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The Arlington Admirals boys varsity basktball team opened its season by knocking off Ramapo, 51-45, on Monday, Dec. 10 at Arlington High School.
Arlington led 19-16 at the end of the first quarter, and they had sharpshooter Andrew Ziemins to thank for it. Ziemins accounted for 16 of Arlington’s 19 points, including four 3-pointers during the frame. Ziemins finished the night with a total of 18 points.
Louie Torres added a solo three-pointer in the first quarter, with 4:21 remaining. Torres was the second-leading scorer overall for the Admirals with a total of 15 points.
In the game, other Arlington scorers included Dave Neumann, Ted Kurdziel and Dan Quartuccio, who each had 4 points. and Carlos Santos, Ross Tremblay and Vince Ross, who each had 2.
In the second quarter, Quartuccio looked like a wide receiver, flying down the court for point guard Neumann’s quarterback-like outlet passes passes. On two occasions, Quartuccio scored easy baskets under the hoop.
Before the game, Ziemins said he reflected on what Admirals head coach Matt Hoyt told the team.
“Coach told us to work hard and keep running,” said Ziemins.
The team took that advice, with the senior Ziemins setting up Quartuccio underneath off a long pass for a bucket right before the half that gave the Admirals a 33-26 advantage at the midway point.
But after a furious charge in the third, Ramapo tied the game at 41 apiece with less than a minute remaining in the quarter.
Both teams kept fouling to a minimum in the first half, committing just three team fouls apiece. Ramapo picked up the pace, though, committing seven team fouls in the second half. But Arlington couldn’t capitalize on the penalty free throws early, and the fourth quarter brought players and spectators to the edge of their seats, with both teams tied at 45 with just under two minutes left in regulation.
Ramapo’s Kaiheim Husling went to the foul line to shoot two off Santos’ third personal foul with 50 seconds left, but Husling missed both free-throw attempts.
Quartuccio then inbounded the ball to Torres who broke the tie, putting his team ahead 47-45 with 33.5 seconds left.
Ramapo called a timeout and regrouped, but before they could get a shot off, Quartuccio stole the ball for the Admirals, dishing it to Ziemins who knocked down his only fourth-quarter shot, giving Arlington a four-point cushion.
Ramapo’s Donnel Davis then fouled Torres, who scored twice at the free-throw line with 18.5 seconds remaining in regulation to ice the win.
Starting fresh
The Section I Admirals come into this season on the heels of last season’s 16-6 record, after winning their league but falling to North Rockland in Sectionals.
Hoyt said his emphasis for the team this season is to “get better every night.”
“Coach kept emphasizing defense to us,” said Neumann following the victory.
The Admirals next play on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at home against White Plains after hosting North Rockland on Dec. 12, after the Beat’s deadline.
