors on the roster, the team’s defense and rebounding have been big strengths this year.

The team is looking better than last year’s edition, which went 12-7 and lost in the sectional tournament’s opening round to Suffern.

While several players contribute on the offensive end, senior guard Mike Arias and senior forward Jesse Degraft have emerged as the go-to options.

“The feeling around the locker room is great,” Degraft said. “We just got to keep on with the intensity and high level of play.”

With the majority of the roster graduating after this year, there is also a sense of urgency to come away with a gold ball.

“We all have experience, we’ve been playing together for a really long time,” Arias said. “We’ve been wanting this since sophomore year. We know it’s going to be our last year, so we want to give it all we got.”

Spring Valley, the defending Class A champ, came into Friday on a five-game winning streak. After starting the season 5-0, which included a dramatic win over Westchester power Saunders, the team dropped four straight, including an upset loss to Carmel.

“Those four losses, it was part where we realized we had to get our minds right,” senior guard Marc Dorsainvil said. “We can’t learn to win without losing; we just got our minds right and began playing like we did to win the first give games.”

Having relied primarily on the likes of key players Rickey McGill and Kai Mitchell last year, the team has relied more on its depth this season. On Friday, nearly the entire team got playing time at some point in the game.

One of the team’s key players, junior forward Devan Lawson, had shoulder surgery on Tuesday and will miss the rest of the basketball season.

Despite that loss, the Tigers still have the likes of Dorsainvil, arguably the team’s best scorer, along with fellow senior guard Jy’Quan Boykin.

“Everyone just has to step up,” Boykin said. “Me and Marc, we’re two leaders that have to step up. Everybody has to play their role.”

According to Dorsainvil, there was some trash-talking between the two schools leading up to the game. The teams won’t meet again in the regular season, but could potentially face off in sectionals.

If it happens, the game should be a good one.

“I don’t like losing twice, I don’t like losing, period,” Boykin said. “The best time to get hot is before the playoffs, and we’re all just starting to play our games.”

Player of the game: Marc Dorsainvil, Spring Valley. Despite hitting only 1 of 9 free-throw attempts, Dorsainvil still had a team-high seven rebounds, to go with 10 points.

Turning point: North Rockland took a 10-5 lead with 2:46 left in the opening quarter after consecutive 3s from Lucas Ancin and Arias. Spring Valley then went on a 10-0 run to take the lead to end the quarter. The Tigers wouldn’t relenquish the lead for the rest of the game.

Stat line: For Spring Valley, Zachary Grant had seven points and five rebounds (four offensive) and Michael Maynes had eight points and four assists. … For North Rockland, Arias had 14 points, with Jason Schneider chipping in with 10 points.

Twitter: @Szkolar_Lohud

Carly Loverro, right of Ardsley cheers during the 1st day of the 67th annual Westchester County Cheerleading invitational at Westchester Count Center in White Plain on Jan. 27, 2016.

Samantha Bruno, left, of Putnam Valley cheers during the 1st day of the 67th annual Westchester County Cheerleading invitational at Westchester Count Center in White Plain on Jan. 27, 2016.

Meagan DeMarchis of Croton Harmon cheers during the 1st day of the 67th annual Westchester County Cheerleading invitational at Westchester Count Center in White Plain on Jan. 27, 2016.

Abigail Alvarez, of Putnam Valley cheers during the 1st day of the 67th annual Westchester County Cheerleading invitational at Westchester Count Center in White Plain on Jan. 27, 2016.

WHITE PLAINS – For Hen Hud’s varsity cheerleading team, it was nearly a six-hour wait to get on the mat to show their stuff at the 67th annual Westchester County Cheerleading Invitational at the County Center on Wednesday.

The wait turned out to be worth it for the 31-member group.

The Sailors nailed their routine to win the invitational’s large-team division and secure a chance to compete for the Grand Champion title on Thursday.

Hen Hud cheerleaders celebrate their large-team division victory during the first day of competition Wednesday.

“It was nerve-racking; it took us a lot of time to prepare for this moment,” Hen Hud senior Katie Luposello said. “In the end, it all worked out. We got our first-place trophy that we wanted all along.”

