Chaminade pushes past Port Washington
The CHSAA champs, the Chaminade Flyers, started off 2-0 to begin the year but have lost their last two non-league matchups. They look to bounce back as they host 5-0 Port Washington Vikings, who are off to a strong start. Let’s break it down.
Flyers got an early three from 6'0” G Kyle Dillon Chaminade ‘26, a quick score off a miss. Nassau AA2 player of the year last season 6’3” PG Trevor Amalfitano Port Washington ‘24 converted 1/2 from the line. Chaminade drilled a three, Port Washington answered with a three of their own. Flyers converted a layup and the Vikings responded with a bucket. Amalfitano scored, Chaminade scored on back to back possessions. Vikings hit a big three, but the Flyers knocked down one as well.
Chaminade led by 6 with 3 minutes remaining in the first quarter. Vikings scored inside, had a stop, scored again. Chaminade answered with a 4-0 run, but the Vikings finished the first quarter on a nice 6-0 run, capped off by Amalfitano. The second quarter began with a bucket from Dillon Chaminade scored after a miss. Port Washington had back-to-back baskets when 6’5” SF Joe Knaus Chaminade ‘24 drilled a deep three. Amalfitano scored inside, Dillon had a bucket. Knaus scored, and the Flyers got another two points after a Port Washington turnover. Vikings gave up another basket. Knaus buried a three, Port Washington missed as Chaminade was able to score inside again.
Port Washington was down 14 late in the second until they made two free throws and got a big bucket from Amalfitano. The Vikings trailed the Flyers 41-31 as the game looked like a potential track meet. Chaminade’s press was a big problem for Port Washington in the second and they used it again to start the third. Dillon scored, Knaus found Dillon for another hoop and then got a bucket for himself.
Port Washington canned a three, Dillon hit a triple, Vikings scored and Chaminade finished a layup. Amalfitano drove to the cup for two, Knaus buried a triple, Vikings scored but Dillon hit another three pointer. Amalfitano scored with defenders all over him, Chaminade hit a jumper, got a stop then a late bucket. Flyers hit 1/2 free throws, Vikings scored off a nice pass, Amalfitano converted a pair of free throws, but Chaminade scored again to end the quarter.
Flyers led 65-46 as they kept up with the full court press while also trapping. Port Washington missed the free throw of an and1. Amalfitano hit both free throws, and Knaus hit a three. Amalfitano scored again. The Vikings grinded out two baskets after stops but Chaminade knocked down a three after a couple of misses. Dillon hit two free throws. Chaminade then went 1/2, and Amalfitano finished a tough inside hoop, but the Flyers answered.
Amalfitano converted a wild and1. Dillon scored after killing clock, the Vikings scored, had a stop plus two more free throws from Amalfitano but it was too late. The Vikings had run out of time as they lost 78-66 to the CHSAA champs.
Dillon really impressed us with 19 points for Chaminade, and Knaus did as well, adding 16 points. Amalfitano led all scorers with 24 points and proved once again when he’s one of the best Nassau has to offer. These two programs should be in the top ten all year long as they each have great opportunities to win championships.