On Monday November 18th, 2024 in the boys’ gym, the Tigers basketball team opened the season with a game against its long-standing rivals, Tottenville, in a game that highlighted fierce competition and high stakes. Despite the narrow loss, players reflected on their preparation, resilience, and determination to improve.
For Cy Greenblatt, the team captain, this game held personal significance, marking what could be his last opportunity to triumph over Tottenville in basketball, a feat with which he has struggled in both basketball and baseball over the past four years. Acknowledging the team’s hard work in practice and recognizing the challenges of early-season competition, he expressed confidence that with better preparation, Fort could defeat their rivals in the future. The team’s energy, close score, and dedication to improvement left players optimistic for what lies ahead this season.
“For the last four years I’ve actually played Tottenville not only in basketball but in baseball, and I have yet to beat them in either sport,” said Greenblatt. “Playing Tottenville this year in basketball, I knew it might be my last chance to beat them, so I went into the game with a lot of energy, hoping pure aggression could help win the game.”
After the 42-52 loss against Tottenvile, the Tigers took it upon themselves to realize their weaknesses and to work on them for the upcoming match.
“Although we lost, they were much bigger than us and it was the first game of the season,” said Greenblatt. “I am confident in the team’s ability to go up against strong competition due to how close the game was. I could improve on my shooting and play making for the upcoming games. And I’m excited for the remainder of the season.”
Coach Tolento articulated confidence in the team to win against Tottenville in its next game.
“Three years ago we beat them with my team that went to the quarterfinals,” said Coach Tolento. “[The] last two years we’ve struggled. Maybe we were not prepared since it’s too early into the season. If we play them later on we definitely would win with a better prepared team.”
From the stands, students were chanting and encouraging the Tigers; in hopes of them winning this intense matchup at the end of the game, students shared their team spirit.
“I believe this was a very fair game, because both teams were neck in neck until the fourth quarter when Tottenville started to create a lead,” said student spectator Abigail Hom, “I saw all players push themselves and try their best.”
The team’s communication with each other has progressed since last year.
“I also feel like the team chemistry is up from last year,” said student spectator and junior Noah Santiago.
Despite the rivalry and outcome being influential to the perspective of the match, they were not the only components that characterized the game. It was also defined by the energy that filled the room and the team’s support for each other.
“One thing that stood out to me most about the game was whenever our team made a 3[-point shot], the bench would stand up and get hype,” Hom said. “I felt the audience was for the most part energetic as well.”
Fort’s basketball team is not ready to give up yet. Each member of the team shares the desire to turn the tides of this rivalry. By building on past experiences, they are determined to win their upcoming games. Coach Tolento shares their determination to beat Tottenville and is preparing to guide his team to the playoffs.
“I always believe we are ready to go, we work hard at every practice, we learned a lot from last night,” said Coach Tolento. “And if we play again, I believe we could beat them.”
