James Lampone

Coaching to impact the lives of the youth

[James Lampone @coachLampone]

Do. You. Believe?

[The Yankee Report @YankeeReport_]

Goated Judge gif

[James Lampone @coachLampone]

@CoachMcWill Absolute best! Proud of you man, keep the memory train rolling!

[James Lampone @coachLampone]

@TalkinYanks That’s baseball Susan

[Kevin Devaney Jr. @KDJmedia1]

Waking up tomorrow and driving to Binghamton to cover Tappan Zee boys basketball attempt to win a second state championship in three years.

If you said that to me 15 years agp, I would not have believed it. What this program has become - and been able to sustain for well over a decade - is nothing short of remarkable.

I often think back to the pre-TZ Era in Section 1 basketball. Peekskill owned the Gold Ball in Class A. Tappan Zee couldn't compete.

Tonight, while doing some research, I was reminded of one of the most ridiculous article I was ever forced to write.

In Feb. 2009 when I was writing for @lohudsports. We had a sports editor who often came up with crazy ideas for stories. And I used to think I was being punished for having to pursue them.

NBA All-Star Weekend that year was going to feature a live game of HORSE with a young Kevin Durant. My editor thought it would be a fun story to relate to high school players and if they play HORSE. I got the short straw and had to do the story. The other reporters, if I recall, laughed as I walked out.

The 28-year old sat at my desk thinking how dumb this was and, after pondering quitting, I made a short list of people I could call and see if they'd take part.

George Gaine was at the top of the list.

I didn't really know Gaine well back then. But I knew he wouldn't hang up the phone when I called and told him the story idea. In my mind, Tappan Zee was never really going to be in the picture of contending teams. We rarely ever covered Tappan Zee games. They would probably appreciate any kind of press. Throw them a bone. Spread the love to a school nobody ever hears about. And get this stupid assignment over with.

Gaine was all-in on the story. He claimed they played HORSE all the time and invited me and a photographer over to practice for interviews and photos. I go and meet George and some players. They were awesome and very into the story. I realized maybe I needed to lighten up and it inspired me to put far more effort into the story than I originally intended.

It was also the first time I had ever heard the names Joe Letizia, Ryan O'Rourke and Pat Peterson; three players who changed TZ basketball forever. And I vividly remember thinking 'Damn, they dudes are really good at HORSE.' Pat was basically unbeatable.

They ended up being good at basketball, too.

The next March, that trio led Tappan Zee to its first ever Section 1 championship, highlighted by a stunning semifinal upset of Peekskill. Two years after that, Letizia and Peterson were part of the greatest upset in state tournament history when Tappan Zee beat four-time state champ Jamesville-DeWitt in Glens Falls. Peterson could have beaten Larry Bird in HORSE that day.

Days after the story published, Tappan Zee lost as the 12 seed in the first round of the Class A playoffs to rival Pearl River. The game was a turning point in the program's history.

Tappan Zee brought the whole team back and won the first of now four Gold Balls the next season, and has been one of the standards of Section 1 basketball ever since. Nobody ever saw this coming.

And it all started with HORSE.

[BillPilla @bill_pilla]

Way to go Ben!

[James Lampone @coachLampone]

Tomorrow is COLE DAY!

[James Lampone @coachLampone]

@HorsemenHoops @Horsemen_Sports @KDJmedia1 @lohudsports Being apart of something special is something I will remember forever! Best of luck on your next chapter.

[Hoop Herald @TheHoopHerald]

JUMP STOPS AND SHOT FAKES

You have to rep it, but at the high school and college level it’s a game changer

Less turnovers + more free throws = Good Chance of Winning

(Via @imjohnbrennan 🎥)

[James Lampone @coachLampone]

https://t.co/UorpkD6DLV

[James Lampone @coachLampone]

THE SEASON IS HERE! #TZJVFootball #TZFootball #Football #coaching #coach #motivation #fitness #mindset #training #o #business #lifecoach #n #a #leadership #love #inspiration #success #lifestyle #lifecoaching #mindfulness #life #sport #goals

[James Lampone @coachLampone]

Batman and Robin locked in on the 2023 JV Football season! LETS GO! @CoachMcWill #Family #TZJVFootball

[Coach the Coaches @WinningCoaches]

THE PREPARATION IS BIGGER THAN THE GAME

“It’s what you’re willing to do to get ready to play this game. You can’t cheat this game." (Herm Edwards)

[James Lampone @coachLampone]

If you know me, this is me! #sportscoach #fitness #sportscoaching #sports #coach #sport #coaching #athlete #football #running #trackandfield #footballcoach #trackandfieldlife #personaltrainer #instarunners #cleansport #run #marathon #track #coachinglife

[Kevin Devaney Jr. @KDJmedia1]

As you know at LocalLive, we produce hundreds of games per day. This season we’ve enjoyed watching the increase in Unified and Pioneer basketball contests.

Here’s why. This is from the Ossining-Hen Hud game this week.

@HenHudAthletics @MrHerrera_AD @OSSATHLETICS @locallivenet

[James Lampone @coachLampone]

Aaron Judge is good at baseball… That’s the tweet.

[James Lampone @coachLampone]

@TalkinYanks You mean they aren’t playing with a left fielder

[Ryan McWilliams @CoachMcWill]

COLLEGE 🏀 COACHES

If you need a tough 2 guard that shoots the 3 at a high clip, defends, and is coming off a state title win in NYS, please DM me. Jack Maloney (TZ) is an absolute steal and is still has yet to commit to a school. High character & high academics as well. 16.2ppg