Harvey’s boys varsity basketball team lost 67-56 to Briarcliff High School Friday in the tipoff of the Tappan Zee Holiday Tournament in Orangeburg.
Briarcliff’s Bears took an early lead in the first quarter, getting easy baskets inside while Harvey could not get any shots to drop. The Cavaliers were getting good looks early on, but their shots were just not falling. Briarcliff also out-rebounded Harvey 8-0 in the first quarter which helped the Bears build their early lead.
Harvey cut the lead to four early in the second quarter on the strength of some beautiful drives to the hoop by senior Ricky Hicks who finished the game with a team high 15 points. Briarcliff took a nine-point lead into halftime, led by Sean Crowley who finished with 17 points. Harvey had a tough time defending him in the post as he muscled his way in for some easy buckets.
The Bears came out of the break strong and took a commanding 19-point lead on Harvey late into the third quarter, but the Cavaliers did not go down quietly.
Although the loss brings Harvey to 4-3 overall, Coach Narcisco said he was pleased with his team’s showing. “I was very proud of how the team performed against a good class B public school in Briarcliff. Although we want to win, the ultimate goal is to win our own league, and these tournaments put us in a better place to reach that goal.” For Coach Narcisco, having his team play in the Tappan Zee tournament is a homecoming for him. He played for the Dutchmen in 1994-98.
Tappan Zee defeated Clarkstown North 66-43 in the second game. Harvey will face off against Clarkstown North in the consolation game Saturday at 5 p.m. Tappan Zee and Briarcliff will do battle in the championship game that follows.