Tigers Hang on to Trip up Haldane

Putnam Valley’s Brendan Schmelmer, the game MVP, makes one of several trips to the rack Saturday, as the Tigers topped Haldane. SKIP PEARLMAN The Putnam

Valley high boys basketball team got a 53-46 win over Haldane on Saturday. The game was a part of the Putnam Challenge, hosted by Brewster.

“It was a tough physical game,” said head coach Ralph Smith. “It was a good game... The defense was good and we took care of the ball.”

The game was close most of the way, at halftime the score was 21-18 in favor of Putnam Valley, and going into the fourth quarter the Tigers were up 36-34.

Smith was specifically proud of the way they handled one of Haldane’s best players in Jackson Zuvic.

“I knew he was their go to guy and we had to stop him,” said Smith. I wouldn’t say we stopped him but we at least made it hard on him.” Zuvic scored 18 points in the loss.

PV’s Anthony Tyndal squeezes between two defenders to get off shot. Brandon Schmelmer led Put Valley with 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots, and was named game MVP.

“Schmelmer had a great game,” said Smith. “He fouled out late, but he played great defense on Zuvic all game.”

Steve Mazzarisi had 12 points and Anthony Tyndal added eight points, nine assists and four steals. “Tyndal also played well,” said Smith. “He took care of the ball in the second half and played good defense.”

The Tigers were missing guard Jon Warden, who was on vacation, but Jon Helm, a 6’4” center, made his season debut. He was out with an ankle sprain, so coach Smith limited him to eight minutes. Helm had four points and two rebounds.

Michael Rufo secures a rebound for the Tigers. SKIP PEARLMAN “We have to work him in slowly,” said Smith. “But we need him back because we’ve been a smaller team without him and we have some big games coming up.”

PV travels to Ossining for a 4:30 p.m. game Friday.
The Tigers’ Jon Helm cruises to the glass for two Saturday at Brewster High School.
Zach Maucieri of Put Valley fires a fadeaway J in PV win over Haldane.