It was also fitting that the team’s coach, Nicole Selvaggi-Landry, was honored as the area’s coach of the year after the competition. To help the team get focused from the lengthy downtime, she gave the team a pump-up speech.

“She gives the best speeches,” Luposello said. “She cheered for Hen Hud as well; when she came back as a coach, she knew exactly how Hen Hud was and our spirit. She knows how to put it in other people.”

Related: Cheerleading’s legitimacy reflected in Westchester Invitational

North Rockland cheerleading ends season on highest note

Panas placed second in the large-team division, with Dobbs Ferry coming in third.

Eastchester won the small-team division, with Putnam Valley and Lakeland coming in second and third respectively.

In the mixed division, John Jay-East Fishkill took first place, with Croton-Harmon coming in second and Pelham placing third.

Wednesday was the first day of the competition, which saw small and co-ed teams compete, in addition to a few large teams. The small teams consist of 16 or fewer cheerleaders, while the co-ed teams feature one male cheerleader. The large teams consist of 17 or more cheerleaders.

The teams are judged on their choreographed routines, which include jumps, tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids and basket tosses.

Along with Hen Hud, Eastchester and John Jay-East Fishkill will also compete for the Grand Champion title at the Westchester County Center. The junior varsity competition will begin at 4 p.m., and varsity teams will compete starting at 7 p.m.

“We need to hit a solid, clean routine, and have fun,” Hen Hud’s Selvaggi-Landry said. “They are a team who wants this. They live, eat and breathe Sailors cheerleading.”

Before the varsity teams competed, the junior varsity and modified competitions took place. John Jay-East Fishkill took first place in junior varsity with a score of 73.2, while Van Wyck won the modified division with a score of 84.8.

North Rockland’s Melissa Grall gives her coach, Lauren Gould, a hug after cheering during the second day of competition.

Bridget Genovesi of North Rockland cheers during the 2nd day of the 67th annual Westchester County Cheerleading invitational at Westchester Count Center in White Plain on Jan. 27, 2016.

Anna Logerfo of Maria Regina cheers during the 2nd day of the 67th annual Westchester County Cheerleading invitational at Westchester Count Center in White Plain on Jan. 27, 2016.

Bridget Genovesi of North Rockland cheers during the 2nd day of the 67th annual Westchester County Cheerleading invitational at Westchester Count Center in White Plain on Jan. 27, 2016.

Zoe Saunders of New Rochelle cheers during the 2nd day of the 67th annual Westchester County Cheerleading invitational at Westchester Count Center in White Plain on Jan. 27, 2016.

North Rockland’s Melissa Grall gives her coach, Lauren Gould a hug after cheering during the 2nd day of the 67th annual Westchester County Cheerleading invitational at Westchester Count Center in White Plain on Jan. 27, 2016.

Anna Logerfo of Maria Regina cheers during the 2nd day of the 67th annual Westchester County Cheerleading invitational at Westchester Count Center in White Plain on Jan. 27, 2016.

WHITE PLAINS – When Maria Regina’s cheerleading team took to the mat at the 67th annual Westchester County Cheerleading Invitational on Thursday, the crowd was as loud as it had been in previous years.

There was one notable difference from years past, however: the month.

The invitational is taking place in January this year, near the end of the cheerleading season, as opposed to November, when it is usually scheduled to take place.

Zoe Saunders of New Rochelle cheers during the second day of the Westchester County Cheerleading Invitational.

With the New York State Public High School Association holding a state championship for the first time since cheerleading became a sanctioned sport three years ago, the Westchester County invitational was moved to the winter season so it could count toward the number of meets needed to qualify for the state championship, which is for the winter season.

Related: For Hen Hud’s cheerleaders, long wait was worth it

Related: North Rockland cheerleading ends season on highest note

While the event, considered to be one of the biggest cheer competitions in the area, still had the large crowds viewing from the upper deck, there was a slightly different feeling among the teams during this current competition.

“We’ve had more time to prepare for it, being in January instead of November,” Maria Regina senior Kaitlin Rueda said. “I miss the normal County Center week, but I love the County Center no matter when it is.”

