BY ZACH SMART
Playing in a sparkling 3,500-seat arena with all the amenities, one perhaps better suited for a Big East program, Quinnipiac University is in the midst of a preeminent season.
Under a veteran coach and longtime New York recruiting presence in Tom Pecora, the Bobcats have registered a 19-4 overall record while going 11-1 in the MAAC, nestled comfortably in first place.
The growth of both the University and the men’s basketball program seems rather rapid.
Quinnipiac first moved up to the Division-I level during the 1998-1999 season.
Back then, the obscure program actually used an aerobics room as its official locker room.
During the 2006-07 campaign, as a then-Northeast Conference program, Quinnipiac transitioned from a bandbox, smurf-small Burt Khan gymnasium on campus to the sprawling M & T Bank Arena (then called the TD Banknorth).
Quinnipiac has had its fair share of ups and downs since elevating the stature of the program.
The Bobcats have, however, had consistent success tapping into the nearby New York recruiting market.
Alum such as sharpshooter James Feldeine (Cardinal Hayes), high scoring guard James Johnson (Bishop Loughlin), and 6-foot-7 left handed interior banger Justin Rutty (Newburgh Free Academy), among several others, authored memorable careers at QU.
And, last night, as Quinnipiac ripped off their 10th consecutive win in a 84-73 triumph over St. Peter’s, Half Hollow Hills East product Savion Lewis broke the all time single-season assists record. In doling out eight dimes, Lewis arrived at 174 total assists on the 2023-24 campaign.
Quinnipiac is on pace for a historic year embedded in program lore.
…
An hour and 20 minutes down the Merritt Parkway in White Plains, N.Y., Stepinac High School Class of 2024 wing Braylan Ritvo has put forth a breakout season for the traditional national power.
The Crusaders are 19-3 overall and a scalding 13-0 in the New York City-based and talent-rich CHSAA “AA.”
At 6-foot-7 and possessing an inside-outside scoring acumen–with a proclivity for breaking open games when he seizes the hot hand from beyond the arc–Ritvo has prospered on national stages his senior season.
He stole the show at the prestigious Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts just last month.
Ritvo morphed into the mad gunslinger with a 27-point eruption on the strength of seven 3-pointers, en route to a win over Don Bosco Prep (NJ). He displayed a patient, refined back to the rim game in that one as well.
Ritvo scored 30 points during a victory over the nationally reputable Corona Centennial HS (CA) during the opening phase of the season.
A bold catch-and-stick threat and seasoned three-year veteran for the reigning city champs, Ritvo scorched the nets to the tune of 8-for-10 from beyond the arc.
He’s turned in multiple games of 12 rebounds or more this season.
During Stepinac’s seemingly unparalleled ascension, Ritvo has also established himself as an adequate rim protector.
In Stepinac’s souped up offensive attack, Ritvo has surfaced as a reliable lob finisher and transition leak-out scorer on a deep team known for its fluid ball movement and commitment to the extra pass.
And now, after ramping up his recruiting profile considerably, Ritvo has committed to Quinnipiac.
He chose the Bobcats over Eastern Michigan, Manhattan College, and Cornell.
Ritvo had offers and a recent uptick in interest across the boards, from West Coast-based programs and Ivy League programs.
We caught up with Ritvo, who was in attendance for the Bobcats aforementioned home victory over St. Peter’s last night, dissecting the pivotal factors leading him to choose Quinnipiac.
ZS: What aspects separated Quinnipiac from the other schools recruiting you? What were some of the main draws to the program?
BR: The most significant part of choosing Quinnipiac would have to be my relationship with the coaching staff, and that relationship goes beyond basketball.
They’ve also got great facilities and a beautiful campus.
I am really close with coach (Tom) Pecora and coach (Shaun) Morris. We’ve just been talking every day. Conversations about basketball, about life. Everything. They are very genuine. I felt that both of them are great leaders on the court. Very talkative, communicative. They are great people on the court and off of it. People you can just hang around with for hours. And discuss everything.
ZS: What type of role do both yourself and the staff envision envision for you at QU?
BR: They want to utilize me as a really versatile player, which I love. I can be a mismatch. I can play multiple positions. If I were to play at the wing, I can use my size inside to create mismatches. Pretty much like a swiss army knife, someone who can adapt to any position that’s necessary.
ZS: What are your thoughts on the success of the Bobcats program this season?
BR: It’s great to see that they are playing the way they are playing right now. The 2024 class is really coach Pecora’s first recruiting class (since taking over for Baker Dunleavy).
We feel as if we are the foundation, we think we can be a special class. With this year’s success and the success that is to come in the playoffs, I honestly think we are going to come in and sustain what (Pecora) has got going right now.
ZS: What was the recruitment process and campus visits like?
BR: I first went up (to Hamden, Conn.) in June. The campus was beautiful. It was exactly what I was looking for in a college. Yesterday was my second time going up there. I got a chance to get into the locker room and chop it up with the players, which was cool. I went to the game with (East Catholic HS guard) Samson Reilly, who has also committed. So, it was nice to get a chance to meet someone who is coming in with me in that class.
ZS: You’re approaching the stretch run of your senior year at Stepinac. How do you sum up the experience and how would you envision culminating your career here?
BR: Our eyes are all set on the city championship this year. We want to make this a back to back.
Me personally, I just want to enjoy the rest of my senior season. My time here has gone by really fast. It’s been amazing. Great program. Great coaches. I’ve improved as a person first, basketball player second. I’ve formed bonds that I’ll have for the rest of my life while being here.
