This match-up would be more about retribution. Last year, these two teams met at the Westchester County Center semi-finals but it would be Poughkeepsie that would leave victorious.
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This season the Poughkeepsie Pioneers would once again be the spoilers for North Rockland Red Raiders Championship run, advancing 71-65.
In the first quarter Rockland led midway scoring a five point lead 15-10. Pioneers senior Dayvone Whitaker would get a steal off Raiders senior, Jeff Jackson, driving down the court for two. A time out is called at the 1:37 mark. Jackson would recover the ball and counter in transition. In the closing minutes of the quarter, Raiders senior John Perez would miss a lay-up but Jackson would again recover the ball to score, putting Rockland 19-15 at the end of the first.
In the second quarter, Poughkeepsie would see its first lead, 21-20, after a dish from senior Tyquan Skinner to junior Elijah McLaurin with 3:36 remaining. The score would knot twice in this quarter, however, Rockland would pull ahead at the half, 28-25.
Poughkeepsie would not regain the lead in the third quarter until the 3:44 mark after junior Basheem Bennett missed free-throws but rebounded to score. Down 35-33, Raiders senior, Lester Anim would again tie the game up after he made both shots at the line. Whitaker would get one last shot off to close the third with the Pioneers up, 46-44.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Rockland attempted a come back after a rebound shot Pioneers junior Nate Gause gets a break away two hand dunk. Raiders' senior Steve Carey answers back with two. Skinner scores two more for the Pioneers. Whitker gets a breakaway two hand basket 59-49 giving the Pioneers their strongest lead at the 3:40 mark. Rockland chips away into the Pioneers lead after Perez scores a lay-up making the score, 66-63.
Time winds down and Perez makes another shot but Poughkeepsie is still leads 68-65. With seconds left in the quarter Rockland commits fouls and Poughkeepsie closes the game out from the foul line. Poughkeepsie advances to play Mount Vernon on Wednesday at 6pm.
Poughkeepsie's Dayvone Whitaker and Elijah McLaurin scored 19 points apiece. Nate Gause would contributed13 points.
North Rockland Basheem Bennett led in scoring for his team with 17 points. Jeff Jackson added 14 points.
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