UPDATE: In a thrilling display of high school basketball, Chris Albano and Nick Rebracca emerged as standout stars in crucial victories for their teams on December 16, 2023. Albano led Susan Wagner to a dramatic 63-55 comeback win over New Dorp, while Rebracca tied his career high with 28 points as Sea defeated Salesian.
Albano’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, scoring nine of his game-high 24 points in the final quarter. His clutch shooting, including a pivotal three-point play, helped the Falcons pull ahead after trailing earlier in the game. Along with teammates Darin Humes-James and Adem Djonbalic, who contributed 13 and 11 points respectively, Wagner improved its record to 10-2 overall.
In a post-game statement, head coach Danny Lanigan emphasized the importance of overcoming emotional fatigue from earlier matches:
“Thankfully, it didn’t cost us this time. We did enough at the end to win it.”
Meanwhile, in Huguenot, Sea’s Rebracca lit up the scoreboard with a season-high six three-pointers in their CHSAA A victory against Salesian, driving the Vikings to a strong 73-52 win. The junior swingman has been on fire lately, scoring at least 26 points in three of his last four games. His explosive start helped Sea build a commanding lead, with the Vikings never looking back.
The Eagles struggled early, trailing 19-4 after the first quarter, as Rebracca, alongside Nick Lee and Luca Mineo, set the pace for a dominant performance. Lee and Mineo each added 10 points, while Salesian’s Kevaughn Mitchell led his team with 15 points.
In Pittsburgh, St. Peter’s faced a tough battle against Taylor Allderdice, ultimately falling to a 52-45 defeat despite a strong fourth-quarter effort from senior Nico Parlanti, who scored 12 points in the final stretch. The Eagles now sit at 2-4 overall after this non-league loss.
Additionally, the WHEELS team secured a 61-43 victory over Eagle Academy SI, showcasing a solid defensive performance that allowed them to pull away in the second half. Miguel Martinez and Maurice Cox led WHEELS with 15 and 11 points, respectively.
In junior varsity action, Susan Wagner defeated New Dorp 61-27, with Dylan Ameneiros leading the charge with 14 points as the Falcons built an early lead they would not relinquish.
As the high school basketball season heats up, these games serve as a reminder of the intense competition and thrilling moments that define this time of year. Fans can expect continued excitement as teams push towards the playoffs. Stay tuned for more updates on these rising stars and their journeys throughout the season.
