Feb. 5, 2024
By Nikalena Iacono
Editor
Senior forward Anthony Pizzuti made history during a home basketball game against Cresskill High School on Jan. 31.
During the fourth quarter, with about two minutes left, Pizzuti broke LHS’ all-time boys basketball scoring record, which was previously held by Class of 1987 graduate Scott Ryder with 1,212 points. Pizzuti scored 35 points in the game to surpass Ryder’s record by two points.
“It felt great, but I didn’t expect to break it [that] night. My shot wasn’t falling, and my back was killing me,” Pizzuti said.
Pizzuti also made history in an away basketball game against Hasbrouck Heights High School on Jan. 10.
During the third quarter, Pizzuti scored his thousandth point for LHS, becoming the third male in LHS history to attain this achievement.
Pizzuti said scoring 1,000 points was an experience he will never forget.
“Anthony is like an Energizer Bunny. He has a great motor on the floor, and he adds energy, athleticism and toughness to our team.”
“I never thought I would come close to hitting 1,000 points,” Pizzuti said. “I was nervous before the game because a lot of people came to see me hit it, so I felt a lot of pressure.”
Pizzuti is no stranger to breaking records. Last season, he broke the school record for points scored in a single game during a home game on Feb. 7, 2023 against Kearny High School with 53 points.
Head Coach Mosca, who is in his second season coaching the team, said Pizzuti can score from almost anywhere on the court.
“Anthony is like an Energizer Bunny. He has a great motor on the floor, and he adds energy, athleticism and toughness to our team,” Mosca said.
He said Pizzuti’s performance on the court helped the team accomplish its goal of winning a league title on Jan. 29 in an away game against Rutherford High School.
“I just let him play because I know if he goes, our team goes, so [I] put him in situations [that] play to his strengths,” Mosca said. “Anthony is very athletic and is a great finisher around the rim.”
Senior captain and point guard Matthew Slaby, who has played on varsity with Pizzuti since their sophomore year, said besides being teammates, he and Pizzuti are best friends.
“His best trait as an athlete is [that] he isn’t scared of anyone, and as a person, he is very outgoing. He loves socializing with others,” Slaby said.
Slaby described Pizzuti as unorthodox.
“He is very different [from] other people. He just thinks outside the box a lot,” Slaby said.
He said he is proud of Pizzuti for his achievements on the court.
“It’s crazy to see those accomplishments finally come true after all the years we have played together,” said Slaby.
