Tappan Zee advanced to the state final four earlier today against Section 8’s Baldwin with a 44-38 win in the NYSPHSAA Class AA regional final at Yorktown High School.
The Dutchmen set the defensive tone early, limiting Baldwin to just five points in the first quarter, ending the period with a 12-5 lead. Tappan Zee would stay in front through the rest of the game, building up to a 32-24 lead in the 3rd quarter. The Bruins would show signs of life late, closing the gap to 33-30 with 4 minutes to play.
Tommy Linehan as usual, was the engine that was the driving force for Tappan Zee, his 10 points by halftime setting the tone, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Teammate Isaiah Leveille added 11 points and 6 rebounds for the Dutchmen.
This regional final was a throwback to classic Tappan Zee basketball—low-scoring, physical, and defense-driven. Their recent postseason play has echoed the 2023 Class A state championship run, where they similarly relied on grit and team basketball to grind out wins. That year, they defeated Irondequoit 49-36 in the state final, allowing just 14 points in the second half. The 2025 Dutchmen, though perhaps not quite as offensively prolific as their predecessors, have been displaying the same defensive DNA that has become a hallmark of the program.
With the win, Tappan Zee advances to the NYSPHSAA Class AA state semifinals against Section 4’s Binghamton at 2:30pm on Thursday.
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