Boys Basketball

Peekskill suffered another loss to Horace Greeley on Jan. 28, falling 79-57 at home.

The opening quarter was competitive early, with both teams trading baskets to start. After Horace Greeley’s Jake Sheehy scored a reverse layup to make it 4-2, Peekskill’s Joseph Walker answered by knocking down two free throws to tie the game. The back-and-forth continued as Darius Smythe sprinted the floor for a layup to knot the score at 6-6 midway through the quarter.

Greeley began to assert control late in the period, capitalizing on fast breaks and defensive miscues. Luca Polizzi drained a three, and Horace closed the quarter on a strong run to take a 19-10 lead.

Horace Greeley carried that momentum into the second quarter, repeatedly punishing Peekskill turnovers with transition baskets. Sheehy was especially effective, using his strength and footwork to score in traffic. Despite strong efforts from Smythe, Walker, and Titus Matthias, Greeley’s pace and ball movement proved difficult to contain. Peekskill trimmed the deficit late in the half, but Horace still entered the break with a 37-31 advantage.

Peekskill showed fight to open the third quarter, as Smythe knocked down a three to cut the deficit to three. However, Greeley responded immediately behind Sheehy and Jaxson Thomas, who combined for multiple baskets during a decisive stretch. Horace closed the third quarter with a commanding 56-42 lead.

The fourth quarter followed a similar script. Greeley continued to push the tempo, scoring repeatedly in transition and off turnovers. Peekskill found offense from Smythe, Walker, and AJ Jenkins, but the margin proved too large to overcome. Horace Greeley sealed the 79-57 victory.

Smythe led Peekskill with 18 points, while Jenkins finished with nine. Walker, Matthias, and Jah Williams each added eight. Sheehy scored a game-high 34 points for Greeley, with Thomas contributing 18.

Peekskill hit the road two days later to face Yorktown (12-0 at the time), falling 71-51. Walker scored 18 points in the loss, while Smythe added 15.

The Red Devils returned home on Feb. 2 and earned a much-needed confidence boost with a hard-fought 59-55 victory over Putnam Valley.

Peekskill set the tone early, overcoming an initial deficit behind Smythe’s aggressive play and Walker’s steady ball control. After Putnam Valley briefly regained the lead midway through the first quarter, Peekskill responded with a 10-2 run highlighted by a Smythe three and an and-one from Walker to take a 19-15 lead at the end of the period.

Peekskill extended its advantage in the second quarter with strong transition offense and rebounding. Jah Williams finished multiple fast breaks, while Smythe continued to attack the rim. Despite Putnam Valley cutting the deficit late, Peekskill carried a 35-31 lead into halftime.

The third quarter saw Peekskill maintain control, sparked by Smythe and Walker’s chemistry in transition. Titus Matthias added a corner three, and Peekskill pushed its lead to as many as 13. Putnam Valley trimmed the margin late, but Peekskill still held a 49-38 advantage entering the final period.

Putnam Valley made a furious push in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to just one point in the final seconds. Peekskill head coach Tyrone Searight was animated on the sideline, urging his team to stay composed. Down the stretch, Peekskill delivered at the free-throw line, with Matthias knocking down two late free throw shots to seal the 59-55 win. Smythe led all scorers with 22 points, while Williams added 15.

Peekskill (3-9) will next travel to Mahopac on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 6:30 p.m., followed by a road game at Walter Panas on Friday, Feb. 6, at 4:30 p.m. The Red Devils will then host White Plains on Saturday, Feb. 7, as part of the district’s Black History Month basketball showcase event. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.

Girls Basketball

A scheduled game against Keio Academy was canceled on Jan. 27 due to snow.

The Red Devils (5-7) will return to action following a 12-day layoff on Wednesday, Feb. 4, when they host Poughkeepsie at 4:45 p.m. Peekskill will also welcome East Ramapo on Friday, Feb. 6, as part of the district’s Black History Month basketball showcase event. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.

Wrestling

Juan Naranjo (150 pounds), Wilfredo Linares (165), and Elijah McKenzie (175) earned victories by fall in Peekskill’s 44-32 dual meet loss to Nyack on Jan. 29. Also recording wins were Joan Cruz (138) by an 11-7 decision, Yamliel Casiano (144) by a 20-5 technical fall, and George Vazquez (285) via the injury time rule.

On Jan. 30, Peekskill’s female wrestlers competed in the 2026 Nyack Girls Wrestling Freestyle Tournament. Sophomore Arianna Jones placed sixth at 126 pounds, freshman Milan Smith finished fourth at 165 pounds, and Jachely Fernandez placed sixth at 185 pounds.

On the same day at Peekskill Middle School, the Red Devils’ varsity team fell 56-21 to Ossining. Prior to the meet, Peekskill honored its seniors on Senior Night. Victories for Peekskill came from Linares (165), Darnell Hinton (190), and Rocco D’Elia (215), all by fall. Naranjo added an 18-12 decision at 150 pounds.

Peekskill competed in the Mahopac Memorial Tournament on Jan. 31, finishing 11th out of 22 teams with 67.5 points. Naranjo placed fifth at 150 pounds, Casiano finished sixth at 144, Cruz placed eighth at 138, Linares finished eighth at 165, Hinton placed sixth at 190, and Joel Nieves finished sixth at 215.

Up next, Peekskill will compete in the sectional championships this weekend at the Westchester County Center.

Boys Swimming

Peekskill wrapped up the 2025-26 season at the Section 1, League 2 championship meet on Jan. 31 at Mark Twain Pool in Yonkers. The Red Devils finished 11th out of 14 teams and recorded 14 personal-best swims.

In the 200 freestyle, Gael Toapanta placed 24th with a personal-best time of 2:36.63, while Justin Vizhnay finished 27th in a personal-best 2:42.78. Alex Velasco finished 20th in the 50 freestyle with a personal-best time of 27.98. Erick Morocho placed 22nd (28.42), and Anthony Arias finished 30th (30.64).

Toapanta added another personal best in the 100 freestyle, finishing 27th in 1:09.33, while Vizhnay followed closely in 28th with a personal-best time of 1:10.43. Arias placed 32nd in 1:15.59. Velasco also earned a personal best in the 500 freestyle, finishing 16th in 6:53.54.

First-year head coach Miranda Mattiace and her varsity swim team held their final dual meet on Jan. 23. The Red Devils finished the season with a 1-8 record.

Bowling

Peekskill’s girls bowling team defeated Briarcliff 5-2 on Jan. 28, led by Odali Alfaro, who posted a 400 series (137, 129, 134). Kim Alfaro also contributed with a 352 series.

Despite being short-handed, the boys bowling team fell 5-2 to Briarcliff. Dillon Sniffen led Peekskill with a 504 series, highlighted by a high game of 191, while Aiden Santiago added a 323 series.

The girls currently hold a 5-5 record on the season, while the boys stand at 2-10.

College Watch

Track & Field – Division 1 Juliette Salazar (Class of 2023) entered the University at Buffalo’s program record books in the 800 meters, posting a time of 2:12.39 at the Penn State National Open on Jan. 31. Her performance ranks eighth in program history and placed her 16th among 37 competitors in the event.

Track & Field – Division III Plattsburgh State’s Isaiah Ritter (Class of 2023) finished second in the long jump at the Bomber Invitational in Ithaca, recording a mark of 6.95 meters.