WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR Common Council-Chronicle Examiner. By John F. Bailey. January 3, 2007, UPDATED 2:30 AM EDT WITH DENNIS POWER SWEARING IN PICTURES: The Common Council voted 5-2 Tuesday evening at the January Common Council meeting to appoint Commissioner of  Finance Gina Cuneo-Harwood to the position of  “temporary” Chief Fiscal Officer “through the budget season.”

Mayor Joseph Delfino made a statement that his administration was continuing to look at the possibility of folding the Budget Department (which no longer is functioning) into the Finance Department, and that the city has been studying that possibility since the Budget Director left. He denied the city has ever suggested the Budget Director/Department should be eliminated, blaming such reports on the media. The Mayor read a statement to the effect that the city was being prudent in keeping the position unfilled and entertaining the feasibility of operating with Budgeting and finance in one department. Video Captures from WPGA-TV, White Plains Government Access-TV by WPCNR News

The issue came up prior to the vote where  the council voted to pay Ms. Cuneo-Harwood  $20,000 additional in salary for the “extra work” she will doing in handling the responsibilities of the departed Budget Director, preparing the 2007-2008 city budget

The city has had no Budget Director since June 2, 2007 when Anne Reasoner abruptly departed employment  that Friday afternoon under circumstances the city has refused to explain. The city denied she was fired. The Deputy Budget Director, Jim Hricay, upon Reasoner’s departure in June was transferred to the Finance Department reporting to Cuneo-Harwood. Last month, Hricay left the city for a position in Stamford.

Malmud, Power Opposed

Councilpersons Rita Malmud and Dennis Power said they were troubled by the creation of the temporary Chief Fiscal Officer position. They were against eliminating the Budget Department function since it served as a check-and-balance on the city finances.

Councilman  Benjamin Boykin demurred, saying he would vote for the Cuneo-Harwood appointment because the extra pay was to compensate her for  wearing both hats as Commissioner of Finance and Budget Director. He said the council would discuss the concept of eliminating the Budget Department in the spring.

Councilman Thomas Roach said he, too, was not in favor of eliminating the Budget Department, but saw this the Cuneo-Harwood “raise” as merely a pay matter.

Councilman Arnold Bernstein said the Corporation Counsel Edward Dunphy had assured him this was legal to do, and that the job needed to be done. Mr. Hockley and the Mayor also strongly supported the proposal.

Mr. Hockley said that in the early 70s the city did not have a separate budget department and that arranged had worked well. He said that it was his responsibility was to save taxpayers’ money and perhaps eliminating the Budget Department was a way to do that, but did not commit firmly to eliminating the Budget Department. He said that the city needed the job to be done and he was voting to compensate Cuneo-Harwood to pay her for the additional responsibility of budget directing.

Council Asks No Questions.

No member of the Common Council asked the Mayor directly whether the city was conducting searches for Budget Director candidates to see who was out there the last six months. No advertisements have been run for the position to WPCNR’s knowledge, as the city has for Building Commissioner (filled temporarily by Damien Amodio).  The city on the surface has made no effort to fill the positions of Budget Director and Depurty Budget Director.

No Common Council member asked the Mayor about hiring a consultant to handle the Budget Director “planning function.”  Ms. Cuneo-Harwood’s responsibility as Commissioner of Finance is managing the city’s cash and paying the city’s bills. The Commissioner of Finance only has budget responsibility for his or her own department and managing the city’s money, and managing returns on city investments and funds. The Budget Director is a policy maker who plans how all the city money is allocated.

Media Blamed for Reporting Budget Department Demise

The Mayor read a statement accusing the media of inventing the story that the city was attempting to kill the Budget Department. He said this resolution was a mechanism to compensate Ms. Cuneo-Harwood only. He also said looking at eliminating the budget department was following a directive of Councilman Benjamin Boykin to look at city spending last April.

