by Doug La Rocque
A mere three weeks ago, those in the Wasaren League knew the Tamarac Boys Varsity Basketball team was good; now the entire State knows it. In a tournament in Rome, NY, the Bengals defeated what was then the top team in the whole State, Utica Academy of Science. Since then, they have also knocked off one of the perennial basketball powers in the Capital Region, the Class AA Shaker Bison. That and their continued dominance in the league has made people take notice, so much so that in the weekly ratings of all teams in the State (including parochial and New York City schools) the Bengals were labeled the best in Class B.
It’s Not Going to Their Heads
Usually when a high school or college sports team receives such accolades, the first thing a coach has to remind them is to yes, enjoy the moment, but do not let it distract you from the work ahead. Speaking with The Eastwick Press, Head Coach Eric Medved said they walked in to practice the next day telling the coach how focused they are on working even harder. He quoted his boys as telling him “It’s nice to start as number one, but we want to finish as number one.” He reminded them they “need to build for the moment,” something he says this group of young athletes has been doing since third grade.
Take It One Step at a Time
Continuing on in the post season through the sectional and state playoffs is the hope of all on the team, but there is something they have their sites on first: a Wasaren League Championship. Tamarac has gone 46 years without holding that trophy, a trend they hope to reverse this year. Despite being number one in the State, Coach Medved identifies two other league teams that stand in their way, those being the Mechanicville Red Raiders, who are only one game behind the Bengals in the league’s Southern Division and the Stillwater Warriors, who lead the Northern Division with just one loss, that coming at the hands of Tamarac.
One change from years past is that the Wasaren League is actually going to have a Championship game, one the Bengals have set their sites on. The Bengals over record at the moment is 10 wins and two losses, but those losses came at the hands of Class A schools with student populations much larger than Tamarac’s. Coach Medved says their very strong non-league schedule has helped to sharpen his players skills and build confidence.
Lots of School Pride
Of course not just the basketball team is elated. According to District Superintendent Dr. Angelina Maloney, the school buildings are bursting with Bengal Pride. Just in time too, as Friday is Wear Red Spirit Day and kicks off a weekend of Big Red Day Basketball, Wrestling Duals and the Indoor Track Invitational and Championship.
Congratulations to the Tamarac Bengals (Brittonkill/Brunswick School District). Job well done.