LONG ISLANDERS IN THE TRANSFER PORTAL
Jordan Dingle/LWA to St. John's
Fousseyni Drame/OSNA to Duquesne
Hassan Drame/OSNA to Duquesne
Malik Edmead/Deer Park to Merrimack
Louis Hutchinson/LuHi to Charleston So.
Essam Mostafa/LuHi to TCU
Michael O’Connell/Chaminade to NC State
Rafael Pinzon/LuHi to Bryant
Frankie Policelli/LuHi to C. of Charleston
Jordan Riley/Brentwood to Temple
Andre Snoddy/St. Anth. to Stony Brook.
LONG ISLAND'S
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE!
OVER 6 MILLION VISITORS!
LEAGUE SHAKEUPS
TEAM LONG ISLAND UPDATE
ELIMINATED IN SWEET 16
Team Long Island was shorthanded, this time playing the biggest game of the season without their point guards and starting big men. Not many teams would remain competitive, but this team gave eventual IS8 Champion Rundown, with three future D1 players on their roster, a scare before falling in the Sweet 16 round. A special thanks to Deer Park's Nate Gordon, who didn't know he was starting at the point until game time, and who played his heart out. The whole team played with confidence and pride against a bigger, more athletic opponent and represented Long Island well.
IS8 PLAYOFF ROSTER
After four pool games and a dozen practices, these are the players that were chosen to represent Long Island in the IS8 Playoffs:
KJ Anderson/Farmingdale
Elijah Darby/Freeport
David DeBusschere/Chaminade
Nate Gordon/Deer Park
Muneer Ibrahim/East Meadow
Kazmin Pensa-Johnson/Hampton Bays
Jakai Lester/Wantagh
James Murphy/South Side
Derek Reed/Southampton
Colin Strohm/Comsewogue
Maksim Vukcevic/Knox
Carter Wilson/SJB
LONG ISLAND'S
ALL-COLLEGIATE TEAMS
Player of Year:
Jordan Dingle/Valley Stream
Player of the Year
Daren Furgus/Freeport
Player of the Year
Alex Sobel/Ward Melville
Player of the Year
Jasigha Barnes/Baldwin
TEAM LONG ISLAND UPDATE
FINISHES POOL PLAY 3-1
Team Long Island bounced back to defeat the Ben Gordon All-Stars and qualify for the playoffs. Big games from Wantagh's Jakai Lester and Southampton's Derek Reed, but Chaminade's David DeBusschere was the hero, scoring 16 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead the way.
BIGGEST AND BEST EVER?
The 2023 New York Holiday Invitational Showcase is shaping up to be the biggest and best ever. Local teams entered so far:
Baldwin
Elmont
LWA
Port Washington
St. John The Baptist
Smithtown West
Syosset
Plus teams from NYC, Westchester, Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania! Join us Saturday, December 30th for a great new Long Island tradition!
MORE DETAILS SOON
THE LONG ISLAND CONNECTION AT ST. JOHN'S
Long Islander's have always been a big part of the St. John's basketball program, and with St. Dom's grad Rick Pitino in charge and Valley Stream's Jordan Dingle joining the program coming off an Ivy League Player Of The Year season, it looks like that will continue. Key past players:
STOPPED BY LIVE PERIOD
Extra years of eligibility for college players has many seniors still out on the AAU circuit looking for college or prep school roster spots, so Team Long didn't have a single starter in their 16-point loss to an undefeated team from Philly, falling to 2-1 at IS8 and making their final pool game a big one.
OPENS IS8 WITH SWEEP
The finalists from the the last IS8 Tournament opened the spring event with a sweep to start off 2-0.
KOPP TAKES DUNK CONTEST
GARSIDE REPEATS AS
THREE-POINT CHAMPION
Dylan Kopp from the LuHi PSAA Team was the surprise Alzheimer's dunk contest champion, with Aiden Swinson of Bay Shore finishing second and Kazmin Pensa-Johnson from Hampton Bays third.
Matt Garside won the three-point shooting contest for the second straight year, edging out Kings Park teammate Thomas Matoni, and Chris Buzzaid from Centereach finished third.
