Huskies Devour Panthers In Home Opener

The Huskies played their first home game of the 2010-11 season Tuesday, defeating the Pleasantville Panthers in front of a near capacity crowd of students and alumni at Harrison High School.

The smaller, faster, Harrison team used a full-court press and transition offense to burst out of the gates and take a commanding lead. Michael Jacobson led the way with his sharp shooting and defense. By the end of the first quarter Harrison had a commanding 27-7 lead with Jacobson contributing 15 points.

"That's the first time all year we have been in a 2-2-1 press for an extended period of time and I thought it went very well," said Harrison Head Coach Gary Chiarella. "The kids did a good job of deflecting the ball and causing air time passes so other kids can try and steal the ball."

"We moved the ball well and played good defense and our offense came from that," said Jacobson. "You shoot when you're open, it was a good offensive game for us."

By halftime Harrison was already pulling their starters and emptying their bench while Pleasantville was searching for any possible lineup to chip into Harrison's commanding lead.

Once the Panthers trailed by double digets the team continued to make mental errors and mistakes, especially against the Harrison press.

"We can't catch, we can't pass, we dribble with our head down, and we don't come to the ball," said displeased Pleasantville Head Coach Bob Dellebovi, "100 percent lack of effort."

By the second half the game was all but over as the Huskies cruised without even a threat from the Panthers. The scoring output was distributed evenly for Harrison as four players had at least eight points thanks in large part to the team's co-captain and point guard Michael Chiarella who distributed the ball well and led the Harrison charge on offense.

"Right now the key guys coming off the bench are Max Bruckner and Kobe Lefkowitz, they give us a little fire power offensively," said Chiarella. "Defensively Brian Lauro has been doing a great job off of the bench."

Jacobson finished the game as the high scorer with 18, Chiarella and fellow senior Steven Ricciardi each added eight and Bruckner contributed nine points off of the bench.

Harrison starting forward Ryan Evans left the game after taking an elbow to the head, there is no immediate prognosis on his return.

The win puts Harrison at 3-2 going into this weekend's matchup against Horace Greeley.