“Commissioner Habel (Sue) made some comments tonight in the hearing in relation to Bank Street, where sometimes things are printed in the press and media and it stirs an interest in something without having the facts there.

I think in this case here, the same issue occurred. I want to make sure, I’d like to make a statement because I want to have a clear understanding of what the public knows and the council knows because we’ve had some discussions of this as council members.

Last budget season the council and particular the Budget and Management Committee, when Mr. Boykin took over as chairman, he basically directed the administration to look at ways to reduce expenses and consolidate services.  That was a charge. And he still says it. And he’s right. We should be doing that, not only in this department but in every department in the city.

As you know, our Budget Director left in August of last year (actually June 2, 2006) and we have operated without one since that time. We have provided and continue to provide all the financial and budgetary information in a timely and effective manner. We truly have. We didn’t skip a beat. We didn’t skip a beat.

This administration has never suggested the elimination of the Budget Department I even heard tonight on Citizens to be Heard that we did. We never suggested it.

In the interest of consolidating services which was charged to this administration, by the council and particularly Budget & Management, including citizens of our community, reducing expenses and eliminating duplication, we have looked at and continue to look at the possibility of folding the budget department into the finance department.

Raising his voice menacingly, the Mayor continued, “as is the case, I want the public to understand this, as is the case iun every municipal government in the county of Westchester, there’s 44,  except for county government, they  (Budget and Finance) are split  there – but the Budget Director belongs to the County Executive which we would never even think about doing here, o.k.? So keep in mind, this isn’t rocket science, every community, 43 (we’re  the 44^th) have consolidations of  budget and management.”

“Budgetary reports and analysis  will always be necessary, will always be an integral part of the financial planning, that will continue, it must continue, it will continue” raising his voice for emphasis he said emphatically, “The fact that we’re operating without a Budget Director is not a result of poor planning. It is a result of prudent and careful planning as we continue to study the issue of possible consolidation and cost-savings.”

“This item (the Cuneo-Harwood pay increase) tonight is not about that. It got intertwined with that. This item is about compensation for an individual who essentially functions as the head of two departments where we continue to study this consolidation possibility. This person (Cuneo-Harwood) has performed admirably, above and beyond, to produce the best financial value this city has seen in the last few years.

“We will produce a budget this year  and it will be a good budget, just as we’ve done the past nine years we will do what we have to do to get the job done. We’ll get the job done. This issue is solely about fairness and equity and it is the right thing to do. It truly is.”

With that the role call vote was taken and Ms. Cuneo-Harwood’s paycheck grew.

What do they really do, anyway?

The Finance Department as defined in the Charter accords the Commissioner of Finance the duty of paying city bills and managing funds for best investment return. The Finance Commissioner is only responsible for their own department.

 The Budget Director is defined as the “check and balance” on the spending of all city departments. He or she is the city  financial planner and decision-maker, and is given absolute budget assigning power by the Charter.

According to the City Charter,  (page 23, Section 68) the Budget Director shall

“review the estimates, altering, revising, increasing or decreasing the items of said estimates (prepared by all department heads), as he shall deem necessary in view of the needs of the various spending agencies and the probable total available revenue of the city. The budget director may call upon the city officers, heads of departments and other spending agencies of the city for information and details of the estimates submitted by them and it shall be the duty of such officers, heads of departments and other spending agencies to furnish such information and details to the budget director. The budget director shall then prepare a proposed budget in the form required by law and he shall transmit this proposed budget in writing to the common council at the state meeting of the common council in April of the current year.”

Background

When Anne Reasoner left the city as Budget Director, WPCNR asked Paul Wood, the City Executive Officer if the Budget Department might be consolidated into the Finance Department, Wood said, “not at this time, but that could be considered a possibility.” About September, WPCNR asked Wood the same question but Wood never responded with a city position on the status of hiring or searching for a new Budget Director.

