Webutuck senior basketballers honor coach

AMENIA — Webutuck’s Senior Night game against S.S. Seward Institute on Friday, Feb. 7, was one of the squad’s best performances on the court.

The night eventually came to a close with a Seward win of 46-39.

The five seniors on the varsity squad — Nakai Riddle, no. 4; Troy Brazee, no. 14; Nate Brizzie, no. 23; Luis Cabrera, no. 30; and Eric Golden, no. 35 — flipped the script on senior night. After they received their flowers, they presented coach Shawn Howard with a plaque honoring him for his dedication to basketball and players in Webutuck High School and Amenia at large.

After the tribute, the game got off to a hot start with Webutuck winning the tip. The five seniors comprised the starting lineup. They led Webutuck through a gripping first half against Seward that ended with the Wildcats down by just three points at halftime.

Webutuck's Nate Brizzie, no. 23, going for a layup in the senior night matchup against S.S. Seward Institute on Friday, Feb. 7 at Webutuck High School.Photo by Nathan Miller

The Wildcats’ sure footing continued into the second half. Cabrera found his place at the three-point line, scoring one of Webutuck’s two three-pointers that night. The other also came in the third quarter from Zack Hood, no. 3.

By the end of the third quarter, the Wildcats were leading Seward 34-30, but that lead wouldn’t last. A hot streak from Seward’s Grey Whitmore, no. 12, and free throws in the final minutes pushed Seward’s score up and over the Wildcats.