County Center Game

The Westchester County Center hosted the annual Challenger’s Game between the South East Consortium Hawk’s and the North East Knights yesterday afternoon. Next to Madison Square Garden the venue does not get much better;  now home to the Westchester Knicks farm team, the Westchester County Center game allows players on a regulation size court, scoreboard and announcers belting out player names and jersey numbers.

 In years past the Hawks had a difficult time finding a team to play let alone a team that would challenge them. This was not the case yesterday. The Knights came out hot, scoring 15 points in the first quarter led by number 23 of the Knights.

In the second quarter the Hawks crept back up on the Knights coming within 8 points of the lead. At the half: Kinghts 23, Hawks 15. Hawks looked tired but not ready to give up at the half. With DJ Jason Frank spinning some hot tunes the Hawks seemed to become re-energized!

Led by Alex Pflaum up top and James Beveridge and Andrew Brooks under the net the Hawks were able to put up 12 more points before the final buzzer. Unfortunately it was not enough to stop the Knights from taking the day.

Of course winning isn’t everything. The Hawks have shown much improvement in their ball handling skills, defensive positioning, setting picks and passing the ball. This is due in large part to the addition of two new coaching staff members, Johnathan Powers and Teddy D’Alessio.

“This is team has come so far this season, its amazing. We are just going to keep building on where we are right now” said coach Jonathan Powers.

“I think the pick and roll is one of greatest assets in our offensive arsenal. We have height under the net and quick ball movement up top, that’s chemistry right there,” said coach Teddy D’Alessio at half time in reference to Andrew Brooks and James Beveridge.

The participating players in yesterday’s Challenger game included Gabriel Mineard, Chris Bisconti, Johnny Reichelt, Maggie Stone, William Byrnes, Christopher Horan , Matthew McCarthy, Andrew Brooks, James Beveridge, Alex Pflaum and John MaCaulay.

One aspect of the Hawks that certainly can’t be taught or drilled is the team spirit and good sportsmanship they exhibit in every game they play. That’s always just natural for them.