Boys basketball: Greeley wins 12th straight to clinch league title

CHAPPAQUA - Gregory Karr understands how this looks. No, not even he could fathom what has happened, that Greeley and its first-year coach would turn a .500 team into one that hasn't lost in over a month.

"If you told me this in October or November, I wouldn't have expected this," Karr said.

The Quakers won their 12th straight Wednesday night, clinching the program's first league title in seven years with a 76-51 victory over Yorktown.

RANKINGS: Greeley lands at No. 10 in our latest boys basketball rankings

Sophomore Christopher Melis notched a career-high 33 points and grabbed seven rebounds as Greeley improved to a stunning 14-3.

"I think our record proves we are a good team," Melis said. "There are people who are going to doubt us and say we can't play with the Mount Vernons or the Clarkstowns."

"All of a sudden, we went from a .500 team to a team that is 14-3," added Karr, who had 15 points. "I don't think anybody really believes in us."

Not even the doubters could argue that the Quakers have thrived under first-year coach Felix Nicodemo. The former junior varsity coach at Westlake and White Plains, who is the younger brother of Saunders coach Anthony Nicodemo, replaced longtime coach Dave Fernandes in the offseason. He said one of the things he is proudest of is that the team launched its winning streak after losing three straight in December.

"I think that makes it even more special," he said.

Despite Melis' dominant effort in the paint Wednesday, Greeley has proved to be versatile and balanced. Brandon Gecaj had 11 points and Jeremy Block added six, but Gecaj, Block, Melis and Karr have all been capable of carrying the offensive load.

The Quakers have also been formidable in the fourth quarter, grinding out league wins on the road over Fox Lane, Ossining and Yorktown that were undecided until the final minutes.

"We've had a lot of games where we've been tested and we've been fortunate enough to come out with victories in some of them," Nicodemo said. "I think it's making us a better team."

And, yes, probably far better than anyone expected.

Follow Josh Thomson on Twitter and Instagram at @lohudinsider.