Boys basketball: Players appreciate 'meaningful' experience of Exceptional Senior Game
BEACON ― There were the understandable laments, players regretting that their last high school basketball game was an exhibition, that their teams weren't among the few still competing as the state championships approach.
Nevertheless, Jacob Jerome said, this was one of his more meaningful and memorable experiences on the court.
“Because I got to play with my teammates one last time,” the Arlington guard said Thursday. “My high school career has been a fun ride, and I get to say that we wrapped it up with a win.”
Granted, it helped that five other Arlington players were selected for the Exceptional Senior Game and that hexad was grouped together on the Black Team. But others expressed similar sentiments.
“It’s nice to go out like this,” said Reid Berean, representing Highland. “For a lot of us, this might’ve been our last game of organized basketball, so we appreciate getting this opportunity.”
And that’s the purpose of the annual showcase, an all-star game put on by the Dutchess County Basketball Coaches Association that serves somewhat as a farewell for several local basketball standouts.
Alleviated of the pressure of the playoffs, or the results of this game factoring at all into standings, the 16 participants were able to relax and enjoy what essentially was a skill-filled pickup game.
“We spend so much time working on our game and thinking about championships,” said Kaiden Birdsong, a Poughkeepsie guard who scored a game-high 25 points, “it’s cool to play in something like this and just have fun hooping.”
Birdsong excited the Beacon High School audience with his five 3-pointers for the Gray Team, but it was the Black squad that erased a five-point halftime deficit and pulled out a 63-54 win.
Millbrook’s Owen Iannucci and Gavin Flynn of Arlington each scored 14 points to lead the Black Team, which got a balanced offensive output and combined for 12 threes.
Arlington’s Jensey Adames added 11 points, and he and schoolmate Jerome Richards each hit two threes, helping spark their 43-point second half.
“We only had about 20 minutes to talk and get to know each other before we got started,” Berean said, chuckling at the chemistry crash course with new teammates. “But everyone here is a good player, and good players find a way to make plays.”
The Black Team included Arlington's Jensey Adames, Jerome Richards, Shea Basso, Jayden Tuttle, Flynn and Jerome along with Berean and Iannucci.
The Gray Team’s roster had Birdsong and Savion Nesbitt of Poughkeepsie, Marlboro's Chris DeNatale and Matthew Ciarimboli, Daniel McMasters (Ketcham), Vinny Angioletti (John Jay), Caden Green (Dover) and Brodie Rathjen (Pine Plains).
Lourdes' Zach Hart, Tommy Simpson and Drew Kozak were selected for the game, but with the Warriors advancing to the Class AA regional final, the trio didn't participate. New Paltz's Jack Maiale, Kenrick Williams (Ketcham) and Parker Ruger of Rhinebeck also were chosen but didn't play.
Recognized during the event were several award recipients, athletes and coaches who reached milestones, and others involved in the support and promotion of area basketball.
Millbrook coach Brian Laffin was voted into the Basketball Coaches Association of New York Hall of Fame. He'll be inducted during an April 13 ceremony.
"It was unexpected and it's humbling, and you wonder if you're deserving," Laffin said of his initial reaction to the news. He was nominated by Hall of Famer and former White Plains coach Spencer Mayfield. "It's a tremendous honor and I'm very appreciative."
The 53-year-old has coached for 30 years, beginning with his tenure as head coach of the Dutchess Community College men's basketball team. At the high school level, Laffin has led Poughkeepsie and Millbrook to section titles.
Mike Milliman, coaching at Rhinebeck this season, eclipsed 200 career victories. Berean, Hart and New Paltz's Cayden Dones each surpassed 1,000 career points this winter.
Duane Davis Coaches Award: Brodie Rathjen (Pine Plains)
Clark Townsend Memorial Award: Jack Maiale (New Paltz)
Will Landry Scholar-Athlete Award: Jason Gisby Hanks (Highland)
Mort J. Laffin Memorial Award: Gavin Flynn (Arlington)
Jules Eurillo Spirit & Sportsmanship Award: Marlboro
Ernie Verdis Service Award: Isaac Cayetano (@KOT845)
Bob Stauderman Player of the Year Award: Cayden Dones (New Paltz) and Zach Hart (Lourdes)
All-County Team: Somto Awaka (Roosevelt), Reid Berean (Highland), Kaiden Birdsong (Poughkeepsie), Chris DeNatale (Marlboro), Gavin Flynn (Arlington), Michael Koehler (Highland), Owen Iannucci (Millbrook), Jacob Jerome (Arlington), Jack Maiale (New Paltz), Nick Mondesando (Ketcham), Victor Nelson (Poughkeepsie), Russel Patterson (New Paltz), Brodie Rathjen (Pine Plains), Parker Ruger (Rhinebeck), Tommy Simpson (Lourdes), Michai Thompson (Beacon) and John Vukelj (John Jay-East Fishkill)
All-Academic Team: Connor Meltzer (Highland), Alex LaCasse (Millbrook), Jacob Jerome (Arlington), Shea Basso (Arlington), Ryan McCaster (Ketcham), Dan Kelly (Lourdes) and Drew Kozak (Lourdes)
Coach of the Year: Dan Diklich (New Paltz)
Referee of the Year: Andrew Williams
IAABO Board 114 Sportsmanship Award: Arlington (Section 1) and Marlboro (Section 9)
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Boys basketball: Players, coaches honored at Exceptional Senior Game
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