Boogie Fland led Archbishop Stepinac downs Cardinal Hayes 66-60 in early season shootout High School with 24 points and six rebounds as Stepinac downs Cardinal Hayes 66-60 in early season shootout beat Cardinal Hayes High School 66-60 in the rivals’ first meeting of the boys’ basketball season.

The away win avenged Stepinac’s 20-point loss to Cardinal Hayes in March’s city championship.

Cardinal Hayes led 16-15 after a frenetic, sometimes sloppy, first period, as both teams sought to establish a rhythm. The home Hayes crowd was remarkably sedate, coming alive only in the later stages of the fourth quarter.

Consistent rebounding by Stepinac and an over-reliance on three-point shots by Hayes gave the visitor the lead at halftime, 35-31. Stepinac remained in control throughout the second half, leading 50-42 at the end of the third quarter. However, Hayes pulled within two points with 1:34 left, before Stepinac finally iced the game.

Along with standout point guard Fland’s 24 points, six rebounds, and four assists, Ben Lyttle contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds. Stepinac’s Danny Carbuccia added 11 points and seven assists. For Hayes, Ian Jackson scored 22 and shooting guard Elijah Moore adding 16.

The two teams will meet again February 14 at Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains. Stepinac next faces Holy Cross on Tuesday, December 6; Cardinal Hayes meets Duncanville on Thursday, December 8.