Forward Max McCarthy helped lead the J. Taylor Finley Middle School eighth grade boys’ basketball team to a successful season this winter.
McCarthy averaged 17.7 points for the Falcons, who were coached by Finley physical education teacher Timothy Madden. Forward Kevin Drake (7.4 points per game) and point guard Aidan McNulty (4.3 ppg) also shined along with a talented cast of teammates.
“Max McCarthy is a dominant athlete,” Madden said. “He thrives in highly competitive situations. Kevin Drake is a highly skilled and consistent player with a great work ethic and is a natural leader. Aidan McNulty is a true competitor. Our success had a lot to do with Aidan. He plays tough and his effort and will to win is unmatched.”
The highlight of the season came during a home game against visiting Deer Park. “I quickly realized that Deer Park was a very good team and that we had to play extremely well to win,” Madden recalled. “In this game, everything we had been working so hard in practice on all came together. We use the word ‘Together’ when we break at the end of practice, before games and after timeouts. On this day and throughout the season, I was very proud of how we practiced what we preached and went on to win this game. The boys played great team defense and unselfish offense. This particular game was the best I have ever seen a middle school basketball team play.”
Finley’s players and its coach closed out the winter campaign feeling good about everything the squad was able to accomplish. The Falcons’ roster also featured Quincy Chery, John Chirico, Finnbar Cocoman, Elias Frazier, Charles Girimonti, Harrison Krywak, Amari Lowe, Christopher Maichin, John Marziliano, Ryan Porzio, Joseph Sclafani, Teddy Tiliakos, Walter Vohs IV and Shane Walsh.
“I was very impressed with this team’s effort, unselfishness and basketball intelligence,” Madden said. “I was happy how each athlete improved from the first day until the last. This team was physically and mentally tough. The boys were complimented by several coaches in our league for how hard they play. I am proud to have coached a group of great athletes, and better than that a group a great young men who I think will be highly successful people.”