McCaffrey’s Musings
By - Tim McCaffrey
What a doubleheader I had the privilege of witnessing in Rockland County when Daemen visited Saint Thomas Aquinas. For details on the men’s tilt, check out Chris Granozio’s column here: https://www.d2easthoops.org/men/features/Around_The_Rim/AROUND_THE_RIM_-_12-10-22
I will discuss that game briefly from a different angle in a moment, but the women’s side tips things off. Bill Cleary’s Spartans made a statement against Daemen for the second time in as many games in 2022 with a 66-65 overtime triumph. The Wildcats are 23-3 in the calendar year, with the other loss in the 2022 East Region Final to Pace. Jenepher Banker’s brigade avenged that defeat in its next game as the unit upended the Setters in what turned into quite the long back to back (March 14 to November 11). However, the rematch with the Spartans in Sparkill became the ‘Cats first road/neutral ECC loss since a dropped affair at New York Tech on March 1, 2020. Credit to Banker and Company on 14 consecutive wins outside of Amherst. The Wildcats uncharacteristically beat themselves at the free throw line (1-6 OT, 6-17 overall). Circle February 17, 2023 on the calendar. That is when these two teams meet in Western New York for what could potentially be another classic.
Speaking of New York Tech, that would be the second to last game it would play at home, ever, and the final regular season game in school history. No disrespect to Gabby McDuffie of Daemen who dons #1, but it’s a little soon for anyone to be wearing Tiara Filbert’s jersey. I don’t see anyone wearing Andrew Sischo’s #22 in the season after he graduated and deservedly so! Filbert was the heart and soul of Daemen’s rise to glory and someday her number deserves to be hung from the rafters next to Sischo!
I referenced the men’s game earlier, and if you clicked on the link above you know all about that one. Kudos to the officiating crew of Dennis Allocco, Martin Herrick and Jason Stallworth. The trio let the game breathe and made sure the game was decided by the players. When I first started writing the Musings, I would reference Daemen and it would autocorrect to demon. Well that demon has apparently infected Mike MacDonald’s team in the closing minutes of games. Any squad that can go into the Toll Booth and be leading by double figures with 3:28 remaining CLEARLY has what it takes to win, but the group has had trouble closing games. There must be no lookin’ back for McDonald. Every season, there is that one team that NOBODY wants to play, but can’t seem to hit its stride.
Lastly, this column has afforded me the freedom of saying what is on my mind. Now, if you’d be kind enough to allow me to pay tribute to someone that likely nobody reading this knew!
I ran into Bob Dickinson what seems like a lifetime ago in South Jersey when we crossed paths for work reasons. Over the years, we remained in contact on Facebook. Bob was unassuming, inquisitive, intelligent, and kind. Our communication consisted of a rare phone call, but mostly he would make a funny remark about a picture I posted or tell me a joke that would be hilariously funny. Bob never took himself seriously and was happy with a cigar and adult beverage. Oftentimes he’d lounge by the pool and listen to his beloved Mets on the radio. Bob and I were on opposite sides of lots of issues, but our love of New Jersey was one of several common bonds. A few years back, I told him about this movie that actually mentioned NJ legend Uncle Floyd. The title of the film starring Adam Driver was called, ‘Paterson’. Bob responded, "A movie about the first intercontinental champion! Sweet!” That was a reference to Pat Patterson of old-school wrestling lore. Always irreverent. His humor in his FB post was seen by only a few and that was ok for Bob. He wasn’t seeking fame or fortune, and he lived being a good person. Bob messaged me five days before he passed, telling me a joke. He told me he was in the hospital and he had colon cancer and it was treatable with chemo. Five days later he was gone and as usual he said goodbye in a way that was totally Bob. The last thing he posted on FB was “Hey guys, go get a colonoscopy. Trust me.” It is hard knowing who will have an impact on your life, but undoubtedly the goodbyes you DON’T say are the toughest. He was 58.
Next week, we’ll be a day late (Tuesday) so we can sum up all the action before the break. The tremendous 12 rankings will be revealed and we’ll have a much better idea of the contenders, pretenders and the offenders! Have a great week!!
A gentle reminder that for continued free musings: https://www.patreon.com/D2easthoops