Forget Tobacco Road, this is Clinton Street.
That’s what Packer Collegiate coach George Boutis was left saying after the latest backyard brawl between the Pelics and St. Ann’s.
Second-seeded Packer defeated No. 3 St. Ann’s 52-49, in the NYSAISAA Class C semifinals Friday night in Brooklyn, extending its winning streak to 21 games.
The teams are separated by merely three blocks, approximately two minutes from door to door, so the term “rivalry” is almost an understatement.
“It’s a huge rivalry,” St. Ann’s coach Quincy Vance said. “It’s fun to be around, and incredible to coach in. There’s usually a fight or two, so the kids tell you all you need to know.”
In front of a packed house at the tiny Packer Collegiate gym, standing room was at the minimum, with fans hovering over the court. It had all the feel of a matchup between Duke and North Carolina, the Tobacco Road rivalry, which Boutis referred to, only on a much smaller stage.
St. Ann’s came out swinging, knocking Packer back on its heels. St. Ann’s would open the game up with a 17-4 lead six minutes into the first, behind the play of senior center Jake Nidenberg. The big man scored nine points in the frame and finished with 20 overall.
Packer’s slow start could be attributed to an injury its leading scorer Ethan Feldman sustained in the last game against Trevor Day.
“I wasn’t feeling alright until midway through the first,” Feldman said. “I had a swollen toe, so I couldn’t get into a rhythm early.”
Once Feldman found his rhythm, he would carry Packer. The sophomore went on his own 9-0 run to start the second quarter to cut the St. Ann’s lead to 20-18 with 5:28 left to play in the second. Feldman had 24 points, 12 of which came in that second quarter.
“When they jumped out to that early lead, I thought it might have been St. Ann’s day,” Boutis said. “I shouldn’t be surprised that we came back to get this game, my guys have been doing it all year. It’s really just something else.”
In the third quarter, Packer came out with fight that St. Ann’s couldn’t match. It started with Packer’s senior forward Nick Morton who Boutis coined the “emotional leader” of the team. Despite giving up size to the 6-foot-6 Nidenberg, Morton never backed down from the big man, tangling and exchanging shoves while falling to the court.
“We just have more heart, fight and will than anyone else,” Morton said. “Nidenberg and I are friends off the court, but sometimes you just can’t help it. From tip to the buzzer, I’m going at him.”
After Morton and Nidenberg’s tussle, the game was within striking distance, and Packer took control.
With 5:49 left in the third quarter and Packer still down 36-30, they found another run within them. They would go on a 14-1 spurt to finish out the quarter, with Feldman hitting two big 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions. Packer would head into the fourth up 44-37.
The Pelicans would maintain their lead throughout the final quarter, despite St. Ann’s best effort. St. Ann’s had the chance to tie the game at the end, but senior Willis Cohen air-balled a 3-point attempt.
Once the shot went long, and the buzzer sounded, Packer celebrated its win with fans rushing the court.
“This is turning out to be one of those seasons where everything clicks,” Boutis said. “I’m just trying to sit back and enjoy it with my guys.”
Packer (25-3) will now move on to the championship game, where it will face top-seeded. Rye Country Day School on Sunday at Fieldston at 11 a.m.
“Once again we’ll be the underdog,” Boutis said, “but we’ve thrived in that role all season, so we’re going to go out there looking to finish the deal.”
Added Feldman: “I don’t know much about Rye Country, but I know we’re going to be looking for number 22 straight.”
