I try to think of a game story as a blank canvas that must be painted with the best picture that describes the event that just took place. I’ve always tried to use vivid descriptions in my writing, and especially with game stories, as to give the reader a better feel for what actually happened. Here are some examples of what I feel best embody my style of writing for a game story:
10.06.16
In battle of undefeated teams, Nyack sweeps Tappan Zee
“We have grit, man, we really do. I’ve been really blessed.”
Two undefeated teams walked into Nyack High School on Oct. 6, 2016. One walked out. Nyack and Tappan Zee were two of the four remaining unbeaten teams in the section at the time of the match, and are league opponents.
09.30.16
Panas gets even with rival Lakeland in 18-6 win
“I can’t wait to go see (Lakeland) and tell them, ‘We beat you guys.’”
Panas and Lakeland, two schools that share a district and more than half of their high school athletic teams, squared off on a rainy September night.
09.22.16
Eastchester grinds out five-set win over rival Harrison
“These are things that these girls have been trained to do. This isn’t like an overnight thing.”
Eastchester won the last two sets against Harrison to pull out an exhausting five-set win road win against its league foe.
09.16.16
Guida’s eight TDs wills Brewster to remarkable 56-49 win
“I don’t think they charged admission, but it was worth it if they did.”
Behind quarterback Jack Guida’s six rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns, Brewster overcame an 18-point second-half deficit to top Hen Hud on the road.
05.28.16
North Rockland falls to John Jay-East Fishkill in ‘AA’ section final
“As a coach, they put their kids in your hands. What can we do to better improve as a team and improve their daughters as individuals? A lot of these guys, I’ve known for years. I’ve coached their other kids in years past … you know them for so long, it’s almost like they’re family.”
North Rockland, the top-ranked softball team in the state, lost to John Jay-East Fishkill in the Section 1 Class AA on its own home field. The Red Raiders had set a preseason goal of winning a state championship.
05.28.16
Pearl River wins thrilling third straight ‘A’ title
“I will live and die with anyone in a PR Lady Pirates jersey.”
Pearl River carried a no-hitter into the final inning of the Section 1 Class A softball championship before top-seeded Lakeland tied it up and forced extra innings. The Pirates eventually won in nine innings, behind a stellar performance from junior starting pitcher Emily Turilli.
05.25.16
Hen Hud ‘cursed’ by Pearl River again in ‘A’ semifinal
“Weird stuff starts to happen when we play Pearl River.”
Six years after a freak play cost Hendrick Hudson a Section 1 softball title against Pearl River, an odd play at the plate led to the Sailors’ demise against the Pirates. Emotions ran high as one Hen Hud coach was ejected and its other coaches were on the brink of being tossed.
03.12.16
Ossining wins unprecedented fourth straight ‘AA’ state title
“I knew something was on our side when that went down.”
Ossining became the first Class AA girls basketball team to win four consecutive New York State Public High School Athletic Association championships after defeating Shenendehowa in a thrilling 69-66 final.
02.29.16
Halpin, Irvington out-duel Hyman, Woodlands in ‘B’ final
“At one point at halftime, I told them that there were going to be a lot of things in life that they were going to face that would be a lot harder than a basketball game — that they were going to need to have strength to face those things in life, whether it be a sick child, a war, or disease, or something like that. This is a game, so just fight as hard as you can, because you can win this.”
Irvington junior Lindsay Halpin and Woodlands freshman Teisha Hyman put on a show for the ages in the Section 1 Class B final at the Westchester County Center, going off for 45 and 42 points, respectively.
11.22.15
Haldane falls in near-repeat of state final
“It’s crazy.”
For the second straight year, Haldane volleyball led 24-22 in the deciding fifth set of the Class D state final against Portville before dropping the game, 26-24.
11.04.15
Yorktown sweeps John Jay in finals rematch
“I seriously felt like every obstacle was against us,” Yorktown head coach Katy Sherwood said, running off a list of injuries and illnesses to the Huskers. “You have to embrace adversity. You just have to if you want to win.”
One year after losing to John Jay in a heart-pounding section final, Yorktown volleyball swept the Indians on the road to secure a third straight finals berth.
11.16.14
Suffern wins unprecedented Class AA state title
“They were on a mission, from the moment they got here.”
Suffern became the first Section 1 team to win a Class AA state volleyball title in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. Since the Mounties had used the ‘High School Musical’ chant, “What team?” throughout the season, I thought it would only be fitting to sneak in various HSM references into the most meaningful game story in the program’s history. Happy hunting.
Mike Zacchio 