Collegiate’s Connor Huff had 20 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in the win. (Denis Gostev)
On the few occasions Collegiate has struggled the last few years, it has been for one reason. Ryan Frankel hasn’t gotten up enough shots.
It wasn’t the MIT-bound point guard’s fault. Either teams would double team him, forcing the ball out of his hands, or fatigue would settle in because there were so many playmaking duties on his shoulders.
After a recent loss to Fieldston, Collegiate coach Ray Voelkel made a few changes – such as taking Frankel off the ball in spots – and the move has resulted in six straight wins.
It worked wonders on Monday in the Dutchmen’s commanding 76-61 home victory over rival Poly Prep which elevates them to the top spot in the Ivy Prep League. Coming off screens instead of working for every shot, Frankel scored 20 points, including six in a row to end the third quarter to ignite a game-turning 19-0 run.
“It makes a big difference,” Voelkel said. “We’re trying to get him more touches, but not necessarily bringing the ball up.”
With the lead, Voelkel put the ball back in Frankel’s trusty hands and he made sure Collegiate remained in front. Senior forward Connor Huff, Frankel’s running mate, put an exclamation point on the victory, scoring 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, to go along with 16 rebounds, three blocks and three assists.
Sophomore Henry Frye added 15 points and 13 rebounds and senior guard Willie Gwathmey also had 15 points. Anthony Reyes led Poly Prep with 23 points and high-scoring junior Charlie Marquardt was held to eight. The duo only had six after Reyes’ jumper gave the Blue Devils a 46-41 lead late in the third quarter.
Voelkel went to a matchup zone after Reyes burned Collegiate’s man-to-man. The Dutchmen (16-2, 9-1 Ivy Prep League) extended on Reyes and Marquardt, forcing Poly Prep’s less experienced youngsters into more prominent roles.
“After they missed a shot or two, they had a tough go of it,” Voelkel said.
While Poly Prep (11-7, 7-2) went into a funk, Collegiate exploded with that furious 19-0 run. Frye got it going with a basket and a 3-pointer and Frankel followed back-to-back 3-pointers to end the third quarter. Pascal Croak, Frye and Huff combined to hit five free throws to start the fourth and Huff sank a 3-pointer on a Frankel feed to make it 60-46 with 6:13 left.
“We just started to hit shots and we knew if we do the things we normally do in practice, they would break down and we would start wearing them down a little.” Frankel said.
Poly never got closer than 11 the rest of the way as the Dutchmen turned the first place showdown into a rout. As is their way, the Dutchmen played down the significance of the victory. They still have to go to Bay Ridge to face Poly Prep and have a tough challenge Wednesday against talented Riverdale.
“We feel we’re the best team, but we don’t want to get overconfident,” Frankel said. “It’s a big win. They’re always one of the best teams in the league. But we know we have a long way to go.”
Winning the Ivy crown is a major goal for this group. While Collegiate has won the last four NYSAISAA Class B and New York State Federation Class B titles, failing to win the regular season title has been bothersome, like a nagging gnat that keeps buzzing in its ear.
“You can win the league and not go upstate or you can not win the league and win upstate,” Voelkel said. “The thing we want to do is win both.”