Sunday, December 27, 2015
Tamarkin, tested Tigers come through against rival Eagles
By Greg Gulas
HOWLAND
Howland entered Saturday night’s boys basketball game against arch-rival Warren JFK with four losses, but those setbacks came against teams that were a combined 27-2.
Those opponents should help prepare the Tigers for what is to come.
Connor Tamarkin had a game-high 18 points, Luciano Romeo added 16 and Howland was 20 of 26 at the foul line in a 69-63 win over the Eagles.
“Our losses came against some pretty good teams and that has prepared us for our upcoming seven-game stretch,” Tamarkin said. “Warren JFK is a big rival and tonight’s game went back and forth the entire night. We took the lead, they cut into it, we’d build it back up and then they’d cut the deficit once again. This is a nice win for us.”
Four points by Romeo helped the Tigers (4-4) on a 10-0 run to start the game as Howland grabbed the lead at the outset and never relinquished it.
Romeo scored eight of his 16 points in the first quarter.
“You always expect physicality from JFK,” Romeo said. “They are our big rivals so we weren’t expecting a soft game. The stands were full tonight with fans who were supporting their respective teams and it really pulled both communities together.”
A bucket by Tamarkin at 4:15 of the second quarter increased the Tigers’ lead to 26-17, but back-to-back 3-pointers by Kyle Fenton and Tamarkin gave Howland 34-23 margin.
Howland settled for a 36-25 lead at the intermission.
A ball-hawking Tigers defense forced 14 turnovers by the Eagles (2-4) in the opening half. Warren JFK finished with 25.
“You cannot spot a team like Howland a 10-point lead to start the game, especially when you’re playing them on the road,” Eagles head coach John Richards said. “We never had the lead in the game and fought all night to get over the hump.
“It’s the little things like rebounding, making free throws, forcing turnovers and executing that win games. We’re a young team that has talent and skill, but need to learn that when we cut into the lead, then our focus and concentration has to be greater. This team is only six games into the season and will only get better. The intensity and fight was there tonight. We just fell short in our execution.”
Two basketrs by Fenton at the outset of the second half gave Howland a 40-30 advantage, but the Eagles went on a 10-4 run to cut the Tigers’ lead to three points, 40-37, midway through the period.
Six points by Evan Boyd helped Warren JFK on an 8-2 stretch as the Eagles cut the Tigers deficit to 47-45 with 1:21 remaining in the quarter.
A 3-pointer by Howland’s Nate Leventis with time running out then helped the Tigers to a 54-47 lead after three quarters.
A bucket in the lane by Nate Woods pulled the Eagles to within 63-61 with 1:58 remaining, but Howland scored six of the game’s final eight points — all at the charity stripe — for its second consecutive win.
“Our first four games this season were relentless and with this being a rivalry game, you expect it to be emotional and physical,” Tigers coach Jason Lee said. “We lost on a late run last season so the bragging rights come back to Howland this year.”
Fenton added 11 points for Howland while four Eagles finished in double figure — Justin Bofenkamp (15 points), Terrance King (15), Nate Woods (14) and Boyd (12).