The Yonkers High School Bulldogs Boys Varsity Basketball team came up just short on Friday night, falling 58–55 to the Saunders Blue Devils on December 19, 2025. The loss marks the Bulldogs’ second defeat of the season against Saunders in what has quickly become a competitive early-season matchup.
Yonkers opened the game with strong energy and execution, controlling the tempo on both ends of the floor. The Bulldogs built a solid lead by halftime, heading into the break up 38–24 after an impressive first half that showcased disciplined defense and efficient scoring.
However, momentum shifted coming out of the locker room. Saunders responded with urgency, opening the third quarter on a decisive 10–0 run that cut deeply into the Bulldogs’ lead. Yonkers struggled to regain its offensive rhythm, and turnovers began to pile up as the Blue Devils increased defensive pressure. Those miscues proved costly, as Saunders capitalized repeatedly on transition opportunities to swing the game in their favor.
Despite the challenges, the Bulldogs’ core contributors continued to compete. Justin Rosado led all Yonkers scorers with 17 points, once again demonstrating his consistency and ability to generate offense. Emil Boylein followed closely with 16 points, while senior Alex Gomez added 14 points, providing a steady presence throughout the contest.
Head Coach Julius Henry elected to stay with his starting five for extended stretches, a decision that ultimately limited the team’s ability to adjust as the game tightened late. Fatigue and continued turnovers hindered Yonkers’ ability to execute down the stretch, allowing Saunders to close out the comeback and secure the three-point victory.
With the loss, the Bulldogs move to 2–3 on the season. While the result was disappointing, the game offered valuable lessons as the team continues to build chemistry under Coach Henry in the early stages of the campaign.
The Bulldogs will look to regroup quickly as they hit the road for their next matchup. Yonkers travels north to face the Greenburgh-North Castle Knights on December 22 at 4:30 PM, aiming to bounce back and return to the win column.