With several of the area’s teams competing in the Universal Cheerleaders Association’s national championships in Orlando, Florida, next weekend, Thursday was a great chance to get a feeling of performing in a high-stakes environment.

“That’s why we’re here: the more times I can get them out, the better our performances are,” New Rochelle head coach Chrissy Stanionis said. “The kids get more used to being in front of different crowds, and that’s huge. They got to be able to perform in front of nobody, and a packed arena.”

This competition isn’t a tune-up for every team.

North Rockland, which came in as the invitational’s two-time defending grand champion, has already competed in its major competition, the National Cheerleaders Association’s National Championship, in Dallas last weekend.

For the Red Raiders, this will be the last time the team will compete this season.

“I’ve been here since I was a freshman, and this competition is very exciting,” North Rockland senior Kaitln Garvey said. “It’s different from any other high school competition you go to between the crowd and the fans.”

Despite the tradition of the invitational being changed up a bit, the reason is a very positive one for the sport, with the state giving even more recongnition to cheerleading with its own state championship.

Its a change that seems to be more than welcome.

“It’s totally worth the trade-off; your teams are more prepared, they know what to expect and some healthy competition isn’t so bad,” said Hen Hud head coach Nicole Selvaggi-Landry, whose team claimed first place in the large-team division on Wednesday. “I went through the whole process as a cheerleader wanting it to become a sport, and now coaching and spending a lot of time fighting for it to be a sport, seeing it all unfold is awesome.”

Twitter:@Szkolar_Lohud

WHITE PLAINS – North Rockland’s cheerleading team, especially its nine seniors, came into Thursday knowing that the Westchester County Cheerleading Invitational would be the team’s last competition of the season.

After winning the large-team division despite a couple of mistakes in their routine, the Red Raiders executed a near-flawless performance in the finals to win their third consecutive Grand Championship.

North Rockland’s Melissa Grall gives her coach, Lauren Gould, a hug after cheering during the second day of competition.

“It’s my last year, it’s my last competition ever,” said North Rockland senior Maddy Oakley, who has been in the program for 12 years. “I made so many friends, it’s been such great experience that I’ll never forget.”

While the event is normally held in November, the competition was moved to January this year, due to the state adding a state championship during the athletic winter season for the sport.

That meant that instead of the competition being a launching point for North Rockland, it proved instead to be the final hurrah to the season, which included a second-place finish at the National Cheerleaders Association’s high school championships in Dallas last weekend.

“The first performance we had two minor issues that were unexpected,” North Rockland coach Lauren Gould said. “But the second performance was everything I could have asked from them. They are amazing.”

While North Rockland’s season is ending, several other schools have a couple more weeks left. One of those teams, Ursuline, won the small-team division to secure its first spot in the Grand Championship since 2011.

Like several other programs, the Koalas will head down to Orlando, Florida, to compete in the Universal Cheerleading Association’s high school championships on Feb. 6.

“The girls worked really hard for the past month just to turn the corner and get the routine to where it needed to be,” Ursuline head coach Adrianna Lacarbonara said. “It’s been a long journey from the start of the season.”

Ketcham and Mahopac came in second and third place in the day’s large-team division, with New Rochelle and Maria Regina taking second and third place in the small-team division.

Before the Grand Championship took place, the five winners of the Annette Hroncich scholarship were announced. They were Maria Regina’s Kaitlin Rueda, Ursuline’s Alexis Young, Ketcham’s Courtney Tefft, New Rochelle’s Kaiya Harrell and Yorktown’s Jenna Naccarella.

In the junior varsity competition that took place earlier in the afternoon, Ursuline took first place, with North Rockland and New Rochelle coming in second and third.

Twitter:@Szkolar_Lohud

Moises Tera from New Rochelle beat Javier Dubon from Walt Whitman in the 120-pound weight class during finals at the 52nd annual Murphy-Guccione Shoreline Classic at New Rochelle High School Jan. 9.

It was pitch black that night in Bogota, Colombia, but Moises Tera felt no fear.

A typical elementary school-aged child would have felt it, but Tera’s upbringing was anything but typical.

