Valhalla, NY – Team records truly may not show how bad, or in this case, how good a team could really be. The 13-15 Men's Basketball Team has had its ups and downs throughout the 2022-2023 season, however, last night's performance against a solid Lackawanna team shows the heart, dedication, and talent the Vikings posses to make a run for the Region 15 title.
 
The entire first half was a back and forth battle between the two teams. Halfway through the first half the Vikings would take a seven-point lead over the Falcons (17-10) before a 9-2 run would tie the game back up at 20 apiece. Both teams would take jabs at scoring before the first-half buzzer. Westchester held Lackawanna to a 30% shooting performance while they banked in a solid 44% of their shots in the half.
 
The second half saw a well-balanced offensive attack from SUNY WCC. They shot an astonishing 51% from the field, 80% from the charity stripe, and collectively scoring 40 points in route to a great team victory. Westchester's defense was no slouch either! The Vikings held the Falcons to a 31% shooting night as well as blocking six shots and collecting three steals.
 
Westchester was lead by Omar Nkonde (Thurgood Marshall Academy/Harlem, NY) who had a game-high 23 points and 13 rebounds, Yenfry Paulino (North Rockland HS/West Haverstraw, NY) who had 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Ed Beqiri (Archbishop Stepinac HS/Yonkers, NY) who finished up with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks.
 
The Vikings now set their sites onto the Division 2 Region 15 Tournament which begins this Saturday at Orange Community College. The third seeded Westchester will take on the second seeded Generals of SUNY Sullivan in a 12 o'clock game. Winner of that game will take on the winner of the second game of the day which will feature the fourth seeded Rockland Hawks against the number one seeded Colts of SUNY Orange.