Varsity Roundup: Haldane

BOYS’ BASKETBALL — The 2023-24 season ended at the Class C state title game, where Haldane lost a heartbreaker for the second year in a row. The team had nine seniors, including Matt Nachamkin, Ross Esposito, Michael Murray and Evan Giachinta, who graduated in June. 

Two starters return, Nate Stickle and Fallou Faye. The seniors are joined by sophomore Ryder Griffin, junior Zane Del Pozo and junior Luke Bozsik, who began 2023-24 on the junior varsity and turned into a reliable spark plug off the bench. Griffin also was called up late in the season from JV, and Del Pozo played sparingly but will take over as point guard. 

The Blue Devils opened on Tuesday (Dec. 10) with a 63-53 loss on the road at Blind Brook, although they had several runs that kept it close, cutting the lead to two with 2:25 left in the first half behind eight points from Stickle, who finished with 16. In the fourth quarter, Bozsik scored eight straight to cut the deficit to seven; he finished with 17.

The Blue Devils (0-1) travel to Leffell on Monday (Dec. 16) and Hamilton on Wednesday. Their first home game is scheduled for Jan. 7 against Briarcliff.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL — Although Haldane finished 9-13 in 2023-24, the team won six more games than the season before with a roster of just eight players. Only two of those players — Camilla McDaniel and Ruby Poses — graduated, keeping the core intact. The Blue Devils also have a new coach, Scott Timpano, who took over for Charles Martinez. 

The Blue Devils hosted FDR on Dec. 6 in their opener, losing, 51-31. With constant pressure, FDR’s defense held Haldane to just a single point in the first quarter and the Blue Devils didn’t score a field goal until 4:26 left in the half. Down 20-1, the team began to find some offensive rhythm while pressing on defense and closing the half with a 14-7 run. 

Midway through the third quarter, junior Marisa Peters hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to 10, but that was as close as it got. Peters, seventh grader Mackenzie Tobin and junior Kayla Ruggiero each scored eight points. 

The Blue Devils bounced back on Wednesday (Dec. 11) with a 44-41 home win over Leffell. The Lions had a six-point lead with 5:15 left in the game, but Haldane came back to tie and took the lead with 2:48 left on a layup by Ruggiero. Peters finished with 21 and Ruggiero scored 11. 

Haldane traveled to Port Chester on Thursday (Dec. 12) and will travel to Riverside on Saturday, Hamilton on Monday and Port Chester on Dec. 19.

FALL HONORS — Brandt Robbins was an honorable mention selection to the boys’ soccer All-Section team.