Though it is true that financial statements are eventually grudgingly, sparingly issued by the city,  media have to cajole, badger, make phone call after phone call to acquire routine figures such as sales tax receipts, and questions about budget items are ignored as long as possible. The statements issued by the city are not handed out willingly with a smile. Sensitive financial information has to be cleared by commissioners  through the Mayor’s office which necessitates follow-up call after followup call, voice mail message after voice mail message, rarely returned.

Prior to the sudden Reasoner departure, in April, 2006,  WPCNR asked Mr. Boykin Chair of  the Budget and Finance Committee concerns about city finances. In an interview with us, Mr. Boykin told WPCNR the Committee was concerned about how the city is being run and managed. Boykin said, “We’ve had a lot of growth, and we need to look at the city again, to see whether we have the right people doing the right things.”

In other action,

* Dennis Power was sworn in for the remaining year in the term of deceased councilman Robert Greer. Congressperson Nita Lowey said Mr. Power understands the responsibility of public service. With County Legislator Bill Ryan and Assemblyman Adam Bradley in the first row, Mr. Power remarked that he had first been approached to run for council by Robert Greer in the late 80s, and said here he was again, returning to the council, again related to Mr. Greer. Power said he hoped in his service that the council would do as Rabbi Lester Bronstein said, opening the Council meeting, to listen to its citizens and make the right decisions.

Dennis Power being sworn in to the last year of Robert Greer’s term on the Council with his son, Joseph holding the Family Bible.

Congressperson Nita Lowey was eloquent in her praise of Mr. Power’s understanding and committment to Public Service. Ms. Lowey also mentioned she would be working in Washington D.C. to eliminate the minimum alternative tax and to bring the troops home from Iraq.

County Legislator Bill Ryan, and Assemblyman Adam Bradley shared the Dennis Power Moment. Power, later in the Council Meeting, asked Mr. Bradley to spearhead the continuance of the 2% sales tax for White Plains through the new New York State legislature.

* The Council approved the RPW project refurbishing the entrance to 1133 Westchester Avenue.

* The hearing on the creation of legislation to accommodate the North Street Community on North Street was adjourned to February.

Bank Street Parking Lot Legislation to Allow “Residential” Hearing Opened

The hearing on legislation permitting  the Bank Street commuter parking lot in the Urban Renewal area to include residential housing was opened. The Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel explained this was not a zoning change, blaming the media for leaving this impression. (WPCNR in previewing this meeting, referred to this as a zoning change, and WPCNR regrets the error.)

Nonetheless the legislation reclassifying the parking lot  is a change of use of the land because, as Habel explained,  zoning in that area already allows residential, but that the land being urban renewal land does not at the present time. In order to make the land a possibility for residential use, this Common Council had to change the law. The hearing was kept open until February, at which time the “legislation” would be available to the council would be available.

Habel said some plan(s) were being examined by the city at this time and no decision had been made. 

This was puzzling.

Two weeks ago, Executive Officer Paul Wood stated to The Journal News  reporter Keith Eddings that the city was not putting the parking lot land up for bid, and that it was looking to sell the land to LCOR to build two residential apartments  with some 400 apartments, limited to 23 stories each in height. Wood said the plan being considered  would have LCOR pay the city $16.5 Million for the parking lot (which Habel said had 200 self-park spots and 70 more stacked parking slots), and the city would pay LCOR $5 Million to provide 300 parking spaces within their apartment/retail complex to replace the commuter spaces. 

What was interesting was when the Mayor asked if there was any comment on the proposal, no citizen stepped to the podium.

No Councilperson opened their mouth either.

The Mayor even asked the Council if they had any questions. The Council did not ask any questions or even bring up the Paul Wood exclusive to The Journal News.  Perhaps the Common Council members did not read The Journal News, watch White Plains Week or read on this website of that story.

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WPCNR AT WEST CAPITOL PARK At The State Capitol. By John F. Bailey. January 1, 2007:  Governor Eliot Spitzer, addressing thousands filling the West Capitol Park at the first ever public inaugural in New York State, said his two “overarching objectives” would be “transforming government so that it is ethical and wise as all of New York,” and to rebuild the state economy “so it is ready to compete on the global stage in the next century.”

