Vernon takes its third SCIL festival crown

Trailing 12-4 after five minutes, Vernon rallied to defeat Wallkill Valley 66-52 to claim its third SCIL Boys Basketball Festival championship banner in four years. Senior Jeremi Palmieri, who was named to the tournament all-star team along with teammate Jeff Moen, popped a team-high 21 points into the basket. Kendrick Murphy launched a three-pointer with 6:55 remaining on the game clock that moved the Vikings into a 46-45 lead, and they never trailed from that point on. Mike Hern represented the Rangers on the all-tourney team. Clockwise from top left, Wallkill’s Steve Simmons lays one up; Vernon’s Charles Drinkard converts a basket before Wallkill’s Tom Rodas can stop him; Wallkill’s Joe Byrne drives under pressure from Vernon’s Kendrick Murphy; Wallkill’s Mike Hern looks for a way around Vernon’s Jeff Moen; and Hern drives to the basket. (Photos by Eileen Stanbridge)