WPHS' Kilpatrick Breaks Scoring Record at Big Apple Invitational
By: Albert Coqueran
Published: January 25, 2008

Archbishop Stepinac High School's senior point guard Tony Taylor is undoubtedly one of the top four basketball players in Westchester County; some observers rate him the best, but Sean Kilpatrick from White Plains High School, Kevin Jones from Mount Vernon and Mookie Jones from Peekskill High School may debate that status.

Taylor is a resident of Sleepy Hollow. He stands 5'11" tall and weighs 165 pounds. His passing ability is so quick and precise at times not only does he have defenders but his own teammates pondering "Where did that come from?"
Taylor is ranked third in scoring (29.3 points per game) and three-point shooting (3.5 per game) in New York State High School Boys Basketball.

Stepinac's star point guard Tony Taylor (second from left), with his mother Mary Ann, sister Sayge and father Tony Sr.

Taylor's talent piqued the interest of many colleges, but the Crusader signed a letter of intent in November to attend George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Karl Hobbs, the head coach of George Washington, was selected as the 2007 Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year, as his Colonials captured the A-10 championship. However, what is most impressive about Hobbs is his recruiting resumé before he headed the Colonials. Hobbs was an assistant coach at the University of Connecticut and recruited such present NBA players as Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Emeka Okafor and Mount Vernon's Ben Gordon.

On Jan. 16, Hobbs and his Colonials visited the Bronx to play Fordham University. Taylor and his family attended the game, as did Stepinac's Head Coach Tim Philp.

Hobbs recalled, "I came and watched Tony play; I must have watched him for five minutes. Then I told my assistant coach 'let's get his dad in here and wrap this up.'" Taylor's father, Tony Taylor Sr., is the head coach of the freshman Stepinac team.

"Tony has a great feel for the game and plays with a real self-confidence," said Hobbs about his new recruit. "What makes Tony special is that he is a quick point guard that creates plays and an exceptional shooter," he added.

Taylor, watching the game, said "I think that I can help George Washington by getting my teammates involved in the game, breaking down defenses, my shooting and defense." Taylor added, "I am very comfortable about playing for George Washington, in the A-10, next year."

The Tigers' Sean Kilpatrick (center) with Big Apple Basketball staff member Nygel Roach (left) and Jason Curry, president of the board.

Kilpatrick Breaks Record
Although White Plains High School defeated Mamaroneck High School, 60-48, on Jan. 15, their spirits remained low from the double-overtime loss to Scarsdale High School the week before. A trip to Baruch College in New York City, to play Canarsie High School in the Big Apple Invitational, was just what the Tigers needed.

The Tigers came back from losing by 18 points in the third quarter to tie the Chiefs, 70-70, with 20 seconds left in the game to force overtime.

Sean Kilpatrick scored a Big Apple Invitational record 44 points, as the Tigers defeated Canarsie, from the powerhouse PSAL Brooklyn AA League, 82-79, in overtime. Kilpatrick, the Tigers' highly recruited senior, was the MVP of the game.

Important in the Tigers win was the play of center Darrell Ward, who had 11 points. Ward's success in the front court is crucial for the Tigers (10-4, 1-2 1-AA) to salvage their Section 1-AA season. Rashaad James had 11 points and Bobby Jones added 10 points in the win.

"This was a great win for the team, especially after the loss to Scarsdale; that was a tough loss," said Tigers Head Coach Spencer Mayfield.

Tigers sophomore guard Nick Cutsumpas was presented The Big Apple Academic Achievement Award for his 3.6 GPA.

The Tigers concluded their weekend road trip by losing to Bishop Maginn High School, 71-50, in the Coaches Versus Cancer Tournament in Albany on Sunday.

Link to full article in White Plains Times online