In an electrifying season opener, Deerfield Academy’s JV boys’ basketball team clashed with Loomis Chaffee. The game started with a bang as Will Machnik drained two early three-pointers, setting the tone for a thrilling contest. Senior Max Peh added two timely three-pointers of his own, giving Deerfield an early lead. Loomis Chaffee relied on free throws to stay competitive, leading 26-21 at halftime.
However, the Pelicans extended their lead to 13 points in the second half. That’s when Deerfield’s resilience shone. Stellar defense and outstanding rebounding from Teddy Hamadeh, Mac Hynds, and Peh helped them mount a comeback. In a pivotal moment, Hamadeh grabbed an offensive rebound and fed Tyler Long, who sank a crucial three-pointer from the left wing, igniting the crowd. Senior Brady Read joined the heroics, hitting two threes from the right corner to put Deerfield in the lead. With just over a minute to play, Long drove through the line and made an exquisite pass to Hamadeh for a layup to seal the game. Deerfield went on to secure the 52-45 win with a handful of crucial pressure free throws and solid defense.
Peh led the scoring with 13 points, Machnik added 12, and Read contributed 8. This victory marks an exciting start to the season, signaling that Deerfield Academy’s JV basketball team is primed for an exhilarating journey ahead.