“I’m not comparing Ryan to Michael Jordan, but even MJ had good role players around him, and that’s exactly what we have here.”
That’s how Carle Place basketball coach John Cantwell describes star senior Ryan Leary and a team built for a championship run — much like the groups that helped carry Jordan to six NBA titles.
Now, the Frogs are just two wins away from history, chasing the program’s first-ever state title.
Leary, the school’s all-time leading scorer with more than 2,000 career points, has been at the center of it all. The 6-foot-3 point guard delivered the defining moment of Carle Place’s season in last weekend’s state quarterfinals, converting a four-point play while down three with under five seconds remaining.
“It was really cool coming in to school on Monday, having teachers come up to me and telling me how awesome that was,” Leary told Greater Long Island before boarding the bus to Binghamton for the state semifinals. “It’s definitely fun hearing from people that I haven’t heard from in a long time to say congratulations.”
Leary’s varsity journey began early — he was called up for a playoff game as an eighth grader — and he says the dream has always been a state title. He grew up watching his three older sisters, Erin, Amanda and Caitlin, come close.
“I had a lot to live up to, but they inspired me,” said Ryan. “They were all such amazing players, and I always said I hope I’m as good as them one day.”
All three sisters scored more than 1,000 career points, but Ryan has carved out his own legacy. In addition to basketball, he helped lead the Frogs’ soccer team to a state title last year and is also a standout wide receiver and kicker on the football team. Last month, he committed to play both basketball and football at Pace University.
“He’s the best male athlete to ever come out of Carle Place,” said Cantwell. “And he’s such a humble kid. He’s going to be missed.”
This weekend will mark the final time Leary suits up in a Carle Place basketball uniform — but there’s still one more goal within reach.
“I don’t even know what that would feel like, but I imagine it will be the greatest feeling in the world,” said Leary with a smile. “Winning the state title in soccer junior year was the coolest thing, but this is my senior year — and I like hoops more.”
The road continues Thursday, when Carle Place faces first-year program KIPP Charter School from the Albany area in the state semifinals at 4:15 p.m. The state championship game is set for Friday at 6 p.m.
Top: Carle Place’s Ryan Leary. (Credit: Andrew Rappaport)
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