Governor Eliot Spitzer Delivering his Inaugural Address on the steps of the State Capitol New Year’s Day.  Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General is fourth from the left. Mrs. Spitzer and the Governor’s three daughters are at the right. Photos, WCPNR News

The Governor set priorities in opportunity, education, and health care reform with a hint at property tax reform with no specifics. He said “our purpose is not merely reform merely for the sake of reform, but to restore fairness and create opportunity and redefine the very fabric of our community.” He gave notice to politicians sitting before him that their partisan politics of the past will not do.

Governor Eliot Spitzer assumed command of New York State from Governor George Pataki. Thousands fanned out across West Capitol Park in front of New York’s Capitol Monday, despite heavy rains in morning and threatening raw skies. They saw a ceremony worthy of the Kings of England.

The extravaganza included fanfares, musical codas and dramatic transitions  at the introduction of Governor Spitzer and his family;  prior to his taking the oath of office and after his oath of office, with rounds of artillery and rifle fire rumbling in the distance, evoking  the feel of the 1812 Overture as the orchestra played majestic theme.

Mr. Spitzer (seen on one of two giant videoscreens) set Opportunity, Education, Health Care Priorities and challenged politics of past.

“Some may feel anxiety over changes that seek to make businesses more competitive, but all will benefit from an Innovation Economy that attracts young people and new businesses in every part of New York,” he said.

“Some may express skepticism over a school system that demands more accountability from students, teachers and parents, but all will benefit from an education that rewards excellence and gives every child the best possible chance in life.

“Some may feel threatened by health care reforms, but all will benefit from a system that finally puts patients first at a cost that all families can afford.”

“Some public officials may not want to face stricter ethics rules and more competitive elections, but all citizens will win when we finally get a government that puts the people’s interests, openness and integrity first.”

The Governor, speaking coatless in 48 degree raw, damp conditions, delivered a  20-minute address promising to “change the ethics of Albany and end the politics of cynicism and division in our state…”. He said, “What we now need more than ever is a politics that binds us together, a politics that looks to the future, a politics that asks not what is in it for me, but always what is in it for us (the people).”

Pataki Years The Rip Van Winkle Years

With former Governor George Pataki sitting 20 feet away Governor Spitzer likened the state of the last ten years to Rip Van Winkle,  having “slept through much of the last decade while the rest of the world passed us by,” Spitizer said.

The Governor pointed out this “standing still” was evident in the “burdensome property taxes, health care we can’t afford; in the jobs that have disappeared (from upstate cities), and schools that keep failing our children; in a government that works for those who hold office – not those who put them there… Today is the day when all of that changes – when we stop standing still and start moving forward. ”

Exhorts politicians to work as  One New York

The Governor called for “One New York…through a politics that operates on the principle that we rise or fall as one people and one state. We will succeed not because we point fingers or refuse to budge, but because we compromise enough to find principled consensus, and because we listen enough to find wise solutions.”

A Commentary on Politics As We Knew Them: The Governor  was hard on officeholders’ previous efforts, speaking to the citizens of New York directly about the performance of the New York legislature seated before him: “While I wish I could tell you that change will be easy – I don’t believe you elected me to do what’s easy.”

“Easy is spending your tax dollars without consequence or sacrifice. Easy is saying yes to supporters and no to opponents. Easy is looking the other way while costs rise, debts mount and families lose ground. Easy is what we’ve had, but easy is not where we need to go.”

He quoted Teddy Roosevelt: “It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage that we can move to better things.”

He evoked the memory of DeWitt Clinton (for his building the Erie Canal) as an example of New York State enterprise of the past. He bade the state look back to the reformers of Theodore Roosevelt’s term as governor and their zeal for reform and follow Franklin Roosevelt’s call to be “bold, and to recognize that people demand action now.”

Lawmakers Must Take A New Responsibility.

