Despite Record, ’Pac Had Its Moments

Mahopac’s Ryan Wagner SKIP Although the Mahopac High boys basketball team did not have a great record, coach Kevin Downes believes that his squad was better than what the numbers say.

BASKETBALL

The Indians finished the season with an overall record of 6-13, including going 2-9 in League 1-B. The team made it to the first round of the Section 1 playoffs, where they lost to Poughkeepsie after defeating a tough Mamaroneck team in a play-in game.

“I am probably as disappointed as the kids are of the record. However, I do not think that it is an indication what kind of team we had, Downes said, adding that his team had chances to win most of the games it lost.

“We just did not make enough plays to get the win,” he added.

Ryan Wagner, a junior guard, was the only Mahopac player to receive post season honors, having been named to the All-League team. He averaged 16 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game and three assists per game this season for the Indians.

What makes the honor even more impressive is the fact that Wagner missed some games this season due to an ankle injury. Because of that, he played many of the other teams in the league only once. However, the opposing coaches saw enough of him to realize how good he was and voted in favor of him being named All League.

“I think it was well deserved. He had some big games in league play that coaches took notice of ,” Downes said.

He believes that there are some other players on his team who could have received post season honors.

One of those who also made big contributions to the team this year was senior forward Chase Thompson.

“He played just very solid basketball for us. I thought he played very well,” said Downes.

The coach also credited junior guard Kevin Mallon with having a good season, adding that he played well on offense and also did the job on the defensive end of the floor.

“Defensively, he was fantastic,” Downes said.

He also noted that junior forward Robby Catalino contributed a lot late in the season and could be an important player for the Indians next year.

“Once he gets confidence to match his talents he will do well,” Downes commented.

Junior forward T.J. Foley also was a key contributor for the Indians.

Since the team is young, most of the players will be returning next season. Only four members of the team will be graduating at the end of the school year. They are Thompson, centers Eric LoPata and Alex Ankier and guard Kenny Parker. Thompson, LoPata and Parker were starters.

Downes credited the four seniors with providing a lot of leadership during a tough season and helping the younger players to learn while playing on the varsity level.

“They helped a young group try to find their way,” he said, adding that the seniors also did not let the team give up when the going got tough.

“Our seniors did not allow that to happen,” Downes noted.

Despite losing some key players, expectations are high for the Indians next season. Downes believes that the players coming back not only have talent, but also now have a good amount of experience at the varsity level thanks to the fact that he was able to rotate most of them into games.

“We played 10 or 11 kids every game. A lot of those kids got a lot of experience. That is really going to help,” Downes said.

However, none of that will matter if the players do not work in the off season to improve their games. Downes does not think that will be a problem though. It is likely that many of the players will play AAU basketball in the summer. The team will also have offseason workout programs.

“If they do what they are expected to do in the offseason, we are going to have a pretty good season,” Downes said.