He and two friends sprinted from their orphanage and into the unknown without any inhibitions. All they knew was that they wanted to get far, far away.

“It was like 12 o’clock at night,” Tera recalled. “We just dug a hole in the ground and slept there for the night. The next morning, the police came and took us back to the same place.”

Over the years, this became, as Tera would describe it, “a routine.” He despised the orphanages, where he would spend the majority of his childhood from age 3 to 11, and endured many nights on the run. In his young mind, the dangerous streets of Colombia beat the alternative.

New Rochelle’s Moises Tera, right, takes down North Rockland’s Josh Fernandez in their match of the Division 1 quarterfinals of the Section 1 Dual Meet Championships at North Rockland on Dec. 8.

“I just lived on the street,” he said. “Sometimes we would just go and beg at the stores — ask them for food, or beg people on the street for money. I was pretty young, so I didn’t really care. It’s a third-world country, so everybody there was poor. I lived in the poorest place. … It was just normal over there.”

That could have been the norm for the rest of his life.

Sleeping outside, begging for food, and even stealing meat to cook on street lamps became some of his basic means of survival.

When he would inevitably get caught and returned to the orphanage, the punishment was usually severe. Sometimes he would have to carry heavy tree trunks for hours, or stand naked through the night as a way to degrade him in front of his peers.

The constant turmoil only deepened Tera’s emotional wounds but, some 2,500 miles away, there was a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.

Hope & fate

Hope Tera of New Rochelle usually taught Sunday school at the Unitarian Universalist Church in White Plains.

But on one particular Sunday, in the spring of 2006, she had no class and decided to attend services.

“It was fate,” she said, her smile beaming. “They had a guest speaker come in that spoke about a program called Kidsave. It’s a non-profit that brings older orphans from other countries to the U.S. for a summer to spend with an American family. Their goal is that you’ll get attached with the child over the summer and then pursue their adoption. I’m a single mom — I have a son, Ian — and Ian was about 8 years old at the time. I said to Ian, ‘Would you like to host a boy over the summer?’ He said, ‘Absolutely,’ so, really, my intent was just to host a boy for the summer.”

The boy was Moises.

Even though he spoke no English and Hope spoke very little Spanish, they had “an amazing summer” together, and Hope decided to pursue the adoption. But the process was arduous and took nearly two years.

Finally, on March 15, 2008 — a date they now celebrate as “Family Day” — Moises arrived back in the United States for good.

The Tera family: Moises (left), Hope and Ian.

“I was just really excited to come here,” Moises said. “I was amazed by everything that I saw — every little toy, everything that I saw in my brother’s room. I took three-hour showers, baths — it was just amazing.”

Moises picked up the language quicker than expected but, because he had very limited education in Colombia, he was placed in the third grade at age 11. And because he had never been in a true family setting, the first few years were rough.

The tale of Moises’ troubled past would help explain why it was such a difficult transition.

‘Bad memories’

Moises doesn’t remember much about his birth parents, but his final memory of them will forever be ingrained in his mind.

At the age of 2, they lost custody of him due to their issues with substance abuse, but he was returned to them a year later.

“It brings back bad memories,” he said, struggling with the recollection and pausing to gather his thoughts. “When I got back to them, my dad and my mom were fighting with this other guy, our neighbor. The neighbor hit my mom and gave her a black eye, and my dad went out and started fighting him on the street. He told me to break a bottle and told me to stab the guy. And that’s what happened. We stayed in a little jail cell for the night.”

The next day, Moises was taken away from his parents permanently. And, over the next eight years, he would move from one orphanage to another, with bouts of homelessness mixed in whenever he could escape.

New purpose

With a whole new world to explore in the United States, Moises was rarely willing to take no for an answer, and his relationship with his new mother became volatile.

“I would be lying if I said that we didn’t go through hell,” Hope said. “I had a (person-in-need-of-supervision) petition against him. We went right to the brink. We were in court, and the district attorney asked me if I wanted to terminate parental rights. And, for a split second, I actually thought about it. But, if you think about Mo’s background, I was very naïve. I thought, ‘I’m going to welcome this kid into our family and everything will be fine,’ and he really didn’t know (how to handle it). I tended to take everything very personally so, when he was stealing cash from me and using my credit cards, I was devastated.”