FARMINGDALE TEAM CAMP
Half Hollow Hills East appears to be shaping up as a serious contender this season, winning the annual Farmingdale State Spring Team Camp Championship against an impressive group of teams that included Baldwin, Bayport-Blue Point, Commack, Deer Park, Elmont, Farmingdale, Holy Trinity, Kings Park, Manhasset, Mount Sinai, Northport, Plainview, Valley Stream Central, and Valley Stream North. Farmingdale also had a good showing, finishing 2nd while Baldwin and Manhasset were semifinalists
MAY/JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2023
CAMP SESSIONS ARE SELLING OUT!
Many sessions are already sold out! If you need to find a good one, act quickly!
TOP COACHES HONORED
Six great east end high school basketball coaches were honored at a ceremony in Bridgehampton. STORY
PORT SPRING LEAGUE CHAMPS
Port Washington defeated Manhasset 75-65 for the NCPAL Spring League Championship STORY
LONG ISLAND'S HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER LEAGUES
Great high school basketball action continues right through the summer. Enjoy first rate competition as teams begin to take shape heading into the 2023-24 season!
LI COMES UP SHORT AT
ALL-STAR HOOPS FESTIVAL
All-Star teams from all over New York State competed in front of college coaches this past weekend at the BCANY Summer Hoops Festival. This year's Boys Champion was the Capital Region All-Star team, made up of players from in and around Albany. 2019 Champion Suffolk finished in 6th place and Nassau in 8th. ROSTERS
ALUMNI CHAMPIONSHIPS
Bay Shore Defeated Freeport 73-63 to win the 2023 Alumni Team Championship at the Rivalries Never Die Tournament held at SUNY Old Westbury. The Marauders alumni defeated Wyandanch in the Suffolk County Championship Game, while Freeport upended defending champion Malverne for the Nassau County title. COVERAGE
TEAM LONG ISLAND TRYOUT INVITATIONS
The first round of tryout invitations for Long Island's Dream Team are out!
You can accept your invitation HERE
KNICKS ADD LONG ISLANDER
We just discovered that Khalid Moore, who was just added to the Knicks Summer League Roster and who helped lead the resurgence of the Fordham program last season, is from Elmont! After the season he had at Fordham, he is deserving of a spot on the Long Island All-Collegiate Team, and we have added him to that.
NEWSDAY SPORTS EDITOR NORM COHEN PASSES
Highly respected sports jounalist succumbs to cancer at age 73 STORY
SECTION 11/REFS AGREE
The two sides avoided a stoppage and agreed on a three-year contract that raises official's per game compensation. There is a nationwide shortage of officials.
D2 PROSPECT CAMP
A Long Island based D2 program is giving Long Island's best a chance to show what they can do! Molloy University is holding a prospect camp for high school aged players on Saturday August 19. There will be a 10 am session and a 2 pm session. Cost is $100. This is your chance to impress the Molloy coaching staff and compete for a spot on a D2 roster! For additional information: Email Coach Capriola: [email protected]
SECTION 11 ENDS SUFFOLK COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS
The unique 45-year-old tradition of crowning one overall Suffolk County Champion has come to an end. STORY
CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
KENNEDY PARK SUMMER LEAGUE
FINAL: Sewanhaka defeated Port Washington 55-41. Finished undefeated.
SEMIFINALS: Sewanhaka beat VS North, Port Washington beat Baldwin
Sewanhaka's Jordan Tucker and Dylan McLennon led the way in both games.
NCPAL SUMMER LEAGUE
FINAL: Great Neck North 83 Jericho 64
SEMIFINALS: GNN 58 Wantagh 45
Jericho 62 North Shore 55 COVERAGE
BROOKHVEN SUMMER LEAGUE
LARGE SCHOOL FINAL
William Floyd 62 Stony Brook 51
SMALL SCHOOL FINAL
Southampton 42 East Islip 40 OT
Naevon Williams hit the game winner
WEST BABYLON SUMMER LEAGUE
FINAL: Farmingdale 54 Bay Shore 47 OT
Jake Mangio and JJ Collins both had big games. Mangio was named MVP
ELMONT SUMMER LEAGUE
FINAL: Construction 51 Baldwin 43
SEMIS: Baldwin 41 QHST 35
ST. ANTHONY'S SUMMER LEAGUE
FINAL: Hills East 48 St. Anthony's 42
Brandon Varlack 17 pts, Ryan Zeh 10 pts
SEMIS: Hills East 52 Northport 41
Jordan Heyman 14 pts, Skyler Ellis 10
WORLD CUP WORLD CLASS?
