Masuk Free Press

The Masuk Varsity Boys Basketball team took on the Stratford Red Devils on Monday, February 5, defeating them 70-65. But this wasn’t just another game for the Panthers, it was in honor of the 5 seniors on the team. Approaching the game, Masuk was confident with their 8-8 record, compared to Stratford’s 4-12. Although Masuk’s confidence subsided with the loss of 2 starters, in senior captain Matt Domenichelli and sophomore co-captain Tyler Newsom. With Domenichelli missing his senior night due to a foot injury, and Newsom out due to illness, the Panthers knew that it was going to be a hard matchup, and some other guys had to step up. 

Ahead of tip-off, Masuk’s 5 seniors, Matt Domenichelli, Colin Francisco, Ethan Palma, Ben Londono, and Malakai Roy, and their families, were honored by the team and fans, recognizing each and every one of their contributions and accomplishments. 

Immediately after tip-off, the atmosphere in the Masuk gymnasium was ecstatic. The entire first quarter was back and forth, with neither team extending a lead more than 4 points. Senior Ethan Palma played a huge part in the Panthers’ win, scoring 18 points and having multiple assists. When talking to Palma after the game, he touched on how many guys stepped up in the absence of Masuk’s star players. “We really used the ‘next guy up’ mentality like coach always tells us to, and we really got it done tonight.” Palma said. By the end of the first quarter, Masuk’s relentless work ethic was being diminished by the Red Devils’ automatic shooting, with the quarter ending 23-16 in favor of Stratford. 

The second quarter consisted of more back and forth, nonstop work ethics from both teams. Even with the Panthers making almost all of their shots, Stratford’s shooting was on point, extending their lead to 9 with not much time left in the half. But with a big shift in momentum at the end of the half, sophomore Mitch DeBernardo came up big with an and-one play to give Masuk momentum going into the break. The half ended 40-34 in favor of Stratford.

Throughout the night, there were games and trivia, and prizes handed out to lucky fans. The atmosphere in the David Strong Gymnasium was constantly roaring and energetic the entire night, with over 200 people coming out to support the Panthers’ graduating seniors.

That energy from the end of the first half carried into the start of the second, with Masuk completely shifting the momentum of the game, and going on an 18-6 run in the 3rd quarter. After the game, Domenichelli noted how much some other guys stepped up. “It was an all-around team effort.” Domenichelli said, “Looking at the stat sheet, multiple guys had 15+ points tonight.” Multiple players, including seniors Francisco and Londono, and sophomores DeBernardo and Alex Simoulidis were knocking down 3’s and getting to the basket, with the Panthers hitting 3 3’s in a row and finishing the 3rd quarter leading 52-46. 

The energy in the Masuk gym was thunderous throughout the game, but especially in the 4th quarter. Halfway through the last quarter, Stratford had cut the Panthers’ lead down to 2, and eventually made a 3 to give them a 57-56 lead over Masuk with less than 3 minutes left in the game. The entire game was back and forth, and this was made evident especially in the final minutes of Masuk’s senior night. 

With 3 minutes left and the Panthers down by 1, the crowd knew that the Panthers’ needed a big play, and so did Masuk sophomore DeBernardo. Stratford came down the court and missed a 3, with DeBernardo getting the rebound and tipping it over a Stratford player, followed by a flashy spin move and a behind the back pass to Oliver Irving, giving Masuk the lead once again with only a few minutes left in the game. This play gave the Panthers’ a load of momentum and confidence in the final minutes, followed by Francisco and Palma driving to the basket and drawing multiple fouls. Masuk hit almost all of their free throws in the final minutes, giving them a 70-65 win over a strong Stratford team. 

When talking to Coach Peter Szklarz after the game, he made remarks on how proud he was of the team. “I’m so proud of these seniors, we really couldn’t have dreamed of a better senior night. We’ve been battling injuries and illness, and it’s just that next guy up mentality. When these younger guys step up we really don’t miss a beat.” Szklarz and the team celebrated the seniors following the game with a party, acknowledging the seniors’ huge contributions to the team following a great win.