Therapy helped heal the divide, but a new passion in Moises’ life changed everything: wrestling.

His mom credits New Rochelle High School varsity coach Eddie Ortiz

“He started in seventh grade, and that helped, but it was really coach Ortiz,” she said. “God bless him. I love that guy to pieces. Mo really thrives with structure and discipline, and the physical aspect of it just worked wonders. Coach Ortiz made it very clear from the beginning that he and I were working as a team, and that I had his full support.”

Moises Tera wrestles Javier Dubon during finals at the 52nd annual Murphy-Guccione Shoreline Classic at New Rochelle High School.

Suddenly, Moises had a purpose — and plenty of talent to boot. As traumatic as those years of lifting tree trunks and running from Colombian police had been, it built the type of athlete that had immense ability on the mat.

“When he first came into the room, one of the first things that I noticed was his physical conditioning,” Ortiz said. “He was able to just go without getting tired. I said, ‘OK, this kid has got some potential.’”

In Ortiz, Moises found a father figure that he had been sorely missing.

“When I first came here, I didn’t know (the coaches) that well, and now I treat them as my dads — especially Coach Ortiz,” he said. “He’s always been there for me in the tough times when I’m fighting with my mom or arguing. I always come and ask him for help, or with anything in school. He always tells me the right things to do, so I just treat him like my dad.”

It took some time, but Ortiz, in concert with Hope and Ian, got Moises to start focusing more — on and off the mat. He stopped getting in trouble and started having success.

“I’m so proud of him because it’s kind of come full circle,” Ortiz said. “When you have that type of background and have been through adversity, you develop that grit.”

Moises is in the midst of his best season yet, ranked No. 2 at 120 pounds in the Lohud Weight Class Rankings. Earlier this month, he won a title at the ultra-competitive Murphy-Guccione Shoreline Classic, New Rochelle’s home tournament.

He’s also become an inspiration to his teammates.

“Moises has gone through a lot in his life, and it just proves that he has a strong character,” said senior Jake Shore, one of Moises’ best friends on the team. “What I respect the most about him is his ability to see everything that has happened in a positive way. He looks back at his situation, and where he is now, and, rather than stay fixated on the past, he makes himself better in the present.”

Bright future

Asked about his finest wrestling moment, Moises points to a loss when he was in eighth grade.

“I was against Ryan Duffy (from Westlake), and I wanted to win really badly,” he said. “I got to the finals and I was really happy, but I lost to him by one point. I started crying, but I came back and gave him a big hug and congratulated him. I saw my mom was crying because she felt so proud of that. That was the proudest moment of my whole wrestling career so far.”

He knows that such a display of sportsmanship wouldn’t have been in his nature not too long ago. And he isn’t the only person in his family who has been transformed for the better. 

“Every time that Mo would start to veer off course a little bit, wrestling would pull him back,” his mother said. “The kids on the team, the structure, the values that it instills — he’s just really flourished with it. It’s changed him as a person — and me.”

Even though Moises is technically a junior because he started school late, at age 18 this is his final year of eligibility for wrestling. He has realistic hopes of winning a Section 1 title this season, and then receiving his high school diploma next year — accomplishments he could never have fathomed eight years ago.

New Rochelle parents Latisha Burgos-Wallace, left, and Hope Tera, right, cheer the boys wrestling team during a match against Yonkers on Jan. 22, 2015.

Eventually, he said, he’d like to be an electrician or a firefighter. “Or maybe,” he added with a shy smile, “if I can get my grades up, some college for wrestling.”

No matter where he ends up, he knows it’ll be a long way from where he came.

“I feel great, like the world is my oyster,” he said. “I can do anything that I want now. If I stayed in Colombia, I could have been a drug dealer, or even worse things. Now, I’m just in heaven. I feel awesome.”

