STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The closeness of the Staten Island basketball community came through for one another in a pinch.
When College Achievement Regional HS (N.J.) pulled out of its game with Susan Wagner at the last minute, SW head coach Danny Lanigan was scrambling for an opponent.
Normally this would not have been that big of a deal, but it was Senior Night for the Falcons and the team’s festivities were on the verge of being spoiled.
But, in typical Island fashion Nick Lezoli and the Petrides Panthers stepped in and were able to give the Sea View school not only a competitive matchup, but a successful Senior sendoff to eight graduating Falcons.
“I can not thank coach Lezoli and the Petrides team enough for filling in at the last minute,” lauded Lanigan. “It was their third game in a row and they’re also playing Sunday. His kids played hard and played a great game and their leading scorer Daynell Rowland (35 points) can really put the ball in the basket.”
Wagner was able to register an 87-77 triumph to the pleasure of the home crowd and its head coach heaped praise on his senior class.
“It was an enjoyable night for our entire roster as we honored eight special kids with a pre-game ceremony,” said Lanigan. “All eight got in the scoring column, registered a rebound and it was a great night for a great group of young men.”
Senior star Chris Albano notched a team-high 26 points, while classmates Charles Gambino and Jimmy Eisenhardt split 24. Adem Djonbalic had nine, while Darin Humes-James and Oniks Ulaj (eight boards) split 16. Fellow seniors Yusef Daramy and Andrew Ficaro each had a bucket.
“Chris (Albano) had an exceptional scoring night once again and freshman Brayden Louisson did a great job of finding the seniors in the right spots to score baskets,” added Lanigan.
Kareem Nesbitt threw in 24 for the Panthers, who also got 11 markers from Aiden Gonzalez.
SW is back in PSAL 4A action Saturday as it hosts South Shore (1 p.m.). The Panthers host Graphics Campus in a 3A test, Sunday at noon in Sunnyside.
Staten Island Academy’s Gabe Moschella looks to get by his defender during a matchup against Avenues on Monday, Jan. 14, 2026. (Advance/SILive.com | Michael O’Brien)Michael O’Brien
SIA 57, Berkley Carroll 54
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Tigers earned a hard-fought ACIS victory over Berkeley Carroll on Friday night in Dongan Hills, as the host team made enough plays down the stretch.
SIA snapped its two-game losing streak and was led in scoring by Gabe Moschella, who poured in 18 points. Danny Nowak added 17 for the hosts, and Luke DeVito chipped in with 14.
A back-and-forth first quarter saw the Tigers emerge with a 22-16 lead. SIA’s strong defensive effort in the second quarter allowed the hosts to take a 34-20 lead into halftime.
The Lions, however, would explode in the third quarter, as the visitors outscored the Tigers 24-9 in the period to take a one-point edge heading into the final stanza.
“Give BC credit,” praised Tiger head coach Mike Mazella. “Their defensive adjustment to a match-up zone gave us some trouble and they started hurting us in the paint on their offensive end.”
The fourth quarter saw both teams alternately making key plays to forge ahead, as the lead changed six times in the final period.
Trailing 46-43, DeVito would get fouled while converting a lay-up. Sophomore Mike Belkin would come up with an offensive rebound off the missed free throw before finding DeVito for another lay-in and a 47-46 Tiger lead that swung momentum.
A Nowak transition layup off a Moschella assist tied the game after BC had retaken the lead. Then, a key DeVito block thwarted a Lions’ scoring chance, and moments later, Moschella would convert a John Elefterakis assist to give the Tigers a 53-52 lead with just over a minute left.
“We had some untimely turnovers during the course of the game,” Mazella noted, “but when we needed to make plays in crunch time, we were able to share the ball in transition to battle back and then take the lead.”
Still, the Tigers found themselves trailing again, when two free throws from the Lions’ Ackiee Brown gave the Lions a 54-53 lead. However, another Elefterakis feed off a transition opportunity resulted in a Moschella three-point play to give the Tigers a two-point lead.
Belkin, who was praised by Mazella for his outstanding job rebounding — especially on the offensive boards, would hit a free throw with seconds left, and a final defensive stand by the Tigers ended with a missed BC three from half court.
With the win, the Tigers moved to 17-2 on the season (11-2 in the ACIS). SIA is back in action when it takes on ACIS rival Friends Seminary in a Senior Day contest that serves as its regular season finale on Monday.
JV
Farrell 49, Sea 42
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Lions got a 14-point effort from Vincent Kraker to sweep the season series from the Vikings on the road in Huguenot. The win also clinched the regular-season Island CHSAA title for head coach Pete Tutrone’s young men.
“Earning the regular season title was definitely a goal of ours from the beginning of the season and that’s a testament to the hard work of our boys and coaches,” stated Tutrone. “All the Island schools (Sea, Moore, St. Peter’s) have outstanding players and staff’s and every game is a battle. The postseason is approaching and it’s time to reset and focus on some of our other goals.”
Jamie Cruz (8), Bryce Moye (8) and Jacob Ralefsky (7) also contributed for the Lions, who improved to 12-5 overall and 5-1 in the league.
Jack Murphy had 15 and Mike Prue 14 for Sea.
Berkeley Carroll 62, SIA 43
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Tigers dropped their second consecutive ACIS decision, falling Friday at home. Josiah Wheatley-Harewood paced the Tigers with 14 points, while Nathan Wildrick and Rob Esposito split 20 markers for the hosts.
With the loss, the Tigers’ record dropped to 8-6 (7-5 in the ACIS). SIA is back in action on Monday when Friends Seminary visits for the Tigers’ regular-season finale.
Petrides 56, MSIT 55
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Deen Wyne scored 21 points to lift the Panthers to victory. Jeremih Johnson and Hamza Abuzahrieh contributed 13 and 12, respectively, for the winner’s who evened their PSAL mark at 5-5 with the road victory.
Adam Kaba led the Gulls with 20, while Ian Evans had 11.