Finley-Blue Boys’ Basketball Compiles Winning Record
January 23, 2024
A set of four fabulous players and a deep bench carried the J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys’ basketball “blue” team to a winning record this winter against stiff competition. Flower Hill physical education teacher Tim Madden coached the squad, which was captained by eighth graders Rory McDermott and Maxwell Manu.
Finley’s school colors are blue and white, like the rest of Huntington UFSD. As such, Section XI designated one of Finley’s two boys’ basketball teams as “blue” and the other as “white.” Madden’s squad was designated as the “blue” team.
McDermott, Manu, seventh grader Jory Morgan-Page and eighth grader Brian Fuentes led Finley-Blue.
“Rory McDermott is a dominant athlete,” said Madden about the talented forward. “He averaged 20 points a game. He is an outstanding rebounder and someone who can shoot from beyond the arc and finish at the rim.”
Manu was a standout for Finley-Blue, too. “Max is an extraordinary point guard,” Madden said. “His basketball IQ is unique for this level of play. He was an excellent leader of this team. He has a great handle, can shoot very well and create offense for himself and his teammates.”
Morgan-Page excelled at forward and Fuentes shined at guard. “Jory is a player who improved exponentially in the short time he was on this team,” Madden said. “His effort level is off the charts! He plays great defense, rebounds the ball, runs the floor and is an impact player in every game. Brian Fuentes also had a great season. He is very athletic. He has the ability to shut the opponents’ best player down with his great effort on defense.”
The skilled roster also included seventh graders Oliver Frinzilas, Leif Gundersen, Kevin Harris, Steven Lapp, Finn McDermott, Jack McLaughlin, Cameron Miller and Jacob Ryder and eighth graders Emmet Cocoman, James Markotsis, Jordan Neufville-Quezada, Kayvon Pittman and Charles Rosselli.
In a year with many highlights, two games especially stood out. “We won two close games at Amityville (54-48) and Kings Park (57-54),” Madden said. “I was proud of the team effort in each of those games. We executed on offense and played good team defense.”
Finley-Blue was competitive throughout the season. The team lost some relatively close games, including one to Elwood, 55-53.
“I am proud of the collective effort this team put forth in practice and in games,” Madden said. “Each day this team grew closer together, learned the fundamentals of basketball and improved their skill level.”
