HOOPSTERS HEAD TO PLAYOFFS

The scoreboard showed a 93-87 defeat to Brooklyn Collegiate, but it hardly seemed like a loss at all. A standing-room only crowd in Tech’s Blue Dungeon gym had roared their approval throughout the thrilling triple-overtime final season game between two evenly matched teams.

The Tech Engineers and Brooklyn Collegiate had both been assured Brooklyn A East Division playoff spots as they entered the season’s final game on February 3rd with identical 10-3 records. This game’s winner would be seeded second in the playoffs, the loser third. For the Tech Engineers, the season marked a tremendous turnaround from their 10 loss 2009 season, as they finished with their best record since 2002.

Senior point guard Carlos Mesa led the scoring for the Engineers with 30 points including five three-pointers. Senior Kherel Silcott contributed 16 points and 18 rebounds before fouling out and senior Elijah Johnston scored 15. (Silcott and Johnston have been awarded full scholarships to New Jersey Institute of Technology and Skidmore respectively.)

Tech’s coach Stephen Gigliello was not surprised by his team’s success: “They took their lumps last year, but they learned from their mistakes.” He credited his veteran team for working hard to get in shape and learning how to play together. He proudly stated that “Everyone knows their role this year.”

Gigliello has coached the varsity since 1989 and fondly recalls the 1993-94 team that made it to the Final Four before losing to the Stephon Marbury led Lincoln squad. Gigliello received Brooklyn Coach of the Year honors by the Daily News and Newsday that year. He believes that Tech’s glory days are back, and the team’s tenacity and cohesiveness gives them a chance to “make a run at the championship.”

The Engineers will face the Murry Bergtraum Blazers in the opening round of the playoffs at the Bergtraum High School gym on Wednesday, February 24th at 5:00 p.m.