The players were excited, of course, understanding the significance of this victory. It’s not often that Arlington beats one of the Section 1 boys basketball blue bloods, let alone a defending champion, in such a fashion.
So, the celebration already was underway, then word got to the team.
“I knew it’d been a long time, and certainly not since I’ve been here,” coach Jamie Feicht said. “Then (former coach) Matt Hoyt and (athletic director) Mike Cring told us it was the first time ever. We were happy as can be.”
Because the Admirals pulled off a second-half comeback, on the strength of a stifling defense, to earn a head-turning and historic 49-45 victory over powerhouse Mount Vernon on Saturday.
Gavin Flynn scored a team-high 13 points and Arlington held the Knights to 19 points in the second half, including five in the third quarter, while erasing a 10-point halftime deficit.
“To beat a team like Mount Vernon, who is the standard in the section, it lets our guys know that we’re also a good team,” Feicht said. “We have to continue committing ourselves to playing good defense and getting into a flow on offense, but this definitely boosts our confidence.”
The teams had last met in 2022, and the Knights rolled to a 42-point win. While the Admirals scrapped and clawed to make the playoffs last season before falling in the quarterfinals, Mount Vernon breezed through the sectional bracket to capture the Class AAA championship.
Understandably, a win like this against an opponent like that is especially meaningful to a program seeking to make inroads among the better teams in the area. This game, albeit in a tournament during the first week of the season, could be a springboard for them.
It certainly sends a message, Feicht said, that “the secret is out that Arlington is a solid team.”
One that can confound some opponents with its defense. The Admirals utilized a 2-2-1 zone with a press in the second half, which effectively neutralized the Knights front court offense. They essentially dared the guards to shoot them out of the zone, but only Tavien Tyler scored in the third quarter and Mount Vernon didn’t manage a two-point field goal in the entire second half.
Arlington also forced 18 turnovers and grabbed six offensive rebounds — both crucial in a low-scoring game with a close margin.
“We normally play man (defense), but the whole group did a great job of adjusting,” the coach said. “Shea Basso, Jacob Jerome, Cyrus Cowings and Anthony Harper did a good job, and Jensey Adames played a strong defensive game.”
The Admirals trailed 26-16 at halftime, but Flynn scored eight points in the third to help close the gap, and Jerome had eight of his 10 in the fourth quarter to push them ahead. Cowings also scored 10 points and Jayden Tuttle added seven.
Tyler scored 26, including eight 3-pointers, for Mount Vernon.
“We don’t have a player who’s going to go off for 30 (points), but we have a few guys who’ll score in double figures and can get 20 if they’re hot,” Feicht said. “They’re unselfish and have good basketball IQ. They pass it well, and they look for the open man.”
Arlington rebounded from a three-point loss to Scarsdale on Friday, shaking that off on a short turnaround.
What’s especially encouraging for the Admirals is the team returned several of its key players from last season, given them a senior-laden core that is eager to make major strides. They also had some good fortune “fall in our laps,” getting two transfers whose size will bolster the front court, Feicht said.
Anthony Harper is a 6-foot-5 forward whose family moved from the Bronx last summer. They also anticipate a return from injury for Griffin Hartzell, a 6-foot-3 athlete who moved back to the United States from the Netherlands.
A challenge now, of course, is the group not allowing itself to get carried away by a performance in December. As thrilling as it was, this game could mean little in their big picture if the Admirals aren’t able to build on it. That’s why, Feicht said, their attention quickly turned to the upcoming games, beginning with Suffern on Wednesday.
“I’m gonna keep them grounded and not thinking long-term,” the coach said. “But we have a mature team that puts things into perspective. I know these guys are focused and motivated.”
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