Spitzer said legislators “who work in the great building behind me must hear and heed the serious responsibility that public service demands and rise to this moment and show the public in words and in deeds that we understand that our responsibility that public service demands and rise to this moment and show the public in words and deeds that we understand that our responsibility is to the people of New York.”

Crowd fills the West Capitol Park. Alfred E. Smith Building is to the left.

He challenged the lawmakers to change their ways: “The reform we seek is substantial in size and historic in scope (no specifics mentioned). It will require a new brand of politics – a break from the days when progress was measured by partisan points scored or the opponents defeated. No longer can we afford merely to tinker at the margins of the status quo or play the politics of pitting one group against another. We must replace delay and diversion with energy and purpose in the halls of the capital.”

Spitzer closed with warm thoughts about New York diversity, observing he is the grandson of  an immigrant. “Today’s immigrants enrich our state with their vitality and vision, in the same way as the immigrants of the last century.”

Spitzer finished strong with a little Churchill, a little Kennedy, and a reference to another Governor of New York who became President – “No matter how great the challenge – no matter how impossible the odds – our destiny will never be a path to follow, but always a trail to blaze.”

He gave the citizens and the legislators before him a mission:

“As New York’s former Governor Theodore Roosevelt once remarked, there can be no progress without first entering the arena. My fellow New Yorkers: join me in that arena…Lend your sweat, your toil and your passion to the effort of building One New York of which we can all be proud. My fellow New Yorkers. Our moment is here.”

“Day One is Now.”

“Together Let’s build that One New York. Let’s walk toward that better day.”

The citizens and dignitaries rose applauding in hope.

After the ceremony, Celebrate New York, a series of events to entertain the public, and to celebrate the arts of the state took place at The Egg Theatre, and throughout the Concourse beneath the Executive Plaza.  The multitudes enjoyed the wares of fabulous New York State food creators. This reporter dined on the famous biker-created “Dinosaur Bar-B-Q” (based in Syracuse) and enjoyed Saranac Root Beer.

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Citizens of New York  were welcomed into the 1867 State House, the magnificent edifice housing the State Assembly and Senate, and were given tours of the chambers.Citizens are seen entering the Assembly Chambers on tour Monday after the Inauguration.

Citizens toured the Senate Chamber (seen from the spectator balcony).

 Andrew Cuomo, sworn in as Attorney General lingered for forty-five minutes with citizens in the state house lobby outside the Attorney General Office. Mr. Spitzer did not meet with the press after the Inauguration Ceremonies. After Attorney General Cuomo departed the lobby of the Capitol, New Yorkers amused themselves by having their pictures taken behind the Attorney General News Conference podium shown above.

Citizens were awed by the sepulchre-like beauty of the magnificent central stone staircases in the State Capitol.

***********

Mr. Cuomo’s father, Mario Cuomo, former New York Governor was seated with the rest of the new Attorney General’s family in the front row on the Inauguration Dais. Andrew Cuomo received the oath of office from Chief Justice Judith Kaye of the New York State Court of Appeals, and he waved to the crowd enthusiastically as their cheers washed over him.

Ms. Kaye administered the oath of office to Lieutenant Governor David Patterson, and finally the stage was set for Mr. Spitizer’s historic moment.

The affair began with a procession of dignitaries emerging from the State Capitol announced by Alfred E. Smith the IV.

Mr. Smith called the Inauguration to order and introduced a procession of dignitaries who emerged from the steps of the Capitol: The Native Tribes of New York State, The Board of Regents, the members of the New York State Assembly and Senate,  representatives of the Mayors of New York State, the New York State Congressional Delegation, Senator Charles Schumer (Senator Hillary Clinton did not attend the Inauguration), and  former Governor George Pataki and First Lady Libby Pataki, Lieutenant Governor David Patterson and his wife, Andrew Cuomo and his three children and his father, former Governor Mario Cuomo and his wife, Matilda Cuomo, followed by a three minute pause before Governor Spitzer was introduced with his wife Silda Wall Spitzer and their three daughters.