Many of the world's elite players are not playing. STORY
DATES, TEAMS, AND MORE
LONG ISLAND AT WORLD CUP
Long Island's Lester Quinones will be playing for The Dominican Republic team at the 2023 Basketball Word Cup
RULE DIFFERENCES STORY
EDITOR'S READING LIST
COACHING CREDENTIALS
The NFHS has unveiled a new National Coaching Credentials program. The three-level credential is designed to keep high school coaches engaged in professional development throughout the year and will be offered online through the NFHS Learning Center. MORE
FLASHBACK: 60 YEARS AGO!
The 1963 All-Long Island Team
1st Team
Jim Boshart Whitman
Ted Carter Oceanside
Carl Menendez St. Agnes
Al Schwartz Chaminade
Harold Wright Uniondale
2nd Team
Brian Apsland Babylon
Skip Hepburn Lindenhurst
Charles Meehwart Hauppauge
Rudy Waterman Westbury
Wandy Williams Malverne
BIG COACHING CHANGES OUT EAST
The legendary Bridgehampton Killer Bees basketball program, with more New York State titles than any other program but Mount Vernon, is welcoming back Hall of Fame Coach Carl Johnson, who is coming out of retirement to replace his successor, Ron White. White accepted a position at The Stony Brook School, a private school program that has a great history and has been gaining strength in the very competitive PSAA, which also includes Portledge, LWA, Knox and the rapidly improving LuHi Regional program. In addition, former Pierson and Current East Hampton Coach Dan White will be returning to Sag Harbor to coach his hometown team, replacing Will Fujita, who took a job in his hometown Southold school district. White did an excellent job of rebuilding the Bonacker basketball program, and now takes over a Pierson team that Fujita took to the NYSPHSAA Regional Finals last season with a very young roster. With just about everybody back, they should challenge for a state title this season, although it remains to be seen how the big shakeup in school classifications will affect the program, and actually, all of these programs. The East Hampton position remains open.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
RETURNING ALL-NY STATE
We have 20 All-New York State basketball players returning this season, led by First Team selection V.J. Edgecombe from Long Island Lutheran. LIST
BCANY AWARDS
2023 Basketball Coaches Association of New York awards:
SECTION 8 COACHES OF THE YESR
SECTION 11 COACHES OF THE YEAR
PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
ALL-SECTION 8 PLAYERS
ALL-SECTION 11 PLAYERS
HS RULES CHANGES
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)has announced the following rules changes for the 2023-24 basketball season. STORY
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS CANCELLED!
The New York Federation State Championship Tournament, which brings together the champions of the CHSAA, PSAL, NYSPHSAA, and NYSAIS to determine one overall New York State Champion, has been cancelled for the 2023=24 season. Held upstate, the long trip for New York City area fans - typically 3 of the four teams in each class are from the New York City Metropolitan area - has led to small crowds. The obvious solution is to move it downstate, where the PSAL vs CHSAA game alone would pack any gym, as would any game involved a Long Island or Westchester team playing a NYC team, but the organizers, who understand the problem, have been unable to find a downstate venue. We hope they don't give up trying, and we will do everything we can to help.
LONG ISLAND AT WORLD CUP
Patrick Gardner, who starred at Calhoun, Nassau Community College, and Marist, just signed a contract with the Brooklyn Nets, and had 20 points and 7 rebounds in Egypt's win over Mexico in the World Cup. STORY
VJ EDGECOMBE FIVE STAR
After a great 2022-23 season and a very productive offseason, LuHi's VJ Edgecombe is now rated a five star recruit and #6 in the class of 24 by 24/7 Sports.
BECOME AN OFFICIAL!
