Dalton hosted a Blue Out on an evening when both varsity basketball games versus Ethical Culture Fieldston School carried first-place implications. The night began with Boys JV and Girls JV basketball. The boys faced Fieldston, while the girls took on Marymount. Community members of all ages filled the stands with blue, with many First Program and Middle School students coming out to show their support.

Girls Varsity Basketball followed with a 46–28 win over Ethical Culture Fieldston School, moving Dalton into a tie with Poly Prep Country Day School for first place in the Ivy League. Fieldston had entered the night as part of a three-way tie after defeating Dalton in December.

In the rematch, the Tigers trailed 9-3 early and 12-9 at the end of the first quarter. Freshman Whitney Tse then sparked a 13-0 run to open the second. Tse hit a pair of three-pointers and added a runner later in the frame, scoring eight points in the quarter. The Tigers built a 25-14 lead at halftime and stretched the advantage to 42-22 midway through the fourth.

“We played better once we saw the ball go in a few times,” head coach Sam Bergen said. “We got a couple stops in the second quarter and the pressure picked up defensively.”

Senior Astou Toure led the way with 18 points and 12 rebounds. The Tigers improved to 13-4 overall and 8-1 in league play. Dalton hosts nonconference opponent Staten Island Academy on Wednesday, February 4 at 5:45 PM.

Varsity Wrestling outlasted Long Island Lutheran 42-39. The Tigers trailed before senior Stephan Leathers won the deciding bout late in the dual. Junior Chris Brown and seniors Johji Nakada and Will Safranek also delivered victories, while three Tigers picked up wins by forfeit. The 6-4 Varsity Wrestling team followed Warren Hines Night with the Ivy Championships the following day at Trinity. Despite being shorthanded due to injuries and illness, Dalton still earned five medals. Safranek placed second at 215 lbs. Third-place finishers were Brown (150) and fellow juniors Errol Henry (132), Luke Muratore (165) and Jake Kleinhandler (175). The Tigers next compete at the NYSAIS Championships on Saturday, February 7 at Hackley.

To cap the night, Boys Varsity Basketball claimed sole possession of first place in the Ivy League with an 82–68 victory. The Tigers led 23-21 after the first quarter and 43-34 at halftime. Senior Noah Khalid ignited the crowd with a four-point play to begin the third quarter and went on to continue his historic season, finishing with 43 points. 

“It was really fun,” Khalid said. “We always look forward to this night. We came out ready and pumped up. That first quarter we got a little bit of a lead and held on to it throughout the course of the game. We’re really excited right now.”

Both Dalton and Fieldston entered the contest with one conference loss. Khalid drilled six three-pointers, while senior Alexander Mash and junior Kaya Karakaplan chipped in 14 points each.

“We were moving the ball and getting open shots,” Khalid said. “There wasn’t much set offense. Play fast and see what we get. The shots fell.”

The Tigers now stand 16-3 overall and 9-1 in the Ivy League. They next face Horace Mann at home on Wednesday, February 4 at 4:00 PM.

“I’m always amazed by how much spirit there is at Dalton,” Director of Athletics Teddy Frischling ’89 said. “I’m not surprised because I’ve seen, but each Warren Hines Night seems better than the last. The school and alumni love to rally behind it.”