Red Devil Report

Boys’ Basketball

The Peekskill Varsity Boys Basketball team is officially back in business.

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the Red Devils played Lakeland in their first home game of the season. Both teams came into this match hungry for a win. Although Peekskill entered as the favorites, the boys were coming off a season opening defeat to Tappan Zee, while Lakeland was hoping to extend their season record to three wins. 

During gameplay, the Peekskill boys put on a dominating display for fans in attendance. Seniors Isaiah Crawford and Jaden Chavis led the Peekskill boys to victory, scoring 25 and 20 points respectively. The final score of the game was Peekskill 64-32 Lakeland.

The Peekskill boys currently hold a record of one win and one loss. Their next hurdle will be Walter Panas on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Walter Panas High School at 4:30 p.m. The Red Devils will also face Barack Obama School for Social Justice on Thursday, Dec. 19, at home at 6:15 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball

Following a week of mixed results, the Peekskill Varsity Girls Basketball team will be in search of consistency. 

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the Red Devils were defeated away from home, 35-22, by Nanuet. In this game, Amari Murphy led the Peekskill girls in points with 12.

The Peekskill girls then played Yonkers CSEE on Thursday, Dec. 12, in their opening game of the Elmsford Classic Tournament at Alexander Hamilton High School. The tight clash ended in a loss for the Peekskill girls. The final scoreboard read, Yonkers CSEE 42-41 Peekskill. Amari Murphy was Peekskill’s top scorer for this game, with 20 points. Trailing her was Jealina Searight with 10. 

On Saturday, Dec. 14, Peekskill played Montfort Academy in a consolation game for the Elmsford Classic Tournament. The Peekskill girls easily strolled past Montfort Academy, beating them 56-36. Amari Murphy shone once again for the Peekskill girls in this game with an impressive 26 points, nine rebounds, and five steals. Seventh grader Riley Jenkins scored 12 points in this match for Peekskill. 

The Peekskill girls currently hold an overall record of two wins and three losses. Upcoming games for the girls include Yonkers on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Yonkers High School at 5:30 p.m. and Riverside on Thursday, Dec. 19 at home at 4:30 p.m.

Boys’ Swimming

Two wins in two games – the Peekskill Varsity Boys Swim team have started their season off with a bang.

The team, which is led by head coach Alana Donabie and assistant coach Nikki Brady, is competing this season as a merged team, alongside Hendrick Hudson and Haldane. The 22-person roster includes one Hen Hud swimmer and two Haldane swimmers.

In their season opener, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, Peekskill narrowly beat Mount Vernon-Tuckahoe, 84-83. Coach Alana Donabie credits sophomore swimmer Elvis Merchan with helping the Red Devils scrape this victory. She says Merchan stepped up in the last minute of the 100 yard backstroke, getting fourth place and giving the team a much needed point.

Following this victory, the Peekskill boys faced Poughkeepsie on Friday, Dec. 13, for their first home meet of the season. Peekskill overcame Poughkeepsie, 89-79.

Peekskill’s merged swim team will have a jam-packed schedule next week. They face Tappan Zee on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Tappan Zee High School at 5:30 p.m. Then, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, Peekskill will go up against Lakeland-Panas-Putnam Valley at home at 4:30 p.m. Finally, the Red Devils will face Nyack on Friday, Dec. 20 at home at 4:30 p.m.

Wrestling

It was a tough week for Peekskill’s Varsity Wrestling team. 

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, Peekskill fell to Ardsley, 48-20. Tony Monchinski at 152 lbs (pin at 1:02), Stephen Cordero at 160 lbs (major decision; 9-0), Rocco D’Elia at 215 lbs (major decision; 13-5), Raul Segarra at 285 lbs (pin at 1:26), all scored for the Red Devils. 

Then on Friday, Dec. 13, Peekskill lost to Mount Vernon, 46-15, in a Section 1 division 1 dual meet tournament outbracket match. Tony Monchinski at 152 lbs (pin at 3:30), Stephen Cordero at 160 lbs (won by forfeit), Tommaso Sodano at 170 lbs (decision; 9-3), all scored for the Red Devils 

Over the weekend, Peekskill participated in the Nyack Red & Black Duals at Nyack High School. In that tournament, Peekskill fell to Harrison (48-18) , Mount Vernon (50-6), Croton-Harmon (48-16), Nyack (63-9), and Ketcham (54-16), but beat Albertus Magnus (30-24). 

Against Albertus Magnus, Matthew Duran at 145 lbs (won by forfeit), Tony Monchinski at 152 lbs (won by forfeit), Stephen Cordero at 160 lbs (pin at 1:33), Rocco D’Elia at 215 lbs (pin at 0:20), George Vasquez at 285 lbs (pin at 0:43), all scored for the Red Devils.

Sophomore wrestler Stephen Cordero was selected for December’s “Athlete of the Month” by the Peekskill City School District.

The Peekskill Varsity Wrestling team will face Port Chester on Friday, Dec. 20 at Port Chester High School at 3 p.m. for their next dual match. The team will also compete in the 2024 Carlucci Duals on Saturday, Dec. 21 at Port Chester High School. 

Winter Track

Soccer star Valeria Otavalo is proving to be just as strong on a track field as she is on a soccer field.

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, Otavalo got first place in the 1,500 meter race with a time of 5:35.70 at a meet held at Rockland Community College. The sophomore’s first place finish in the 1,500 meter race is an improvement on her season opening third place finish at the ‘Big Chill’ invitational.

Peekskill’s Winter Track & Field team will compete in the annual Pearl River Holiday Track & Field Festival at Rockland Community College for their next competition. The event will take place on Friday, Dec. 27 at 8:30 a.m.

Bowling

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the Peekskill Varsity Bowling team fell to Lakeland High School, with both the boys and girls losing by a score of 7-0.

The following day, on Thursday, Dec. 12, the Red Devil boys were able to rebound with a 5-2 win over Somers. The Peekskill girls were awarded a bye (automatic win) for this match, according to head coach Anthony Turner. 

In other news, junior bowler Odali Alfaro was selected for December’s “Athlete of the Month” by the Peekskill City School District.

Upcoming matches for the Peekskill Varsity Bowling team include Briarcliff on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 3:30 p.m. and Ossining On Thursday, Dec. 19 at 3:30 p.m. Both games will be played at Cortlandt Lanes. 

Dance

Mark you calendars because Peekskill High School’s dance team is going to the County Center! 

On Dec. 27, the dance team will perform at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY, during halftime of the Westchester Knicks vs Motor City Cruise basketball game. 

If you wish to support the dance team, tickets and more information is available here.

All photos courtesy of Peekskill City School District