B.B. boys’ varsity basketball loses to Briarcliff in overtime

January 11, 2024 at 2:03 a.m.

The Blind Brook boys’ varsity basketball team hosted the Briarcliff Bears on the night of Thursday, Jan. 4. The Trojans picked their season back up after a long winter break, not having played since Dec. 15. They came into this matchup with a 4-1 record, with senior captain Eli Zimmerman averaging 18.8 points per game and junior captain Noah Brookman right behind him.

A packed Blind Brook crowd filed into the gym just in time for the 6:15 contest, and the game was underway. The score was even all game long, and late in the fourth quarter it was back and forth between the Bears and Trojans. The Trojans were down by one with two seconds left when senior Ryan Stiler hit a one-legged buzzer beater to send the game into overtime. The crowd erupted, but the Trojans knew they still had work to do.

Blind Brook was not able to get it done in overtime and the Trojans fell to Briarcliff 71-70 in a heartbreaker. Zimmerman led the Trojans with 19 points, followed by Stiler with 16.

The Trojans recovered on Friday and kept their heads held high looking towards Saturday, Jan. 6 when they traveled to Rye High School at 3 p.m., with a crowd of loyal fans repping their royal blue right behind them.

The Trojans were struggling early against Rye and were not able to get a big grip on the Garnets. Despite junior Bailey Estep scoring 19 and Zimmerman putting up 16, the Trojans fell by 8 to Rye with a 58-50 score.

Despite the two losses following break, the Trojans have lots to be confident about as they look towards their next few games. Zimmerman has been playing elite basketball, averaging 18.4 points per game, and Stiler has been playing his best basketball as of the recent four games and has proven to be clutch in big moments.

The Trojans had a few days of recovery before traveling to Valhalla High School for a 6:15 p.m. matchup on Wednesday, Jan 10. They will then compete in a weekend tournament on Friday, Jan. 12 and Saturday, Jan. 13 that will take place at North Salem High School. Games will continue on Tuesday, Jan. 16 when Blind Brook travels to Westlake for a 4:30 p.m. game and on Thursday, Jan. 18 when the Trojans will travel to Pleasantville for a 4:30 p.m. matchup.