Sam Kuhna ’13 | Staff Writer

In the first round of the Neighborhood Club basketball playoffs, the Knicks defeated the Wizards 55-43 on Saturday, Feb. 2.

Having beat the Wizards in their regular season matchup, the Knicks were confident heading into the playoffs.

“We felt good about our part of the bracket,” said C.J. Elliott ’13. “I knew when I saw the playoff bracket that we could get to the second weekend and we did.”

This matchup was chosen as a game of the week earlier in the year in which the Knicks defeated the Wizards by a score of 46-22. However, the Wizards were capable of beating anyone if they shot the ball well from deep.

The game was one sided in the first half with the Knicks taking advantage of their size and the absence of Wizard center Jack Martin ’14, to score early and often in the paint. They were able to get multiple rebounds, which led to second chance points and a 31-24 lead at the half.

But the Wizards would not go away as they started the third quarter on an 8-0 run taking a brief 32-31 lead. This offensive outburst was led by two straight three pointers from Richie Kish ’14. Kish finished with a game high 15 points and two assists. Again it was the lack of size for the Wizards, which in the end was their downfall.

“We fought hard for all four quarters,” said Wizards guard Clay Kreisler ‘14. “In the end we were outmatched in the paint.”

Coming into the game the Wizards were a three point powerhouse, but Knicks guard Josh Gall ’13 proved that his team was the true three point shooting team.

“I was really feeling that corner three today,” said Gall, who tallied 14 points. “We all played well, but there are still a lot of things we need to work on.”

The Knicks were able to hold off the Wizards, who were clearly fatigued later in the contest, and hold on for the 12 point victory.

A little over 24 hours later, the Knicks were back in action taking on the Raptors, who beat the Knicks just a few weeks ago. A quick start for Raptors guard Jack Bracci ’14 helped put them out in front with a score of 10-6.

From then on the game belonged to the Knicks. Josh Gall came up big again hitting two threes, while every player scored for the Knicks. The Raptors scored only eight points in the next three quarters combined and lost by a final score of 38-18.

“We knew our first matchup was an aberration,” said Knicks center Meade Maxwell. “Our size was going to be key again.”

The Knicks will now take on the defending champion Kings who took care of the Hawks and Cavaliers by more than ten points each.

“It’ll be a great game,” said Gall. “We ready for them.”