STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— Confetti rarely covers courts after a regular-season hoops win, but it was more than fitting on Wednesday evening following Staten Island Academy’s 69–51 triumph over ACIS foe Avenues.
The victory not only moved the Tigers to a perfect 14–0 on the season, but also represented a major milestone for longtime head coach Mike Mazella, who earned the 300th win of his career — becoming just the sixth bench boss in borough history to reach the mark.
“It’s unbelievable right now; it’s a surreal feeling,” a delighted Mazella, in his 22nd season at the helm, said after the game.
Avenues vs. Staten Island Academy
“You look at the other names up there, and they’re almost mythical. To be associated with them now is something I never would have dreamed of when I started. 300 wins was never a goal; I guess longevity has its rewards. But this season is about the team. I’ll reflect on this later — maybe years from now — with pride. But right now, my pride is with them. They’re 14–0, they’re on a special journey, and they deserve all the attention," he went on.
In addition to thanking the team that propelled him to his 300th win, Mazella also expressed gratitude for his family, saying he’s “blessed with such a great support system.”
“My wife’s a saint, my kids are great; without family support, you’re not going to be successful or have the longevity I’ve had on the bench. I’m incredibly grateful, and I want to thank them all.”
Mazella’s 300th victory officially marked the second time this season a borough coach reached the milestone, following MSIT’s Charlie Donohue just over a month ago. It’s the first time since veteran St. Peter’s coach Charlie Driscoll in 2018 that a borough coach — let alone two — has reached 300 wins, making the 2025–26 season a historic one for Staten Island basketball.
As for the contest itself, the Tigers earned the victory with a steady, well-paced performance. After taking a 33–25 lead into halftime, SIA outscored Avenues by a nearly identical 36–26 margin over the final two quarters, sustaining a strong offensive rhythm and consistent defensive pressure throughout.
“I never have to get them ready to play — they’re self-starters, and that makes them easy to work with. We simplified things this year, I trusted them more, and I think they trust me. I threw out the playbook a bit. In the past we were too heavy on play calls; now they appreciate the freedom, they trust the process, and the results have been there," Mazella said of the Tigers’ week-to-week reliability.
The victory was fueled by the continued stellar partnership of dynamic guard Danny Nowak (23 points) and shot-blocking big man Luke DeVito (12 points), a duo Mazella said has excelled all season.
“Danny was on with his three-pointers today, and Luke’s been making plays all year. I think he’s one of the top closers on the Island — second chances, offensive rebounds— he’s great at that. And Danny has a great chance to hit 1,000 points soon. He was 40 away coming into this game, so hopefully on Friday or Saturday he’ll get that. Those guys have put a lot of work into their game, and we’re reaping the benefits of it now," he shared.
Mazella credited his team’s perimeter defense and timely shot-making as keys to victory against one of the ACIS’ top teams, with Avenues currently ranked third in the league.
“Defending the three has been a priority all year, and we made them uncomfortable, though they did hurt us down low. We knew they were big and strong on the offensive boards, but we got enough steals and run-outs, and while our half-court offense stalled at times, we made the big shots when we needed to,” he explained.
Lastly, while it would be easy for Mazella to rest on his well-earned laurels, the history-making coach said there’s still plenty he and his team hope to accomplish this season.
“We set our goals at the beginning of the year — win the ACIS, make a strong showing in the tournament, and compete for the Borough President’s Cup. The kids are excited to be part of it, and after last year’s first win there, they want to make even more noise," he concluded.
