Pierson boys basketball's season ends in state Class C regional final
Pierson head coach Dan White inspires Kai Genender as he readies to check in during the second quarter of a state class C boys basketball regional final on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Longwood High School. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
A year ago, Pierson’s boys basketball team sat at home after a two-win season. On Saturday, it faced Section I’s North Salem in a Southeast Regional final after winning 16 games.
The Whalers took the next step this winter, but their season came to an end at Longwood High School as North Salem defeated Pierson, 66-46, in the state Class C Southeast Regional final.
North Salem (15-8) showcased its size advantage throughout the contest and outrebounded Pierson, 14-8, on the offensive glass.
“They’re definitely a stronger team than us and in the offseason, that’s what we need to work on,” junior Jack Kamimura said. “I believe we’re a way better team, but it’s really the physical strength.”
Missed shots and turnovers also plagued the Whalers. Pierson struggled with its shot early in the contest — with 32 first-half shots yielding just 13 first-half points — as the Whalers trailed 29-13 at halftime.
“We were nervous, we couldn’t catch the ball,” coach Dan White said. “We kind of played them even there in the third, but when you’re down 16 against a team that’s just as good or better, you can’t really spot them.”
Pierson (16-6) trailed by 14 with 2:53 left in the third quarter. North Salem junior Lucas Virzi scored 17 of his game-high 26 points in the second half. He finished with eight three-pointers.
“We held their two best players [Bryce Bryant and Jameson Juan] to 15 points combined,” Pierson junior Casey Finelli said. “[Virzi] had a great shooting night. That kind of stuff you can’t really predict.”
Pierson has been without star sophomore and leading scorer, Orion Aubry, since early February after he suffered a knee injury.
“He’s a calming factor out there,” White said. “When things get out of whack, he has an ability to get the ball and get everyone organized … he’s kind of a second coach out there, so when you lose that on the floor, in a big moment, it can hurt you.”
Pierson juniors Joel Mather and Max Vogel led the Whalers with eight and seven points, respectively. The Whalers have no seniors, meaning they will return their entire roster next year.
“We’re going to come back and be bigger, stronger, faster, smarter,” Finelli said. “This isn’t the last time you’ll see us here. Next year, we’re going to the final four, guarantee it.”
Michael Sicoli covers high school sports for Newsday. He graduated from Quinnipiac in 2022 and left with a master’s degree in sports journalism in 2023.
