Booster Club Basketball Tournament: North Salem bests Pawling in first round action

North Salem High School’s varsity boys basketball team put on an impressive show for their hometown crowd Thursday night in the first round of the Booster Club Basketball Tournament. The Tigers delivered a resounding win over Pawling, 49-24.

Photo by Benjamin Allen, HudValley Photo

Freshman Max Cotrone was North Salem’s leading scorer, racking up 18 points. Andrew Viebrock and Reilly Denneen each put up 8 points. Henry Hauser was the leading scorer for Pawling, with 9 points.

Fans packed the stands inside the North Salem High School gym for the game, the Tigers’ first home game since January 4. 

Photo by Benjamin Allen, HudValley Photo

The evening’s festivities kicked off with a human ‘tunnel’ to greet the team, formed by North Salem Youth Basketball’s boys grade 3-4 players.

Freshman Max Cotrone gets a warm welcome from North Salem's Youth Basketball players before the start of Thursday's game. (Benjamin Allen / HudValley Photo)

At halftime, the Tigers led 33-11. While the teams retreated to the locker rooms, North Salem Youth Basketball teams made another appearance. Boys from the league’s 5th and 6th grade teams played a game of knockout. Joseph Vorfi was the winner.

Photo by Benjamin Allen, HudValley Photo

The Tigers face Blind Brook on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. for the tournament’s Championship game. Pawling will play Carmel in Saturday’s consolation game at 10:00 a.m.