Section 1 Basketball Championships return to Westchester County Center
Beyond the wins and losses, many said it was the setting itself that stood out — the Westchester County Center, where generations of players have dreamed of cutting down the nets.
The Section 1 Basketball Championships are back at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, once again turning the historic arena into the epicenter of high school hoops in the Hudson Valley.
From the Yellow Jackets of Hastings to the Eagles of Dobbs Ferry, the Bears of Briarcliff to the Raiders of Hamilton, teams, coaches and fans packed the County Center, bringing energy and emotion to what many call the mecca of Westchester basketball.
Dobbs Ferry head coach Scott Patrillo says the moment is never lost on his players.
“We can’t assume someone’s going to do it. We gotta go do it. Everybody’s gotta be open,” Patrillo said.
He also praised the atmosphere inside the arena.
“The ribbons, the lights, it just gets better year after year after year. I mean, Westchester loves basketball. Westchester is basketball. And this is the home of basketball in Westchester.”
In the first semifinal matchup, the Dobbs Ferry Eagles held off the Hastings Yellow Jackets in a hard‑fought Rivertowns rivalry game. Dobbs Ferry’s Anthony Ficarrota credited his team’s experience for the win.
“I think we’re a veteran team, and we stayed composed when stuff got hard. And we came out with a win today. And in the playoffs, it’s win or go home. That’s all that matters,” he said.
Later, the Hamilton Raiders girls team outlasted the Briarcliff Bears in a physical, tightly contested battle.
Christina Harper, whose daughter Gabrielle plays for the Raiders, said simply reaching the County Center is a victory in itself.
“All of the Raiders, everyone who made it here today — even Briarcliff — just from being able to get to the County Center is an amazing victory,” she said.
Beyond the wins and losses, many said it was the setting itself that stood out — the Westchester County Center, where generations of players have dreamed of cutting down the nets.
“I’ve watched all of them grow up. So to be here again means everything,” said Tiffany Woodbury, whose son Aaron competed in the tournament.
For some teams, the season continues. For others, it ends here. But for every player who stepped onto that court, the memories made inside the County Center will last a lifetime.
The championship games continue throughout the week.
