The Boys Basketball team suffered a narrow 54-53 loss to Parsippany High School on Senior Night, Thursday, Jan. 30, bringing the season record to 6-13.
Before tipoff, seniors Zack Allen, Jack Smith, Darren Laqui, Max Ezra, captain Phillip Zamloot and team manager Huck Schrader were honored alongside their families.
“It was a mix of emotions,” Ezra said. “Even though it was sad knowing a huge chapter in my life is ending, it was surreal and exciting because I’ve spent the last four years with a great group of guys who are now family.”
During the game, the Rams quickly fell behind by 12 points, but Zamloot ignited a comeback with a three-pointer. Smith’s tone-setting block and three-point contributions from juniors Tristan Durkin and Ryan Warner helped cut the deficit to two points.
Durkin played a pivotal role, leading the team with 12 points and three steals. The Rams tied the game at 18-18 before the end of the first quarter after Warner’s steal led to a Durkin layup.
Sophomore Zayne Carswell energized the crowd with a physical layup that extended Randolph’s lead to 25-22. The Rams maintained their advantage with three-pointers from Zamloot and Durkin. Junior Jack Leonard’s drawn charge set up a key play for sophomore Andrei Nitulescu, ending the second quarter with Randolph ahead 34-31.
The Rams started strong in the third quarter, with Nitulescu assisting Zamloot for an easy layup. Smith then powered through for another layup, pushing the lead to 41-35. However, Parsippany regained momentum, reclaiming the lead at 45-41.
The fourth quarter was a nail-biter. Nitulescu’s clutch layup brought the Rams within one point at 54-53, but they were unable to score again.
“Definitely not the outcome we were looking for, but that motivates us to work harder and clean up mistakes for future games,” Durkin said.
The Rams bounced back with a 54-44 victory over Parsippany Hills in the Morris County Tournament (MCT), preliminary round. They face Delbarton next, in the MCT first round on Thursday, Feb. 6.
