Boys Basketball: Alumni Day at PHS

Peekskill has a great tradition of basketball. From its five state championships, to coach Lou Panzanaro’s record-breaking 531 wins (a Westchester County and Section 1 record), a two-time NBA all-star in Elton Brand and everything else in between, there are very few programs in the state that are more storied then Peekskill.

So when Peekskill has an Alumni Day, it’s going to be a special one. And it was when the Red Devils held their Third Annual Alumni Day on Jan. 29.

The day included free-throw and foul-shooting contests, plus a highly competitive game in which the blue team squeaked by in a 74-73 win.

“Alumni Day to me is special because when I look out there I see the faces when they were teenagers in high school,” Panzanaro said. “I see these grown men now 50 pounds heavier but they still have the same passion and the same desire to play the game that they had when they were still in high school. I love the competitiveness the kids in Peekskill play with no matter whether it’s an alumni game or the state championship, they approach it the same way.

“I’d like to say that they are almost born into it from the time that they start going to the canteen, the expectations are very high for those kids,” Panzanaro continued. “I think just looking at the tradition as they are younger and they are growing up, they see the success that the guys ahead of them had and they emulate that. They want to be like that. That is the tradition that keeps this type of competitive attitude going.”

One of those players that had that competitive attitude during his playing days which has carried over into his coaching career is current Peekskill girls basketball coach Rodney Headley, Jr. Headley, a 2003 Peekskill graduate, played on the Red Devil squad that went to the state finals in ’02.

“To come back on this floor and play is special,” Headley said. “As much as I am here all the time in practicing and watching my girls earn their victories, it still feels good to step on this court and play. A lot of great players played here over the years. Just to be a part of this family makes it a good feeling to step on this court again.”

The day is extra special for Headley because he is forever grateful to the founder of alumni day, Panzanaro.

“He’s a center piece of the Peekskill community, he always looks out for everybody,” Headley said. “He’s a mentor, he was influential in where I went to college [SUNY Cortland] and getting a job here in the district and now as athletic director, he’s been keeping everything together. He means a lot to this community.”

Headley said that the best memories he has of his playing days are of "that in-your-face type of defense and the camaraderie off the court we had."

“We did everything together as a team besides play basketball,” Headley said. “Everybody hung out with one another. Some of these guys I went to school with, some I didn’t but even when I was on the team the older guys that you see here today still came and helped out when they could.”

Mike Ritter, a 1980 Peekskill graduate and one of the players on the legendary “Five Fingers” squad, was happy to be back in the gym where he played his high school ball.

“It’s a beautiful thing,” Ritter said. “It’s great to be able to come back and support the school, the community and just have fun.”

Ritter said he enjoyed playing with his teammates while at Peekskill.

“Being part of the five fingers was wonderful,” Ritter said. “We had a little reunion of about a year ago. It’s just nice to think back and remember those times.”

Like Headley, Ritter is grateful for all Panzanaro has done for the program. He just wishes more people were aware of Alumni Day.

“It’s a great thing that he did to get this thing organized,” Ritter said. “However, we have to find a way to get more people involved who are alumni. You see more young alumni than you do older and I just think that if somehow all the alumni could get notified, it would be even better. Peekskill has a great history and it would be wonderful to get even more people to take part in it.”

POINT TOTALS

Red: Isaac Clark (18), Shawn James (15), Tyrone Murphy (15), Tony Murphy (12), Corey Thomas (11), Matthew Benson (2)

Blue: Anthony Hunt (19), Tyrone Welsh (16), Rodney Headley Jr. (14), Ramie Robinson (12), Mike Ritter (9), Isaiah Robinson (2), Kiki Merriweather (2)