A Look Back: 2001 NHS Boys’ Basketball

10 years ago, Nyack High School had one of their most memorable boys’ basketball seasons. The 2001 squad, under Coach Gary Gray, went 24-3, winning a section title and a regional title before losing in the state semifinals. While they did have a few standout players, their success was mainly a team effort, with different guys stepping up on different nights. Three members of the team went on to play D-1 basketball in college, and the crew had to defeat several future D-1 players on their road to the state Final Four in Glens Falls. They had a rough 2-2 start, largely because many of the players were on the state championship football team and had barely practiced, but they were able to recover and win 22 games in a row before getting knocked out.
The ’01 Nyack squad was marked with a lot of resiliency and toughness. They had been able to reach the section title game in 2000, but couldn’t use star guard Kudjo Sogadzi, who had transferred from New Jersey, and ended up losing to Kennedy. That same Kennedy team, led by future Providence star Donnie McGrath, defeated Nyack again at the beginning of the ’01 season, which helped put Nyack in a troublesome 2-2 start. Then, the resiliency and toughness that came partially from members of the state championship football team jump started the club.
QB Ronnie King and RB/DB/K Nigel Morris were key guards, and RB Jason Alcin was a major force inside. 6’10 center James Smith was inexperienced, but definitely made his presence felt. However, the team’s leaders were Sogadzi, and forward Alvin Carter, who lived in the same home. Carter and Sogadzi both committed to D-1 Fairfield, while Smith ended up being a star center at Marist. Morris played football at Toledo.
Behind the offensive firepower of Sogadzi, who averaged over 20 points per game, a quick transition game, and stingy a defense that only allowed 43 points per game before their final loss, Nyack entered the sectional playoffs on a roll. They had won 16 in a row, and easily added blew away Byram Hills and Nanuet to earn a trip to the Westchester County Center for the sectional semifinals, and another rematch with mighty Kennedy. Nyack was the 3 seed, and Kennedy was the 2 seed, with both teams sporting a stellar 20-2 record. Both defenses were superb, resulting in a slim 37-36 Nyack lead heading into the 4th quarter. McGrath and James Gray hit huge 3-pointers to keep the Gaels in the game when the Indians jumped ahead, but a nice jumper by Morris with 1:25 proved to be the dagger, and Nyack ended up winning 50-47.
Nyack then turned in another phenomenal performance in the section final against Peekskill, and won 48-40 behind 24 points from Sogadzi. It was their first title since 1994. They were able to hold 6’10 center Hilton Armstrong, who won a national championship with UConn and is currently playing for the Wizards in the NBA, and star point guard Rashard Turner to just 14 combined points. The Indians advanced to the state playoffs, and defeated section 9’s Onteora 67-46, before beating section 4’s Chenango Valley 54-46 for the regional championship.
Nyack advance to the state semifinals in Glens Falls, where they would have to take on defending state champion Amityville from section 11, who was 23-1, and had won 23 in a row. Amityville was tall, fast, athletic, and powerful. They were led by St. John’s-bound guard Tristan Smith, and monstrous junior center Jason Fraser, who was 6’9”. Fraser was one of the top players in the country, amongst the likes of Carmelo Anthony, and was predicted to be one of the most dominating college players in the country at Villanova, but his career was derailed by led injuries. The squads had met in the state semis in 1991, where Nyack won, and advanced to the state final, where they lost by 2 in OT to Nottingham. Amityville dominated from the start this time, mainly behind Fraser. They led 17-2, and 23-9 after the first quarter behind 66 percent shooting. Nyack shot 28 percent, and had no answer for Fraser, who finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds, 6 blocks, and 4 assists. Smith had 10 points, 6 assists, and 7 steals. Nyack did put a fight in the end, crawling back late in the 4th quarter, but it was already out of hand, and Nyack lost 74-65. Sogadzi led all scorers with 23 points, and Carter finished with 12, but was shut down by Fraser in the 1st half, scoring just 1 point. Amityville went on to win this state championship, and then the next two after that, becoming the only team in state history to win 4 in a row.
Even though they couldn’t go all the way, the 2001 Nyack boys’ basketball team still accomplished a lot. They brought back league, section, and regional hardware back, and showed that they could overcome periods of doubt and frustration to accomplish their goals. They were able to get their revenge on rivals Kennedy and Peekskill, and extended the wonderful spirit in the Nyack community that had stemmed from the football team’s success. This excitement was carried on by the girl’s lacrosse team, who battled to win a 5th straight section title, and a 3rd straight regional crown.