By JIM MACLEAN
It was over in a hurry as John Jay came out on fire and kept hitting shots. The Wolves scored 25 points in the first quarter, added 25 more in the second, and rolled to a dominating 84-27 victory at home on Jan. 6, over Sleepy Hollow.
John Jay couldn’t miss, hitting three-pointers from outside, layups under the basket, and sinking free throws, as 13 different players scored for the Wolves. It was the third-straight victory for John Jay after starting the season at 1-5 as the Wolves continue to get healthy and hungry, and the results show on the court.
“I feel like we shot about 75 percent, it’s always about getting the ball to go in the basket, and the guys shot really well,” John Jay coach Tyler Sayre said about his teams’ performance. “Confidence gives you a lot to work with on offense when the shots start to fall like that. Shooting is the separator, if you hit shots it makes the rest of the game easy.”
John Jay made it look easy in the first quarter as Will Rickel, Sam Rickel and Colin Bishop each hit a three-pointer from outside and the Wolves scored at will for a 25-6 lead. The Wolves kept it up in the second quarter with defensive pressure resulting in turnovers and fast breaks. On offense the shots kept falling as the Wolves connected for four more three-pointers, including two from Ryan Valdes, and 25 more points for a commanding 50-16 lead.
There was no let up in the second half as everyone got involved for John Jay, and the Wolves went on a 15-0 run in the fourth quarter to close out the victory.
By the time it was over 13 different players had scored with a balanced scoring attack led by Sam Rickel with 14 points, and Valdes finished in double figures with 12 points, all in the first half. Will Rickel finished with nine points, and Mathias Baez scored eight points for the Wolves. Bishop and Marc Fein each scored seven points, while Will Civetta and Owen Gitelson each scored six points. Dylan Cooper at Alex Palacio scored four points apiece, Will Green scored three points, and Patrick Ryan and Jack Green each scored two points for the Wolves.
“Sam Rickel has led us in scoring two games in a row off the bench, the guys are really finding their stride and playing well,” said Sayre. “We expected to be kind of balanced and deep, never really knowing who is going to lead us each night, which is good, that balance helps us.”
John Jay scored another victory at home Jan. 3, to start the New Year as the Wolves defeated Yonkers by a score of 60-50. Three players scored in double figures as Sam Rickel led the way with 15 points. Civetta scored 14 points and Valdes finished with 10 points, while Bishop scored nine points and Will Rickel added six points for the Wolves.
John Jay scored a 53-36 win over Saunders before the holiday break, with Bishop scoring 14 points to lead the way as 12 different players scored for the Wolves to start the three-game win streak.
Injuries took a toll early in December as John Jay got off to a 1-5 start on the year, but the Wolves are healthy and coming together as a team with hopes for a strong second half of the season before the playoffs.
“We got off to a bit of a rough start, a couple of disappointing losses, and they’ve responded and we’re definitely playing better,” Sayre said of the start. “Wednesday will be a good test to see where we stand.”
John Jay was set to host the defending Section 1 Class A champions from Peekskill on Wednesday, and the Wolves travel to Gorton on Friday, Jan. 10.
Left to right, Sam Rickel scores two of his team-high 14 points in John Jay win over Sleepy Hollow. Ryan Valdes drives the lane for John Jay. Will Rickel lays up for the Wolves. Jim MacLean Photos