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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Coming into the season, the Eastchester boys basketball team was focused on one thing – playing in the Section 1 Class A Championships at the Westchester County Center.
Senior and starting guard Kevin Teahan said the team felt confident that it could accomplish its goal.
“We lost a couple of starters to graduation, but we had some starters coming back,” Teahan said. “We also had players returning who had contributed off the bench back. And we had Mike Milo return from Fordham Prep.”
All of these factors contributed to Eastchester's posting a 17-1 record during the regular season, earning a second seed and reaching the County Center for the first time since 1974.
But third-seeded Poughkeepsie ended Eastchester’s season Wednesday with a 61-48 victory in a championships semifinal.
The Eagles concluded their break-out season with a 19-2 record and walked out of the County Center hoping to return.
“It has been a great ride,” said Eastchester coach Fred DiCarlo. “I am so proud of the way the boys play tonight. They played hard from the first minute to the last minute.
“Poughkeepsie is a great team. They’re experienced, having been here last year.”
Poughkeepsie led 33-21 at the half, but Eastchester closed to five, at 44-39, behind Jack Daly. The junior guard scored 14 of his team-leading 16 points in the third quarter. Poughkeepsie weathered the Eastchester surge though, closing with the last six points of the quarter.
Teahan and his senior classmates will graduate in June knowing they contributed to a special Eastchester basketball season.
“Eastchester hasn’t been to the County Center in 39 years, so this was a pretty spectacular season,” said Teahan, who had eight points, “We wanted to have two games and we had them, and we got to the County Center.
“I think the future for Eastchester basketball is as bright as its ever been. Our four best players, you can argue, are underclassmen. This experience will make the team want to get back here next year.”
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