NCN SPORTS BLOG

Ossining fell to Lourdes, 61-59, in a hotly contested game throughout.

Down 58-57 with 25 seconds left, Tyler Davidov’s 3-point attempt clanked off the iron.N

Notes on the game: 

* In my opinion, Jeff Ward needs to get more touches. Ward has averaged 20 ppg in the four games that Ossining has won. The big fella has a solid skill set and a nose for the ball around the basket. Like the Knicks tried to do with Eddy Curry — feeding him non-stop inside — Ossining should do with Ward. He is their best player and also the most likely to carry the team on his back to a victory. Feeding him down low on the blocks — in theory — should open up more space on the perimeter for Tyler Davidov. When given time and not rushed, Davidov is pure from outside (especially from in the corner). But he really needs that added space to connect and be successful.

* Myles Thomas is a terrific athlete, however, he probably should have just gone for lay-ups on his two missed dunk attempts. Henry Crosby was there to clean one up in the second half, but his one in the first half ricocheted off the rim and out of bounds. I feel like a crotchety old man saying this, but every single point counts.

* Head Coach Lonnie Drinks has had a tough season. The team lost a lot of talent last season, headlined by Kenny Horton. Without these star studded seniors, Ossining is wihtout a go-to-guy down the stretch. Ward probabyly should be that buy, but Ossining doesn’t seem to have a pure point guard to dish it down low.

* Jesse Drinks made a play in the latter stages of the game that made me yearn for football season. Following a deep Lourdes baseball-like inbound pass to a wide open man on the far end of the court, Drinks made a cornerback-esque move and broke up the pass right before it reached the intended player. I will have something on Drinks / Thomas defensive back connection in the next issue.