Mr. Smith, the great grandson of New York Governor Alfred E. Smith, remembered that Alfred E. Smith was described as using his voice as a trumpet that he would use in defense of the less fortunate, saying “Today we’ll hear that trumpet again.”

They did.

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WPCNR MAIN & MAMARONECK. January 1, 2007: White Plains attracted a happy crowd of all ages and diversity New Year’s eve to a raucous street-animatingNew Year’s Eve celebration crowned by a rouser of a fireworks display at midnight as the White Plains Ball descended into Renaissance Square. The 40 degree evening attracted large lines at local bars and restaurants and citizens young and old dancing to music in the streets, and was still partying strong at 1 AM, according to witnesses when Times Square in Manhattan was left with nothing but litter.

Renaissance Square in White Plains 12:10 A.M., January 1, 2007! Happy New Year! News 12Video Capture by WPCNR News

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WPCNR PULSE. From White Plains Hospital Center. December 30, 2006 UPDATED 8:30 PM EST: Citizens holding Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield health care coverage will be accepted  at White Plains Hospital Center, Lawrence Hospital (Bronxville), Northern Westchester Hospital (Mount Kisco) and Phelps Memorial Hospital (Sleepy Hollow) Monday, ending their fears their Empire health coverage may not be accepted due to contract expiration.  Stellaris Hospital Network announced early Saturday afternoon they have reached agreement with Empire effective January 1.

In a statement, the Stellaris Network said, “We are pleased that the successful outcome (of Empire negotiations) is one which is in the best interest of all concerned. We thank you for your continued support and recognition of the value of Stellaris Hospitals to the citizens of Westchester that we take pride in serving.”

In a news release this evening, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield stated:

“We are pleased to have reached this agreement and we will continue to work closely with SHN to support their ongoing mission to provide important services to our members and to the Westchester community,” said Mark Wagar, President, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield.

“This agreement will provide Empire’s members with continued access to Westchester’s preeminent network of community hospitals. We look forward to our ongoing relationship with Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield,” said Arthur A. Nizza, President and CEO of Stellaris. 

No action is required by Empire members to continue services at any Stellaris Hospital Network hospital facility. Empire members who have additional questions should contact their member service representative at the number on their ID card.

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WPCNR COURTSIDE By “Hardwood Bailey” December 29, 2006 UPDATED 10:37 AM December 30, 2006: The White Plains Tigers took over the offensive boards in the third quarter, and Jamell Cromartie and Spencer Smith operated the thing of beauty that is the White Plains 2-3 zone defense, creating 5 key Xaverian turnovers to pace the Tigers to a 10-point lead after three quarters. The Tigers drained clock and never let the Clippers get close in the final 8 minutes, to nail the County Center Slam Dunk Championship, 61-55 over Xaverian High from Brooklyn tonight.  The Tigers strung together the eighth win without a loss against Xaverian, their toughest opponent to date.

THE TIGER “MO” ZONE–CAN’T GET INSIDE IT CAN’T GET OVER IT: Xaverian (DOWN BY 9!)has run down 21 seconds trying to penetrate the Tiger zone, with 2:23 to go in the third quarter. They passed it, threw it around and when Clipper guards tried to drive, Jamell Cromartie(top of key) and Spencer Smith top right of key) picked their pockets  for four easy baskets. The Tigers on the rear guard left to right are Rashad James, Jordan Griffith and Sean Kilpatrick who sealed off the paint. Photos, WPCNR Sports 

All Tournament Team: (L to R) Xaverian’s Brandon Romain and Reggie Davis, and White Plains Tigers, Jamell Cromartie and Rishawn Johnson (who took the boards back from Xaverian in the second and third quarters), and the Tournament Most Valuable Player, Sean Kilpatrick, who scored 27 Thursday evening and 20 tonight, keeping the Tigers in it to win it. 

