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Somers finished the season 13-5, its most wins since 1992. The Tuskers ended the season on an extreme high note as star player John Decker scored 59 points in an 85-68 win against North Salem.
The Tuskers enjoyed a nine-game winning streak this season, highlighted by a defining win against Iona Prep in the Slam Dunk Tournament in December. A school that primarily had been known for football suddenly had a basketball team to which the rest of Class A started paying attention.
With that success comes added pressure as the Tuskers look to reach the Westchester County Center and make a run at the gold ball.
“We’re just clicking on all ends right now,” Decker said earlier in the week, “but I think we’re going to surprise people deep in the playoffs.”
If that happens, Decker will be much of the reason. As he goes, so go the Tuskers. When he has scored in abundance this season, Somers typically has won. When he struggles, the Tuskers usually come up short.
Mahopac, for example, held Decker to just eight points in a 55-36 win against Somers in early February.
It’s no secret Decker and Somers can score, but Gorton (12-5) has plenty of firepower of its own. Dane Williamson scored 19 points in a win against Lincoln and 25 points in a victory versus Saunders. Rashan McKay has been an excellent scoring threat for the Wolves as well.
Friday’s match-up should come down to which team can shut down the other’s main scorer. If both teams’ shots are falling, then it will become a matter of can outgun its opponent in a high-scoring affair.
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