Recent Work
Welcome to my recent work page, which will feature the latest stories and projects that I’ve published down below. It will be updated regularly with links and more. From high school sports to college basketball and the New York Knicks, and anything else in between, there will be a wide-range of topics and content.
Feel free to follow me on Twitter at @erapay5 or on Instagram at @byeugenerapay for daily updates, or even hour-by-hour musings.
Knicks take down Warriors behind McBride’s career night
The west coast road trip continues to go well for the Knicks. New York, missing OG Anunoby, hardly skipped a beat as Deuce McBride and Jalen Brunson combined to bury the Warriors. Read more on The Knicks Wall
Villanova is a No. 1 seed in 2024 NIT, opens against VCU
For the second straight year, Villanova has accepted the invitation to play in the NIT. Read more on VU Hoops
‘Better every year:’ Big East announces extension with Madison Square Garden through 2032
The Big East locked up a contract extension with Madison Square Garden through 2032, which will be the 50th anniversary of the Big East Tournament. Read more on VU Hoops
2024 Big East Tournament semifinals preview, analysis, odds
Expect one of the most emotionally-charged Big East Tournament semifinals from start to finish. Read more on VU Hoops
Villanova falls to Marquette, 71-65, in Big East Tournament overtime quarterfinal thriller
The Wildcats pushed a Tyler Kolek-less third-seeded Marquette into overtime, but fell short. It is Marquette’s first time advancing to the Big East Tournament semis in back-to-back years. Read more on VU Hoops
No. 8 Creighton meets Providence, begins quest for first Big East tourney title
After an opening-round bye, Creighton is ready to make its entrance at Madison Square Garden against Providence. The two teams split the regular season series. Read more on CBS Sports
2024 Big East Tournament quarterfinals preview, analysis, odds
The busiest day of the Big East Tournament is upon us! Here’s a look at all four matchups for the Thursday quarterfinal slate. Read more on VU Hoops
Justin Moore saves Villanova with game-winning shot in 58-57 Big East Tournament-opening win over DePaul
After a back-and-forth battle, Justin Moore hit a clutch jumper to salvage a Wednesday night win and set Villanova up for a Thursday night game with Marquette. Read more on VU Hoops
2024 Big East awards: Providence’s Carter is player of the year, UConn’s Hurley top coach
The Big East announced its major individual awards on Wednesday afternoon, before the start of the Big East Tournament. Read more on VU Hoops
2024 Big East Tournament opening round preview, analysis, odds
Here’s a look at the three opening round games to tip-off Big East Tournament week. Read more on VU Hoops
Mercy University women's basketball headed to first NCAA Division II Tournament since 1985
Mercy women’s basketball is back on the map. The Mavericks are headed to their first NCAA Division II tournament since 1985. Read more on lohud.com
R.J. Davis: White Plains native and North Carolina star is named ACC Player of the Year
The legend of R.J. Davis keeps growing. The White Plains native and North Carolina Tar Heels standout added one more accolade to his lengthy resume Monday as he was named the 2023-24 ACC Player of the Year. Read more on lohud.com
Villanova’s Dixon named to All-Big East Second Team; 2024 awards announced
The Wildcats’ standout big man represents Villanova on the annual Big East all-conference teams. Read more on VU Hoops
Big East final standings, 2024 tournament schedule, bracket
With the conclusion of the 2023-24 regular season, the stage is set for the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Read more on VU Hoops
College basketball: 2024 MAAC Tournament bracket, schedule, results
The 2024 MAAC Tournament is underway at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Check back each day for updated schedule, scores, results and more from the men's and women's tournament. Read more on lohud.com
College basketball: 2023-24 All-MAAC teams, awards announced; Two Iona players honored
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announced its annual all-conference teams and award winners for the 2023-24 season. Read more on lohud.com
After up-and-down regular season, Iona determined to make a run at 2024 MAAC Tournament
Iona is ready to turn the page after an up-and-down season, and it hopes to be the next MAAC team to capture some magic and muster a deep run at the conference tournament as a lower-seeded team. Read more on lohud.com
Hockey: Suffern tops Orchard Park, 6-2, wins second Division I state title in three years
The goal was already in place months before the first puck drop of the 2023-24 season, and it’s mission accomplished for Suffern, who returns to the top to win its second state title in three years. Read more on lohud.com
Wrestling: Section 1 announces 2024 postseason accolades, award winners
Headlined by Section 1 Division I wrestler of the Year, Fox Lane’s Alex Berisha, and Section 1 Division II wrestler of the year, Putnam Valley’s Esuar Ordonez, here is the full list of Section 1 wrestling award-winners for the 2023-24 season. Read more on lohud.com
Hockey: Late surge by Queensbury/Lake George ends Byram Hills' historic run in state semis
Byram Hills battled all season long to reach the program's first state final four, but their run came to an end against Section 2's Queensbury/Lake George in the NYSPHSAA Division II state semifinal on Saturday night at the LECOM HarborCenter in Buffalo. Read more on lohud.com
Villanova loses final road game of the season to Seton Hall, 66-56
The Wildcats were far too inconsistent on the offensive end, after giving up the early lead. Read more on VU Hoops
Basketball: Stepinac tops St. Francis Prep, advances to fifth straight CHSAA AA City final
With plenty of flash and talent throughout its lineup, defending CHSAA champ Stepinac might not get plenty of credit on the defensive side of the game, but the Crusaders have now held their playoff opponents to under 54 points in back-to-back games to return to the finals. Read more on lohud.com
Kentucky commit Boogie Fland lifts Stepinac in 43-point game; Iona Prep falls to St. Ray's
Kentucky commit Boogie Fland put on a legendary performance with a 43-point, 11-rebound double-double to lift Stepinac in the CHSAA AA quarterfinals, while Iona Prep fell to St. Raymond. Read more on lohud.com
Villanova’s big second half results in 71-60 win over Providence
The Wildcats got a huge road win over Providence, where they held the Friars to 23 points and shot 70% from three in the second half. Read more on VU Hoops
Girls basketball: Albertus Magnus tops Ursuline for Section 1 Class AA title
After back-to-back finals heartbreaks in recent years, the third time was the charm for Albertus Magnus. Read more on lohud.com
Girls basketball: Panas holds off Hen Hud to repeat as Section 1 Class A champs
Once they had a taste of championship euphoria last season, the Panas Panthers wanted to experience it all over again. They returned to the top as section title-winners. Read more on lohud.com
Wrestling: Final rankings for the 2023-24 season
After an action-packed season and the crowning of state champions, here are the end-of-season rankings for the high school wrestling season in the Lower Hudson Valley. Read more on lohud.com
Wrestling: Carmel's Venables, Fox Lane's Berisha are state runner-ups; 11 others all-state
For the first time since 2020, the Lower Hudson Valley had two wrestlers in the state finals. It was also a bounce-back year in Albany for the region, with 13 total all-state finishers. Read more on lohud.com
Complete list of 2024 medalists from the NYSPHSAA Division I and II wrestling championships
A complete list of state champions and all-state finishers from the NYSPHSAA Division I and II wrestling championships. Read more on lohud.com
NY state wrestling 2024: Live results from Division I large-school tournament
Complete round-by-round results for the NYSPHSAA Division I (large-school) tournament in Albany. Read more on lohud.com
NY state wrestling 2024: Live results from Division II small-school tournament
Complete round-by-round results for the NYSPHSAA Division II (small-school) tournament in Albany. Read more on lohud.com