Behind 16 points from Bryan Augustin and seven assists and seven rebounds from Olly Buchheim, the Highland Falls Intermediate School Raiders beat Chester Middle School on February 7.

“The Raiders are finding success by playing together, trusting each other and taking pride in their hard work and effort,” Coach Jaycee DeGroat said. “They are certainly making their community proud -- last night was not the typical Modified Game, it was the most exciting game I’ve been a part of in quite some time!”

DeGroat said the team’s defense has been anchored by Jizzal Omino and Brennan Guerra. “Their defense helps set the tone as they have taken seven charges each, this year.”

He added the team’s identity “can be characterized as selfless and hardworking” and said the players have done an outstanding job supporting each other. A big part of the Raiders’ success comes from their managerial staff. Michael Cahill and Marc-Raphael Tchabok Djialeu have been instrumental in the preparation of practices and games.

“I’ve coached basketball at several levels for almost 20 years and this team has been as fun as any team I’ve coached. The success of these players is due in large part to their character as people- hardworking, intrinsically motivated, and selfless. It will be a sad day when the season ends.”

Eighth graders on the team are: Brennan Guerra, Oliver Buchheim, Bryan Augustin, Logan DeTemple, Joey VanZetta, Mason McCutchen, Brandon Chen, Tyler Truncale, Sawyer Barr, Shane Dodge, Joe Caoili and Jake Flynn. Seventh graders are: Hendry De La Cruz, Jizzal Omino, Jackson Padula, Gerson Jimenez-Pena and Jonathan Sams.