Nyack and coach Ethan Smith were surprised to learn host Pelham was their opponent in Saturday’s Class A outbracket game, but certainly not upset.
A year after Pelham won on their home floor in the first round, the 19th-seeded Indians returned the favor, winning 52-51 in a game that was tight right through the very last shot.
Nyack (8-11) advanced to play No. 3 Our Lady of Lourdes in the first round at 5 p.m. Sunday.
“I feel like they took away one in our gym last year, so this year we wanted to get one back in their gym,” said Nyack guard Ethan Smith Jr., who hit two of his team’s six straight free throws in the final minute.
Barry Battle’s three-point play and Thomas Keys’ free throws erased a five-point deficit. Max Baroni also hit a pair to put Nyack ahead for good, 50-48, with 46.9 reamining.
Senior Jahnai Henry led the Indians with 13 points and had seven rebounds.
Ketcham 64, Horace Greeley 56: In a Class AA outbracket game at No. 14 Ketcham, Cameron Ciero had 26 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals for the No. 19 Quakers. The Indians will head to No. 3 White Plains Sunday at 1 p.m. for a first-round game.
Rye 62, Gorton 59, OT: In a Class A outbracket game at No. 16 Gorton, Drew Abate and George Kirby each had 13 points for the No. 17 Garnets. Rashan McKay had 23 points, including his 1,000th, for the Wolves. Rye heads to No. 1 Eastchester Sunday at 3 for a first-round game.
Scarsdale 57, Port Chester 31: In a Class AA outbracket game at No. 15 Scarsdale, Michael Rolfe had 17 points. The Raiders travel to No. 2 Clarkstown South Sunday at 7 p.m. for a first-round game.
Tappan Zee 63, Albertus Magnus 51: In a Class A outbracket game at No. 6 Tappan Zee, Luke McLaughlin had 29 points. The Dutchmen will host the winner of No. 11 Poughkeepsie/No. 22 Nanuet Monday at 2 p.m. in a first-round game.
Byram Hills 66, Hen Hud 32: In a Class A outbracket game at No. 8 Byram Hills, Andrew Groll had 13 points and 19 rebounds. The Bobcats will host the winner of No. 9 Peekskill/No. 24 Sleepy Hollow Monday at 1 p.m. in a first-round game.
John Jay 61, Roosevelt 36: In a Class A outbracket game at No. 13 John Jay, Phil Toon had 14 points and 10 assists. The Indians will head to No. 4 Harrison Sunday at 1 p.m. for a first-round game.
Pearl River 69, Yonkers 39: In a Class A outbracket game at No. 10 Pearl River, Jack Byrnes scored 14 points. Eli Rodriguez had 13 points for the No. 23 Bulldogs. The Pirates will head to No. 7 Beacon Sunday at 2 p.m. for a first-round game.
Somers 48, Lakeland 32: In a Class A outbracket game at No. 12 Somers, Conor Cousin had 17 points. The Tuskers will visit No. 5 Saunders Sunday at 2 p.m. for a first-round game.
Beacon 69, Lincoln 39: In a Class A outbracket game at No. 7 Beacon, Felix Martinez had 13 points for No. 26 Lincoln. The Bulldogs will host No. 10 Pearl River Sunday at 2 p.m. in a first-round game.
Riverside 49, Brewster 40: In a Class A outbracket game at No. 15 Riverside, Eddie Jackson had 18 points and Mike Gegovic added 17. The Rams will visit No. 2 Panas Sunday at 3 p.m. for a first-round game.
North Rockland 73, Yorktown 56: In a Class AA outbracket game at No. 16 Yorktown, Michael Arias (15 points), Evly Davis (13) and Mike Earlington (10) all scored in double figures for No. 17 North Rockland. The Red Raiders will visit No. 1 Mount Vernon Sunday at 2 p.m. in a first-round game.
Clarkstown North 76, Ramapo 68: In a Class AA outbracket game at No. 13 Ramapo, Jeremy Becker had 23 points to lead No. 20 Clarkstown North. The Rams will play at No. 4 Fox Lane in a first-round game Sunday at 1 p.m.
