Two Haldane seniors shine
By Kathie Scanlon
There was a strong Philipstown presence at the Basketball Coaches Association of New York (BCANY) Summer Hoops Festival in Johnson City on August 1-3.
Two seniors on Haldane Varsity Basketball, Peter Hoffmann and Allie Monteleone, played on the Hudson Valley team. Bill Thom coached the boys’ team, assisted by coaches Billy Thom and Nick Natasi, all Philipstown residents.
In its fourth year, the BCANY tournament offers a replacement to the Empire State Games, which were cancelled by New York State. The 1,600-member organization hosts the Summer Hoops Festival, dividing the state into eight regions to bring together the best players from across the state to compete.
Boys Hudson Valley coach Bill Thom, who is head coach for Croton High School Varsity Basketball, said this was the best team he’d been involved with in his coaching career with BCANY and the Empire State Games. This was the first year that BCANY included private schools in the drafting; six of the twelve players were from public schools.
The boys’ team completed the tournament 5-0 bringing home the gold medal by defeating the Central team 103- 63 and last year’s gold medal winner, Adirondack, 97-73. This is the Hudson Valley’s second gold in three seasons; last year they earned the silver medal. Peter Hoffmann, 6’4”, placed third in the State in the dunk contest.
Allie Monteleone, playing for the Hudson Valley girls’ team, was one of two returning players on the roster of 10. Monteleone made a significant contribution to her team’s second-place finish. The Girls’ Hudson Valley team has also competed in the last three championships.
Photos provided
