Girls basketball: Felix leads Poughkeepsie to its first playoff win since 2012
Like a doctor checking a patient's vitals, Joe Laster has closely monitored the progress of the Poughkeepsie girls basketball team, noting even the most subtle changes.
Even after a loss three weeks ago, the coach insisted there were "positive signs" throughout the season. Most encouraging, beyond the Pioneers winning a few games they likely wouldn't have a year ago, was the group showing its competitiveness and a burning desire to improve.
Even incremental growth is significant for a program that has meandered for more than a decade.
But there also were the flashes of talent, that hounding defense, and the infusion of some offensive punch that made Poughkeepsie's potential seem real.
Right now, that positive sign is in neon lights.
Eighth-grade standout Mahogany Felix had 20 points and five assists, leading the 14th-seeded Pioneers in a 78-31 win over No. 19 Yonkers in a Section 1 Class AA outbracket game. The Poughkeepsie girls earned their first playoff victory since 2012.
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"For us to have a playoff game (at home), and even to make sectionals, is big for us," Laster told Poughkeepsie Pioneer Sports.
Nyla Anderson had 14 points and eight rebounds for Poughkeepsie. MoNahjae Dickens added 13 points, Mariah Charles had eight points and nine rebounds, and Nahgabriel Brathwaite scored eight.
Poughkeepsie rang up 81 points last Saturday in a rout of Scarsdale that clinched the playoff berth. The offense flourished down the stretch, but it was the defense, the coach said, that "got our motor running."
"I'm tremendously proud of these girls for the fight and energy they brought to the game," Laster said. "I told them to leave everything on the floor and that's what they did."
Poughkeepsie went on to lose to third-seeded Harrison in the first round, having its season end with a 67-35 loss Friday evening, but the team and its community are no less excited about the direction of the program.
"I am extremely proud of these young ladies for their effort and commitment to what we're building here," Laster tweeted. "We are just getting started."
John Jay tops rival to advance
Gavyn Pacheco scored 30 points to lead No. 9 John Jay-East Fishkill in an 85-81 win over eighth-seeded Ketcham in the first round of the Section 1 Class AAA boys basketball playoffs. Jack Hurley added 16 points and Matthew Partridge scored 14 for the Patriots, who took control late in what was a close game throughout.
John Jay (9-12) advances to face No. 1 White Plains in a quarterfinal on Feb. 23.
Kenrick Williams and Connor Durkin each scored 16 points for Ketcham.
Arlington wins big
Olivia Mrazek, a junior celebrating her birthday Thursday, had 16 points, 20 rebounds, three steals and two blocks to lead the eighth-seeded Arlington girls basketball team in a 58-33 win over No. 9 Port Chester in the opening round of the Section 1 Class AAA playoffs.
Ellia Bailey added 12 points and five assists, Jasmine Triunfo had 12 points and three assists, and Sophia Rescigno had eight rebounds. Port Chester's McKayla McLoughlin scored 13 points.
The Admirals will face top-seeded Ketcham in a quarterfinal on Feb. 23.
Poughkeepsie boys dominate
Kaiden Birdsong scored 21 points and Victor Lee had 20 points and four assists for seventh-seeded Poughkeepsie in a 79-64 win over No. 10 Scarsdale on Friday in the first round of the Section 1 Class AA boys basketball playoffs.
Savion Nesbitt added 11 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Jai Elting had 11 points and seven rebounds, and Jalen Lee had 10 points and eight rebounds. Birdsong hit two momentum-swinging 3-pointers in the final seconds of the first half, including a shot from beyond half court at the buzzer.
The Pioneers advanced to face No. 2 Peekskill in the quarterfinals on Feb. 22.
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Girls basketball: Felix leads Poughkeepsie to long-awaited playoff win