Tiger Co-Captains, L to R, Jamell Cromartie (12 points, 3 steals, BIG BIG HOOPS), Rishawn “Roadblock” Johnson (13 Bounds, 8 Points, Caretaker of the Glass) and Spencer Smith whose steals highlighted the 15-4 third quarter Tiger TakeOver.  The “Stars of the Game” hold the Slam-Dunk Championship Trophy.

Sean Kilpatrick paced the Tigers with 16 points in the first half, then leant athleticism and muscle to help Rishawn Johnson, Smith and Griffith dominate the offensive boards in the 3rd quarter to stretch a 2-point lead at the half to 10.  Spencer Smith created two key steals in the third quarter, scored 15 overall, and scored the last 6 Tiger points.  Cromartie chipped in with 3 steals in the 3rd quarter and12 points — contributing his usual heartbreaker 2s.

Xaverian delivered a wakeup call to the Tigers the first fifteen minutes of the game. The rangy and speedy boys from Brooklyn penetrated and rebounded intensely, getting off strong.

Xaverian’s Reggie Smith, Jim Padgett and Brandon Romain dominated the offensive boards in the first quarter getting off to a 9-4 lead in the first 2 minutes of the game. The Tigers picked up 7 fouls in the first five minutes, until Rishawn Johnson rumbled down the lane was fouled and sank two foul shots to cut the deficit to 11-7. Padgett, dominating inside underneath scored five points to give the Clippers an 14-7 lead. Xaverian spread the floor and confused the Tigers with their long passes, but that did not last.

Sean Kilpatrick lead the Tigers back with an underhand baseline bucket to make it 14-9 and a backdoor layup to bring the score to 16-11 after one quarter.

Three Quarter Court Pressure Confuses.

The Tigers warmup jerseys have the word “DEFENSE” emblazoned on the backs. Defense at an other world intensity, brought the Tigers back in the second quarter.

Padgett, continuing to dominate underneath got the X-men an 18-11 lead in the first minute of Quarter 2. Tiger Coach Spencer Mayfield, pacing the sideline and exhorting his boys changed up to ¾ court pressure that Xaverian did not handle, while Rishawn, Kilpatrick and Cromartie pestered with finesse the Xaverian ball-handlers who did not handle it well. Kilpatrick penetrated for an 18-13 lead. Jamell Cromartie, unconfronted put up a bullseye 3-pointer from 20 feet with 5:42 to go in the half for a 18-16 deficit and the Tigers were in the X-men’s faces.

Rashad James disrupted a dribble by X guard got it to Kilpatrick who tied the score on a layup, 18-18. Xaverian went ahead on Romain’s  one-hander, 20-18 with 4:28 to go. The Tigers tied, a free throw gave Xaverian its last lead 21-20. Rishawn Johnson, the “Roadblock” tied the score on a free throw and at 2:11, Kilpatrick in an acrobatic, dipsey-doodle windmill-and-up layup across the base of the key gave the Tigers the lead 23-21. They were never headed again.

Rishawn Johnson, Kilpatrick and Jordan Griffith (The Sixth man) and Rashad James fearlessly and deftly took back the defensive boards and the Tigers took over control of the game going to the break. Rishawn Johnson’s free throw stretched the lead to 24-21.

The Killer Shot Specialist, Jamell Cromartie with three X-Men on top of him eclipsing his black uniform, in the paint somehow got up a shot that fell to make the score 26-23 Tigers with 1:35 to go. A long pass from Romain to Padgett cut the lead to 27-25 at the half, White Plains. But this was the last damage Padgett, the big 6-7 Clipper would do. Sean Kilpatrick, on fire, scored 16 in the first half  for White Plains while “The Crow,” Cromartie scored 7.

The Tiger Phalanx

In a highly entertaining first half where the Clippers were clearly bothered by the cat-like quickness of the Tiger defenders, and lost their poise in pressure, the question was could the Clippers penetrate as they had the first quarter. They could not.

