Induction Sport Type

2013 Basketball Team 1976-1977

1977 CLASS C STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL TEAM.

The 1976-77 Basketball team was the most successful in Rye Neck history, recording 22 wins including 18 in a row.  Ranked the Number 1 Small School by the New York State Sportswriters to begin the season, the Panthers faced numerous injuries and tough competition on their way to the title.  The undefeated league champions ravaged opponents scoring 70 or more points in 10 contests, but faced tough competition in the likes of Woodlands and Alexander Hamilton.  

It was during the sectional semifinals against Bronxville that they had to survive their biggest scare. Down one with 7 seconds left, the Cagers had a few opportunities to take the lead but two outside shots bounced off the rim with the second landing in Daymon Yizar’s hands.  His quick lay-up put the Panthers ahead, and after a quick conference by officials to determine whether or not time had expired before the basket was scored, it sealed their spot in the championship game against Pleasantville. The team was crowned sectional champions after beating Pleasantville 70-59, and went on to win the North Eastern Regional Class C Title with a 76-64 win over Schuylerville.

The team was led by All-County star Daymon Yizar who was both a 1000 point scorer and pulled down over 1000 rebounds too. Also named to the conference all-star team were Joe Calvini and John Colangelo.

The 1977 Championship Team was led by Head Coach Al Hubschman, longtime coach and athletic director for Rye Neck. This legendary lineup consisted of players Joe Calvini, Daymon Yizar, Dan Markowitz, Dan Cantor, Sam Foley, John Colangelo, John Wagner, Bart DiNardo, Carl Forte, Pat Ferraro, Bill Horvath, Tim Alcott and Mark Bennett. The 1977 Championship Basketball Team was inducted into the Rye Neck Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.