Jay Mahoney, left, who has 584 wins, two Bergen Jamboree titles and a Group 1 crown in 36 seasons as Bogota boys basketball coach, addressing the team Wednesday.

Jay Mahoney, left, who has 584 wins, two Bergen Jamboree titles and a Group 1 crown in 36 seasons as Bogota boys basketball coach, addressing the team Wednesday.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
By GREG MATTURA
STAFF WRITER | The Record

PHOTO BY GREG MATTURA

Tiny Bogota has not allowed the “devastating” loss of its best player to stand in the way of a drive toward a winning season and return to the state tournament.

The Bucs have recovered emotionally from losing senior standout Danny Connors to a season-ending shoulder injury and own a five-game winning streak.

Losing a potential 1,000-point career scorer the opening week of the season often is a season-ending setback for a Group 1 school, yet Bogota (6-5) has bounced back and is tied for second in the NJIC Patriot Division.

“It has been a pleasure to see the happiness on these kids’ faces with five wins in a row,” said the Bucs’ longtime coach, Jay Mahoney.

To continue reading story: http://www.northjersey.com/sports/h-s-boys-basketball-bogota-finds-winning-bond-after-loss-of-its-best-player-1.1241566