Twitter:   @vzmercogliano

Rye’s Mark Croughan (50) goes up for two over Harrison’s Andrew Carton (44) in game action at Harrison High School on Feb. 2, 2016. Rye defeated Harrison 47-46

Rye’s George Kirby (32) blocks Harrison’s Zach Evans (5) in game action at Harrison High School on Feb. 2, 2016. Rye defeated Harrison 47-46

Harrison’s Jeff Solmon (1) is overcome with emotion after their 46-47 loss to Rye at Harrison High School on Feb. 2, 2016.

HARRISON – At the start of Monday’s game at Harrison, it looked like Rye was feeling the pressure of playing away at a rival in a big league match-up.

After a slow start, which saw key players Charlie Nagle and George Kirby struggle with foul trouble, the Garnets’ depth, led by the likes of Brett Egan, Mark Croughan and Michael Carty, stepped up to provide support in a 47-46 comeback win.

“For the first half, we were playing not to lose and we were afraid; we talked about playing to win instead of not to lose, and they embraced it,” Rye head coach John Aguilar said. “Coach (Gary) Chiarella and his staff at Harrison, I have nothing but respect for them. Their gameplan was terrific, they deserved to win that game as much as we did.”

Harrison jumped out to a 12-5 by the end of the first quarter, with Michael Nannariello scoring the final seven points of the half. The Huskies built the lead to as much as 13 in the second quarter, but Rye ended the quarter on a 7-1 run to take a 24-17 deficit into the half.

Early in the third quarter, Nagle picked up his third foul, with Kirby picking up fouls at the 4:15 and 2:39 marks of the quarter to bring his foul count up to four.

With both in difficult situations, and Nagle being shutout from the lockdown defense of Harrison’s Zach Evans, Rye leaned on its other starters for the comeback.

Down 29-21, the Garnets got consecutive scores from Carty, Croughan and Egan. After Nannariello split a pair of free-throws, Croughan converted on a spin move in the post and Egan hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 30.

“We knew at the beginning of the year, it was going to be a team effort, we had to get everybody involved,” Kirby said. “If one person isn’t hitting, you got to hit. Mark’s inside, he’s doing a great job this year; Brett, Carty, they are hitting shots when we need them to.”

On the final possession, Harrison had the ball, down one point. Nanariello took a feed from Jack Hochman and shot a three-pointer from the right elbow, but the ball rimmed out, and Harrison was unable to convert on the offensive rebound.

“It shouldn’t have came down to that; we had the scoreboard on our side,” Harrison head coach Gary Chiarella said. “They ramped up their zone defense, and we stopped attacking it.”

With the win, Rye improved its league record to 5-2, only a half-game behind 6-2 Byram Hills, which earned a 67-63 overtime win over Pelham.

The Garnets will close out its league, as well as its regular-season schedule, by next week with games against Port Chester, Pelham and Byram Hills.

“I’m glad that our team has that skill, where we can fall back not just on the shooters,” Rye’s Croughan said. “We have a full squad, and everyone can contribute.”

Player of the game: Mark Croughan, Rye. With Nagle struggling and Kirby in foul trouble for most of the game, the 6-foot-5 senior captain stepped up. He put up a team-high 12 points to go with 10 rebounds, including six points in the third quarter to help spark the Garnets’ comeback. He also hit an inside look late for what turned out to be the game-winning basket.

Turning point: Harrison’s Evans locked down Nagle, who had 21 points in the team’s last game against John Jay-East Fishkill on Saturday, but with 3:50 left in the game the junior guard managed to find some space on the perimeter and knocked down a three-pointer to give Rye a 45-43 advantage, its first lead of the game.

Stat line: For Rye, Kirby and Carty both finished with 11 points. … Egan scored eight points, all in the third quarter. … Nagle’s go-ahead three-pointer was the only score he had in the game. … As a team, Rye went 0-for-6 from the free-throw line. … Nannariello finished with a game-high 19 points, including four three-pointers. … Evans chipped in with 13 points, 10 of them coming in the second half.

Quotable: “For the first time in a while, Rye has a chance to take the title; this was a humongous step in getting there,” Kirby said. “Harrison is our rival, we always love winning this game; we’ll see what happens in the next three games.”