Heading into the the program’s first-ever state playoff contest on March 8, the the Tuckahoe Tigers knew they would be facing a stiff test in a powerful Millbrook team from Section IX. With a unique blend of skill and physicality, the Blazers more-than-lived up to their advance billing, topping Tuckahoe 65-28 to put an end to the Tigers’ dream season. Despite the loss, however, Tuckahoe head coach Andrew Colasuonno believes that his players demonstrated the same toughness that carried the team to its finest season in history. 

Millbrook grabbed control of the game from the outset, dominating in the paint and from behind the arc as they went on a 21-point second-quarter tear to establish a 31-9 halftime lead. According to Colasuonno, Millbrook’s versatility was simply too much for the Section I champions to contend with.

“We knew this was going to be our toughest matchup of the season; that combination of size and the ability to knock down a three-ball and run the ball in transition is very unique and it’s something like we haven’t faced this year,” he said.  “We’re not used to being the undersized team so it was a huge adjustment for us, but our girls rose to the challenge.”

That resilience was evident in the second half, as Tuckahoe—led by Angelina Mazzuoccolo’s nine points—began to settle into a rhythm on the offensive end. Although it wouldn’t be enough to significantly cut into the Blazer’s lead, Colasuonno thinks that his team’s play in the second half was a testament to the group’s grit. 

“I told them at halftime that no matter what happened, they didn’t want to have any regrets; they didn’t want to look back and say ‘I coulda, shoulda, woulda’,” he explained. “They came out and battled to the end.”

With the win, Millbrook advanced to the regional finals where they continued their dominance, topping Section VII champ Carle Place 51-43 to earn a spot in the Class C Final Four. Tuckahoe finished the season with a sterling 16-4 record and capture the first Section I championship in the program’s history. They will graduate two senior starters in Irene Maris and Olivia Mondrone, and Colasuonno noted that the impact the duo has had on the program can not be overstated. 

“I told my girls that they’ve had the most heart of any team I’ve ever coached, and for me and my assistant [Alex Bonci], it’s been the most enjoyable season we’ve ever had,” he said. “Hopefully they take away all the hard work, all the life lessons that hopefully they’ve learned through the process of playing high school sports.”

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