1925 Boys Basketball

The 1924-25 Patchogue High School Boys Varsity Basketball team established a winning pattern and benchmark for future Raider teams to emulate.  Led by Coach Robert Emery, the Red and Black squad did something that no Long Island high school team had done to date; playing in the State Championship game for all the marbles.  Compiling a 16-3-1 overall record, Coach Emery’s charges took on all comers, not only against Suffolk County teams, but against top teams from Nassau County as well as New York City.  The Red Raiders held their own against some of the finest teams from around New York State.

Facing Suffolk County rivals Islip, Bay Shore, Sayville and Huntington, the Patchogue 5 compiled a 7-1 league record.  The Red Raiders also faired well against neighboring Nassau County and New York City schools, compiling a record against those opponents, 6-1-1.  The only tie game came against Brooklyn Evening High School due to the city squad’s need to catch a train in order to return home in the city.  Victories came against Manual Training High School of Brooklyn, St. Francis College Reserves, also of Brooklyn, Haaran High School of Manhattan, Clark School from Riverside and Jamaica High School.

Led by team captain John Mazzotti, leading scorer Donald “Spot” Magurk and team “Iron Man” Wesley Springhorn, the Raider 5 took the team on a world win tour of lower New York State, earning a trip to the state championships with a record of 13-2-1.  Rounding out the starting five were Harry Bignall, and Billy Baker.  Reserves included Frank Lotito, George Furman, John Adams, George Chilson and Misters Patton and Chuichiolo.  Overall, Emery’s Raiders outscored their opponents 549-330.  The magical season came to an end with the Raiders doing something no other small school or Long Island school had done; play in the State Championship Game, which the Red Raiders lost to Lafayette High School of Buffalo, 22-16.