SHARE

Walter Panas Boys Basketball Team Wins First Section 1 Title Since 1997

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Tim McCauley scored a team-high 29 points, including 15 in the first half, to lift Walter Panas to a 64-55 victory over Eastchester in the Section 1 Class A boys championship game at the County Center on Saturday.

The Walter Panas boys basketball team celebrates its 64-55 victory over Eastchester at the county Center.

Photo Credit: Danny LoPriore
Eastchester's Jack Daily was named to the Section 1  Class A All-Tournament team.

Eastchester's Jack Daily was named to the Section 1 Class A All-Tournament team.

Photo Credit: Danny LoPriore
The Section 1 Class A champion Walter Panas boys basketball team.

The Section 1 Class A champion Walter Panas boys basketball team.

Photo Credit: Danny LoPriore
(From left) Walter Panas seniors Tim McCauley, Tyler Mason, Tom Frost and Tom Parrish show ff their championship hardware at the county Center.

(From left) Walter Panas seniors Tim McCauley, Tyler Mason, Tom Frost and Tom Parrish show ff their championship hardware at the county Center.

Photo Credit: Danny LoPriore

It was the Panthers' first sectional title since 1997.

Second-seeded Walter Panas led 16-9 at halftime, but top-seeded Eastchester narrowed the lead to 32-29 after three quarters. McCauley, who did not score in the third quarter, rolled in 14 points in the fourth to seal the win.

Walter Panas earned a bye in the first round of the Class A state regional and will play in regional semifinal next weekend.

The Panthers' defense stifled top-seeded Eastchester's leading scorer, Jack Daily, holding the Eagles guard to two points in the first half and nine in the game.

Tom Parrish and Tom Frost helped limit the Eagles on offense while assisting McCauley and the offense.

"We play a team defense and everyone has to contribute," Parrish said. "We wanted to hold (Daly) and not let the others get easy shots inside."

Frost, who was a key on the offensive end and under the boards, said the win was a big boost for Walter Panas basketball.

"It's such a great feeling to win this at Section 1 and do to the state tournament," Frost said. "We think we have a balanced team. Tim is the go-to guy and we know we can depend on him to make big plays."

Benny DiMirco led Eastchester with 13, Nick Campana scored 11 and Mike Milo added 9 for Eastchester, who led 39-38 on a 3-pointer by DiMirco early in the fourth quarter.

Down 39-38, McCauley scored 12 points as Walter Panas outscored Eastchester 26-16 in the game's final 3:30.

Walter Panas last won a Section 1 title when it defeated Nyack in the semifinals then Poughksspsie for the title. NBA star Elton Brand's Peekskill team lost to Poughkeepsie in the other semifinal that year.

 

 

 

to follow Daily Voice Ossining and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE