Coming into Sunday’s Class AAA title game, New Rochelle’s recent history in championship tilts had been somewhat tortured. But with a dominant performance against a scrappy North Rockland squad, the Huguenots were able to put those demons out to pasture.
On March 9, New Rochelle capture its first Gold Ball since 2013, beating the Red Raiders 53-42 to add some well-deserved hardware to the school’s trophy case.
The Huguenots were steady throughout, buoyed by a gutsy performance from tournament MVP Malik Gasper, who tallied a game-high 16 points on the day. Bryce Seward came off the bench to chip in 14 of his own, while Justin Cohen and Izaiah Augustine notched six apiece.
Gasper—who was a key contributor on the Huguenot team that fell to Mount Vernon in the 2024 title game—Gasper said that finally winning a title—especially given last year’s heartbreaking loss in the finals—was a moment that speaks to the drive and confidence that the Huguenots had throughout the year.
“This feels so great, after three years of trying over and over again, to finally achieve it this year with a group of guys I’ve been playing with since we were six-or-seven years old, it’s just unbelievable,” said Gasper. “It’s great to be able to finish it out with these guys and win the Gold Ball.”
Huguenots’ Head coach Rasuan Young said it was clear to anyone watching the game just how much this win meant to Gasper when the 6-foot-8 forward dove to secure a loose ball with just three minutes left in a game that New Rochelle already had well in hand.
“I think that shows just how much he wanted this one,” said Young. “You don’t generally see Malik diving for a ball in a situation like that, but he was determined.”
Just three days later, Gasper and the Huguenots would keep the season alive, topping Corning-Painted Post in the NY State tournament in Wednesday afternoon game at Yorktown High School. Gasper shined once again, leading New Rochelle to a 64-51 win over the Section 4 champions.
New Rochelle will be back in action in the regional finals on Friday, March 14, when they take on Newburgh at Monroe-Woodbury High School. The winner of Friday’s game will earn a spot in the NYSPHSAA Class AAA semifinals on March 20 at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton.
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