In a gritty road matchup against Westminster, the shorthanded Deerfield JV Boys Basketball team rose to the occasion, securing a 40-35 victory in Simsbury, CT. With just 10 players making the trip, the Doors showcased teamwork, poise, and determination.
Deerfield came out hot against Westminster’s 3-2 zone, moving the ball quickly around the perimeter. Michael Hioe ’27 found Will Machnik ’26 at the foul line, who buried an early three-pointer. Moments later, Machnik returned the favor, dishing to Marty Rodriguez Pastor ’28 for a fast-break layup to take an early 5-0 lead.
Jay Rich ’27 added flair with a beautiful assist to Nosa Idehen ’27, who nailed a corner three to push the lead to 14-9. Deerfield continued to build momentum, with Machnik scoring on another layup and Hioe chipping in a free throw after an impressive offensive rebound. Carter Schloat ’28 swished a smooth three-pointer from the top of the key to cap off a strong first half, giving the Doors a 29-19 halftime advantage.
In the second half, Westminster fought back, narrowing the gap. Michael Hioe ’27 responded with a beautiful floater off the glass to extend the lead to 35-24. Marty Rodriguez Pastor ’28 grabbed a key rebound and found Schloat for his fourth three-pointer, making it 38-24. As time wound down, Machnik attacked the zone, drew multiple defenders and set up Sam Peake ’28 for a strong, contested layup from the short corner, sealing the win despite a late 8-0 Westminster run in the final minutes.
Mac Hynds ’26 and JJ Kicza ’28 anchored the team with strong post defense and ferocious rebounding, while Jay Rich ’27, Peter Lakey ’28, and Peake provided steady wing play. Hioe and Rodriguez Pastor created havoc on defense with timely steals and deflections.
Standout Performances:
Will Machnik ’26: 20 points, strong ball-handling
Carter Schloat ’28: 12 points, on 4/4 shooting from the three-point line
After the game, the team celebrated with delicious pizza from Fresh Mozzarella Pizza, where they chatted with the Jordanian restaurant owners, saying “shukran” for the “zaki” pizza. The win reflects the squad’s resilience and teamwork, setting a strong tone for the season ahead.