In an exciting series of high school basketball games held in Wildwood, New Jersey, several Staten Island teams showcased their talents. St. Joseph by-the-Sea, Moore, and MSIT secured victories, while Monsignor Farrell faced a tough defeat in Florida.
St. Joseph by-the-Sea Triumphs in Close Encounter
St. Joseph by-the-Sea edged past St. Michael Catholic with a narrow score of 47-45. Nick Rebracca led the charge for the Vikings, scoring a game-high 27 points and maintaining a flawless performance from the free-throw line, hitting all seven of his attempts. His scoring was well-distributed throughout the game, with contributions of seven points in the first quarter, five in the second, six in the third, and six in the final period.
Head coach Mike Cortese commended Rebracca’s versatility, stating, “Nick showed his ability to score in a variety of ways today in a much-needed win for us.” The Vikings built an early lead with an eight-point advantage after the first quarter and held a 27-20 lead at halftime. Although St. Michael Catholic rallied in the third quarter, outscoring St. Joseph by-the-Sea 15-8, the Vikings held on for their second victory of the season (7-4 overall).
Moore and MSIT Also Achieve Victories
Moore secured a solid 60-55 win against Abington Friends from Pennsylvania. The team’s success was driven by its three senior guards: Eenej Vinson and Matt Gibbons, both contributing 14 points, along with Nick DeGrado who added 10 points. Big man Alexander Raphael supported the effort with nine points, helping the Mavs improve their record to 2-6. They are scheduled to face Pennsbury High School next on Tuesday at 1 p.m.
In New Dorp, the MSIT Seagulls triumphed over CSIM with a final score of 74-68. Ray Guerriero led the team with a season-high 20 points, including nine crucial points in the fourth quarter. Dalton Cherubin added 19 points, and Nizayah Jordan contributed 11 points. After taking an early lead, MSIT faced a challenge as CSIM surged ahead at halftime. However, a strong second-half performance allowed the Seagulls to regain control and secure the victory, improving their record to 7-5.
Coach Charlie Donohue praised his team’s resilience, saying, “Tough win against a tough team, who always comes to play.”
Struggles for Monsignor Farrell in Florida
Meanwhile, Monsignor Farrell faced a setback in Daytona, Florida, losing to Lake Howell by a score of 49-35. JJ Yates led the Lions with 16 points, but the team’s inability to score in the third quarter proved detrimental. Leading at halftime, Farrell managed only two points during a pivotal stretch, allowing Lake Howell to surge ahead with a dominant 17-2 run.
Isaac Buckley from Lake Howell was the standout player, scoring a game-high 23 points. Following this loss, Monsignor Farrell will look to bounce back in their next game against Winter Haven on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.
SIA Remains Undefeated
The Staten Island Academy Tigers continued their impressive run, improving to 10-0 with a 75-67 victory over Petrides in the MSIT Christmas Showcase. Danny Nowak led the scoring with 19 points, while Gabe Moschella and Luke DeVito contributed 18 and 15 points, respectively. The Tigers established a commanding lead by halftime, thanks in part to Moschella’s strong first-half performance.
Despite a late-game push from Petrides, who saw Daynell Rowland score 31 points, the Tigers maintained their composure to secure the win. Head coach Mike Mazella expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, noting, “We are all thrilled to be undefeated at this point,” while acknowledging there is still room for improvement.
As the high school basketball season progresses, these Staten Island teams continue to make a mark, showcasing their skills and determination on the court.