Shenendehowa has taken great pride in its defense this season.
The effort the Plainsmen put out on the defensive end this season, and the way they play their 3-2 zone, was a major factor in their 25-0 run to a state title.
That defense, which has surrendered 60 or more points only three times, will get its biggest challenge tonight at SEFCU Arena when Shenendehowa plays PSAL champion Wings Academy in a semifinal game in the Class AA New York State Federation Tournament of Champions. Starting time is set for 7 p.m.
Wings Academy, located in The Bronx, has 6-foot-10 Georgetown-bound Jessie Govan, who put up 17 points and 17 rebounds in the PSAL final against defending champ Cardozo. Wings Academy has another future DI player in point guard Desure Buie, who has committed to Hofstra.
Shenendehowa coach Tony Dzikas made the most of his big people in last weekend’s state final four.
In addition to regular starter 6-6 Brandon Fischer, Dzikas put 6-3 Matt Alverson into the starting five. Erik Kromer (6-3) got significant minutes, as well. Kromer fouled out, and Fischer picked up four fouls in Sunday’s final as Shen fought to control Brentwood’s 6-6 Jamel Allen.
“That’s our M.O., if you look at our last three games” Dzikas said. “I didn’t care about the foul trouble with our bigs.”
Dzikas wasn’t concerned that both Brentwood and semifinal foe Mount Vernon took a combined 48 three-pointers, especially when it allowed his team to put up a 74-50 edge in rebounds.
“When they’re shooting threes, it eliminates some pressure with fouls,” Dzikas said. “It keeps you in better position for rebounding.
“If you try to stop everything, you’ll stop nothing. We want to stop the inside penetrating and the offensive rebounding.
“Nowhere does it say the key is to not let them take three-pointers. You can only do so much.”
Dzikas also doesn’t think his team will be in awe of Goven’s size and talent. The Plainsmen are veterans of the spring and summer tournament circuit.
“This isn’t something that starts in November. These kids all work in the offseason,” he said. “We have coaches like Tom Huerter that take them to AAU tournaments all over the place, playing against some quick athletes, some talented players, some lanky players.
“You saw one [Brentwood] kid almost jump out of the gym, grab the rim, pull himself up and slap the glass. We’re used to players like that. Our kids have seen that. The guys aren’t in awe over it, because they’ve played against that type of athlete. They’ve seen it before.”
Offensively, Kevin Huerter is coming off his MVP effort in the state final four. The junior guard scored 25 points in both games. He was 5-for-11 on threes in the semis, but made only one of seven against Brentwood.
He was, however, nearly perfect at the line, missing only once in 17 attempts, and had 18 rebounds in the two games.
Fischer had 18 points (10-for-13 from the free-throw line) and nine rebounds against Mount Vernon. Senior Thomas Huerter was the other big contributor in the final, hitting four of five threes and going 7-for-13 in putting up 22 points.
As for the additional weekend of basketball, Dzikas was diplomatic.
“The Federation is awesome, it’s always a great thing, and we’re proud to be in it.” he said.
“To be honest, the state championship is the one we wanted. Now, we’re into uncharted waters. This is the icing.”
Categories: High School Sports
