UPDATE: In a thrilling night of high school basketball, Eagle Academy Staten Island triumphed over Petrides with a decisive 66-49 victory, powered by senior Armani Perez, who scored 19 points in the PSAL 3A matchup on December 18, 2023. The Eagles’ explosive start, featuring a staggering 24-point first quarter, set the tone for the game, leaving fans in Sunnyside buzzing with excitement.
Eagle Academy, now 4-8 overall and 3-5 in league play, showcased impressive teamwork with Juneek Daniels contributing a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. The Panthers, despite a valiant effort from Kareem Nesbit and Aiden Gonzalez, who scored 21 and 18 points respectively, fell to 2-7 overall and 1-6 in league.
The game ignited as Daniels scored 10 points in the first quarter, while Perez added eight, propelling Eagle to a commanding 24-13 lead by the end of the first. “It was an unorthodox move, but it’s been working,” said head coach Justin Spisto, reflecting on his tactical switch of Anthony Riley to point guard. Riley’s performance, including four assists, has markedly improved the Eagles’ gameplay.
In another standout performance, New Dorp defeated CSIM 51-30, with Sergio Batista leading the Centrals with 17 points. The Centrals surged ahead early, establishing a double-digit lead that they maintained throughout the game. New Dorp’s record now stands at 7-4 overall and 6-1 in league play.
Meanwhile, in a challenging matchup, St. Peter’s struggled against St. Francis Prep, suffering a 67-38 defeat. The Eagles fell behind early, unable to recover from a tough first half. Oesoemana Sacko dominated for Prep, scoring 26 points and securing the win, pushing St. Peter’s record to 2-5 overall and 0-2 in league.
Finally, Fordham Prep edged out Sea with a final score of 50-38, snapping Sea’s three-game winning streak. Despite Nick Rebracca tying for the game high with 17 points, Sea couldn’t overcome a halftime deficit. Fordham’s Brian Kapfer and Liam Farrell led the Rams, each contributing crucial points down the stretch.
As the high school basketball season heats up, fans can look forward to more intense matchups. Eagle Academy will visit FDR in Brooklyn for their final game before the holiday break on December 19. Stay tuned for updates as local teams vie for dominance on the court!