Off the inbounds, Jamell Cromartie shot a terrific feed to Johnson to make it 29-25 within the first minute of the second half. The Clippers’ Reggie Davis short one-handed to make it 29-27 and Vince Council weaved his way coast-to-coast down court to tie the score on a layup at 29.

Momentum Stopper.

On the following sequence  Jamie Blanchard tangled his legs up with “The Roadblock,”  Rishawn Johnson, tripping him and was called for a Technical Foul. This clearly unhinged Xaverian mentally.  Jamell Cromartie made one of the two technicals and White Plains lead 30-29 for good.

The technical foul allowed the Tigers to retain possession and The Crow again applied his knack for the Kill Shot, putting in a one-hander from the foul line for a 32-29 lead.

X-Men enter The MO-ZONE.

The Tigers then set up their 2-3 zone defense and the X-Men could not handle it.  With guards Cromartie and Spencer blocking the passing lanes and the backline of James, Griffith and Kilpatrick guarding the bucket like Patrick Roy’s without pads, the Clipper Guards were intimidated, reluctant to throw passes to cutting big men Padgett and Davis.

Cromartie and Spencer Steal the Game.

A steal lead to an contested layup by Kilpatrick to make it 34-29 with 5 minutes to go in the third quarter.

A one-hander by Romain kept pace, but Cromartie pawed away a Clipper dribble and took it to the hoop for a 36-31 lead with 4:20 left in the third.

Cromartie again swatted away a tentative dribble to Spencer Smith who took it in for another uncontested layup and it was 38-31 with 3:12 to go.

The Clippers trailing now bigtime refused to put up threes or shoot from deep because of Cromartie, Spencer and Rashad James ability to come out and front them in an instant. The Clippers played catch at the perimeter of the zone to the frustration of their coach. A timeout did not improve matters.

Scrum: Tigers Dominated Boards in Second Half, getting position, easy layups off steals set up by Cromartie, Smith, Griffith and James.

Precious seconds ticked away as Xaverian played catch as the Tigers swung left, swung right and adjusted their zone and for some reason Xaverian guards did not attempt penetration.

Spencer Smith poked away the ball again to Jamell Cromartie who converted uncontested to extend the Tiger lead to 40-31 with 2:43 left.

Finally Padgett penetrated the lane putting up a flying one-hander to bring The X’s to 40-33 at the 2 minute mark. Sean Kilpatrick took another steal from Jordan Griffith and went in all alone for a 42-33 lead at 1:38.

Rishawn Johnson, and Rashad James congratulate Spencer Smith on the line, whose defensive intensity, ball-hawking and hustle keyed the big run.

Spencer Smith applied the killer steal slapping the ball loose again from a Clipper guard and taking it all the way to hoopsville for a 44-33 advantage White Plains with 1:24 to go. It was an amazing display of a zone that is alive and dangerous – a zone that thanks to the conditioning and superb reflexes of the Tiger guards – actually played like a man-to-man – without risking the foul pressure. At least it did tonight.

White Plains outscored Xaverian 17-9 in the third quarter to lead 44-34.

4^th Quarter Holds.

Rishawn Johnson scored with the first 30 seconds on a stunning move underneath for a 46-34 lead and Spencer Smith picked up another steal to extend the advantage to 48-34.  Joe Ecock canned a three, but Xaverian had no real outside shooting threats to take back the deficit fast. With six minutes to go, White Plains held a 48-39 lead. Rashadd James popped in a one-hander to extend to 50-39 with 5:50 to go. And still the Xaverians did not foul.  Xaverian hung around within 10 points until under the two minute mark. Spencer Smith’s two free throws stretched the lead to 55-45 with a minute to go, while the Tigers whittle down clock.

The Tigers (8-0)  play Scarsdale in their next game.

Jamie Blanchard  and Chris Doyle Accept Second Place Trophy for Xaverian — “Woithy Advasawies” from Brooklyn