The Alvirne High School Boys’ Basketball team will be heading into the Division I playoffs hosting their first-round game after finishing the regular season with a close 53-51 victory over the Windham Jaguars.
The Broncos earned the number-seven seed in the tournament and will face the Manchester Memorial Crusaders (#10), at home, on Wednesday, March 5, to start the state championship.
The AHS squad finished the season at 13-5, they are also riding a three-game winning streak and a 10-1 record over the past month and a half.
In the team’s final game of the regular season, on Tuesday, Feb. 25, the boys traveled to neighboring Windham to take on the 10-7 Jaguars, where the Broncos were able to hold off a final quarter press for the two-point victory.
Overall, it was a fairly close contest, with Alvirne accruing six-point lead going into the final period and holding off a 15-11 point charge in the fourth.
The Broncos started with a 17-12 lead after one quarter and finished leading by four at the half. In the third-quarter, AHS outscored the Jags 15-13, which worked out to be just enough to sustain a victory in the end.
Senior center Andrew Deely led all scorers with 17-points in the game. Deely had an even amount of points throughout the first three quarters in the victory.
Junior forward Garrett Hall finished with 10-points, scoring six of his ten down the stretch to help maintain the lead.
Senior guard Sam Dewitt put up nine-points on two, three-pointers, a two-point basket and one free-throw.
Junior guard/forward Sean Chipfunde had eight-points in the game. He got one three-pointer early and went five-for-six at the foul line.
First year coach Mitchell Roy is excited about the opportunity to start the playoffs at home.
Roy said, “I’m excited for the opportunity to compete in the tournament. We are an experienced group, but are facing a very experienced team in Memorial as well. It will be a huge challenge and it should be a great game to check out.”
He came to Alvirne after a very impressive 27-0 undefeated season and Division IV State Championship at Profile High School in Bethlehem.