Wednesday night the Knicks will unveil their new superstar tandem of Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony. Monsignor McClancy’s duo of Jonathan Veloz and Patrick Modzelewski showed them how it’s done.
The two seniors combined for 54 points – 27 apiece – in an impressive 76-65 victory over Regis in the second round of the CHSAA Class A intersectional playoffs at Holy Cross in Flushing. The two combined for 29 of the Crusaders’ 33 points in the first half added 25 more after halftime.
“When me and Pat score over 20 points [apiece], we haven’t lost,” Veloz said. “We weren’t greedy today. We just let it come to us and that’s what it takes to win.”
It didn’t take long for the two to gel after Veloz came over to McClancy from Christ the King. Veloz was relieved to see another shooter on his side, knowing it would limit double- and triple-teams. Veloz was just happy to be playing basketball after sitting out his junior year at the Middle Village powerhouse.
“Everything happens for a reason, now I’m here and I’m taking advantage of it,” said Veloz, a 6-foot-1 guard.
Said McClancy coach Don Kent: “He’s a big dimenstion. It was a blessing he came to us this year to help us out. [Defenses] would be collapsing on Jaleel [Feurtado] and collapsing on Patrick. With with the other shooter, it opens it up for the whole team.”
Tuesday’s performance was their best yet together. Modzelewski, a versatile 6-foot-5 forward, scored inside and out while Veloz made three 3-pointers in the first half and did most of his scoring off dribble penetration after halftime. Trailing by 19 at one point, Regis made several runs over the final quarter and a half, but Veloz and Modzelewski had an answer on each occasion.
When the Raiders, who got 23 points from Dan Morris, pulled within 11 early in the fourth quarter, Veloz sank a running one-hander. When they got it down to 11 again a minute later, Modzelewski sank a long jump shot. The differential was 60-51 with 4:19 to go, but Modzelewski scored inside and Veloz added a transition basket.
“They have a quick relase, they can shoot over guys, both of them can penetrate and that keeps the defense at bay,” Regis coach Kevin Cullen said. “They’re very good.”
When the Raiders (11-15) converged on Modzelewski, Veloz found himself with room to maneuver. When they got the ball out of Veloz’s hands, he found Modzelewski for easy shots. And the supporting cast, led by Feurtado (11 points), was integral, as well.
McClancy (15-10) will need to replicate this performance if it is to shock ‘A’ favorite Mount St. Michael. The Mountaineers won the first meeting, 77-54, back on Dec. 7, but that was before Veloz and Modzelewski became such a lethal tandem. Power forward Chris Tavantzis was also out that day with an injury.
“We’re ready to play, we’re not intimidated by anyone,” Kent said. “They beat us back in December, but this is one and done. Anything can happen.”