STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The scoreboard made it obvious Staten Island Academy was going to secure its 15th consecutive win to start the season. That, first and foremost, was paramount.
The only question remaining at that point was whether star guard Danny Nowak was going to join the Island’s 1,000-point club before the game against St. Ann’s ended.
Nowak, who entered Friday’s contest needing 17 points to reach the coveted mark, got within a point with exactly 59 seconds left.
But the three-year varsity player couldn’t cash in on a few chances and with time winding down, the tension was almost tangible.
But this is Nowak we’re talking about. He very rarely, if ever, disappoints and he wasn’t about to let down the sizable crowd on hand.
And he didn’t.
The senior guard, in fact, electrified SIA’s faithful when he converted a pretty give-and-go pass from John Elefterakis into a basket with just 10.5 ticks on the clock. Nowak was fouled on the play, but even though he missed the free throw in an attempt to complete a three-point play, he accomplished his mission during a 66-56 ACIS triumph over the visiting Steamers in Dongan Hills.
Nowak becomes the 19th SIA player to reach 1,000 points and the first since Ryan Cambria did it three seasons ago. In addition, he is the second Islander to eclipse the mark this season (MSIT’s Nizayah Jordan was the first last Monday).
Staten Island Academy guard Danny Nowak, left, is closely guarded by St. Ann’s Che Woods during Friday’s PSAL contest in Dongan Hills. Nowak scored the 1,000th point of his career during the game.(Advance/SILive.com | Charlie De Biase Jr.)
“It’s an honor. I came from a school where I didn’t play a minute of a game and I never thought I’d ever be in a situation like this,’’ explained the soft-spoken Nowak. ”I got connected to SIA and it’s been the best decision I’ve made so far.
“Honestly, reaching a thousand points has always been in the back of my mind, but this season, in particular, it’s not the top priority for me,’’ the 17-year-old continued. ”We’re 15-0 and that’s my main focus right now.’’
“He’s just a tremendous player and an even better kid. He’s the quintessential student-athlete here — student-body president, theatre production and probably the top scholar, if not the top, in his class,’’ said SIA head coach Mike Mazella. “To (score 1,000 points) in 2 1/2 years is incredible. He’s not a three-point shooter, but he is a strong driver who succeeds through sheer will and determination on the court and his ability to get to the basket when defenses know that that’s his go-to move is incredible.’’
Nowak’s 18 points led the way for the Tigers, who also improved to 10-0 in ACIS play. Gabe Moschella and Luke DeVito added 17 apiece for SIA, which swept the season series from the Steamers.
SIA saw a 17-point, third quarter lead whittle down to five (55-50) with just under three minutes to play. SIA was up six when DeVito knocked down his fourth and final trey and Nowak followed with a bucket in transition to up the hosts lead back to double digits (64-53) with under a minute to play in the game.
With the win seemingly in hand and Nowak only a point away from reaching a grand, time was winding down when the Tigers went into four corners and Nowak found himself with the ball high on the right wing.
He made a pass to Elefterakis in the right corner and immediately cut to the basket. Elefterakis returned the pass to Nowak, who drove to the rim and put the ball in with 10.5 ticks left in the game.
Staten Island Academy’s Luke DeVito, right, guards St. Ann’s Mati Friedman-Villegas during Friday’s PSAA contest in Dongan Hills.(Advance/SILive.com | Charlie De Biase Jr.)
“It was getting a little nerve-wracking,’’ laughed Nowak of time winding down. ”Everyone was cheering when I went to the free-throw line earlier and it’s great to get that support.
“I really wanted something a little bit flashier. I was just hoping it wasn’t a wide-open layup’’ he admitted. ”But I’ll take an ‘and-1.’ It was a big weight off my shoulders when it happened. I was happy to get to that point. Hearing the crowd go crazy — it was the loudest crowd I ever heard in my life.’’
“Normally we’d be holding it out and letting the clock wind down, but we told him, ‘you gotta go, you gotta go,’’ said Mazella. ”Let’s get it over right now so you don’t have to go to bed thinking about it.
“He scored on a heads-up play,’’ the 22nd-year head coach added. ”We figured he’d hold it and they’d foul him, but it didn’t look like they were going to do that. So he gave it to (Elefterakis) and got it back. It went back to the basics of basketball. Pass and cut and that’s how he should have got it — a strong drive to the basket.’’
Like so many other times before.
NOTES: SIA owned a 39-33 lead early in the third quarter, but the Tigers got some separation shortly after they switched from man-to-man to a 2-3 halfcourt zone defense. The change, in fact, ignited an 11-0 run that was led by Ayden How and Moschella (four points apiece). DeVito’s trey capped the run and helped give the hosts a 52-37 lead entering the fourth … Moschella, meanwhile, scored a pair of big interior buckets against St. Ann’s extended 3-2 zone to help SIA pull away in the fourth. “Those baskets by Moschella were huge,’’ said Mazella. ”He’s a very versatile scorer for us. He’s so active and strong, he drives and when he gets the ball near the basket, we feel pretty good.’’ … St. Ann’s was led by Odinn Broddason (13 points) and Mati Friedman-Villegas (12 points) … The Steamers won the battle of the boards behind Broddason (game-high 15 rebounds) and Friedman-Villegas (six). Nowak and DeVito grabbed nine and eight caroms, respectively, for SIA … The Tigers committed just eight turnovers, including three in the second half. St. Ann’s turned it over 24 times … Nowak also drew an offensive foul for the Tigers.
Junior varsity
SIA 65, St. Ann’s 47
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Tigers ran their record to 7-4 with a ACIS home victory over St. Ann’s on Friday. The win was the Tigers’ fourth in a row and moved their ACIS league record to 6-3.
Rob Esposito turned in another strong performance for SIA with 19 points, and Josiah Wheatley-Harewood added 17. Nate Wildrick, Sal Bongiorno and Patrick Sheehan all chipped in with eight while KP Pannell added five.
Teddy Liodakis and Ryan Cruz excelled defensively for the Tigers.
SIA 55, Avenues 52 (OT).
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Wheatley-Harewood’s twisting layup forced the extra period, as the two teams ended regulation tied at 46.
A Rob Esposito jump shot gave SIA a 50-48 lead in the extra session, and then, after an Avenues basket tied the score, KP Pannell hit a left-wing trey to give the Tigers a three-point advantage.
After another Avenues score, Patrick Sheehan made two clutch free throws before a three-point attempt by the visitors failed to connect.
Sheehan led SIA with 14 points. Wheatley-Harewood added 13, while Esposito chipped in with 11. Nate Wildrick scored nine points and led SIA with eight rebounds.
Susan Wagner 56, Elizabeth 45
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Jayden Acea (21 points) was one of four players in double digits as the Falcons rolled to the non-league victory over the New Jersey school.
Kyle Kyee (14 points), Kasyn Ford (11 points) and Jael Felipe (10 points) also contributed offensively for SW.
Kyee had a three and was 7 of 8 from the line while Acea connected on 5 of 7 from the charity stripe.