On Sunday morning, the 4th-grade boys had a 10:00am game at Pleasantville, the earliest tip-off of the season. Team manager Joe Naya was worried that the players, known for late-night partying, would not be fresh at game time. Sure enough, the Edgemont boys sleep-walked through the first quarter and found themselves down an ugly 14-1.
Pack it up, pack it in? Play for pride? Not bloody likely under a Scagnelli-coached team! Edgemont turned up the defensive heat and began to rattle Pleasantville. Avery Yee sank the team’s first basket and drained a free throw to complete the three-point play. Now fully awake, four different players hit key baskets, allowing Edgemont to claw back to only a 6-point deficit at the half.
The onslaught continued in the third quarter. Just two minutes in, Edgemont vaulted into the lead at 22-21, after which it was anybody’s game.
The fourth quarter was filled with drama. Edgemont hit key buckets and pushed the lead to 7 with 4 minutes left in the game, only to see Pleasantville fight back, again. With 13 seconds left, Pleasantville hit an 18-foot jump shot to draw to within 2 points at 32-30, and immediately set up their press.
Ball handling, decision-making, and free throws are the keys to victory down the stretch. Edgemont broke the press, leaving Pleasantville with no choice but to foul. With 5.1 seconds left, Max Ho stepped to the free throw line. Cooler than the other side of the pillow, he hit the front end of a 1-and-1 to seal the victory.
As Pleasantville’s final shot fell harmlessly to the floor, Edgemont celebrated a hard-fought 33-30 victory. It was a great team effort in an epic comeback. This team has heart!