There is a shortage of basketball officials! It's a great way to get back on the court and get involved! MORE
LONG ISLAND ADVANCES
Their backs against the wall after a split opening weekend, Long Island's Dream Team bounced back with an impressive sweep to finish pool play at 3-1 and advance to the NIKE/IS8 Tip Off Classic playoffs. COVERAGE
BAY SHORE RELOADS
Carter Wison, the All-New York State starting point guard on SJB's 20-5 team last season as a sophomore, and Christian Smiley, Amityville's leading scorer and rebounder last season, have both transferred to Bay Shore. Both players are also Team Long Island selections!
LI NETS START 11/10
The Long Island Nets open their season on November 10th at Nassau Colliseum, with Calhoun's Patrick Gardner on the roster! Training Camp starts 10/31 STORY
APPRECIATION DAYS!
December 5-7 have been designated as
OFFICIALS APPRECIATION DAYS
while January 9-11 have been designated
COACHES APPRECIATION DAYS
It's our chance to show some love for the people that give so much of their time to our game!
EARLIEST HS TRYOUT DATES
NSCHSAA: 11/10
NYSAIS: 11/1
SECTION 8: 11/13
SECTION 11: 11/13
DYLAN AND KAYDEN MINGO
AT USA TEAM CAMP
Team Long Island's Dylan and Kayden Mingo, who play for Long Island Lutheran, are at the 2023 USA Men's Jr. National Team Minicamp. along with LuHi teammate Kiyan Anthony.
GRASSO TAKES LEAVE
Long Island's Jared Grasso, who has done a great job building the Bryant basketball program, getting them to the 2022 NCAA Tournament, has taken a leave of absence from the program. Grasso was allegedly involved in a hit and run car accident that damaged another car, which he denies. No explanation has been given by either Grasso or the school.
UPDATE: Prosecutors have dropped hit-and-run charge against Bryant University coach Jared Grasso
LWA REBUILDING
When an all-time great coach like Jeff Weis retires (625 career wins and 8 NYSAIS State Championships), it takes time for the program to regroup, but the Lawrence Woodmere Academy Tigers are on their way. Last season, new Head Coach Hank William took the Tigers to the Western Division title of the PSAA with a very young team, led by his son Hank, who knocked down 73 three pointers as an 8th grader! This year, after adding some more key pieces, they placed 3 players on the team that will represent Nassau County in the Alzheimer's Game. In the LWA tradition, they are looking forward to a big season.
PLAYER UPDATES
Team Long Island's Jordan Gabriel was a standout at the Tom Konchalsky Senior Showcase. VSN's Dominic Obukwelu was a standout at the NYC Academic Elite Camp. Christian Smiley from Bay Shore and Dylan Kopp from the Stony Brook School were both named to the BCANY Summer Hoops Festival All-Tournament Team.
ELIMINATED IN ELITE 8
One win away from their fourth appearance in the Final Four at NIKE/IS8, Team Long Island fell to a very good and well coached team from Connecticut in a tightly contested game. Team Long Island won their Sweet 16 match-up with a very balanced attack, led once again by Luke Seltzer from Pierson, who had 10 points and was their leading scorer for the tournament. Jaggar Bascombe from St. Mary's, also a consistent threat, added 8 points, Aaron Durant, another key player from St. Mary's, Naevon Williams (Jenkins) from Southampton, and Carter Wilson from Bay Shore all had 7, and Christian Smiley from Bay Shore and Dylan Kopp from Stony Brook both finished with 6. ROSTER
SPRAINS AND STRAINS
What's the difference? ARTICLE
THANK YOU
PREMIER BASKETBALL!
On behalf of the Long Island Basketball community, we would
like to thank Darren Schneider and Rob Pavinelli of Premier Basketball in Hauppauge for their generous contributions of court
time in support of both Team Long Island and The Alzheimer's All-Star Game. If not for their invaluable contributions, year after year, it would have been difficult for both
to have become the great Long Island traditions that they are.
JORDAN DINGLE INTERVIEW
St. John's produced an interview with Jordan Dingle, who is from Valley Stream and played at Lawrence Woodmere Academy. Last season, he was the Ivy League Player of The Year, and this season, he joins St. Doms grad Rick Pitino at St. John's. INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
PLAYER UPDATE
Hills West's Tobias Harris will have a bigger role with new coach. STORY
North Babylon's Danny Green, who signed a non-guaranteed contract with the 76ers, made the regular season roster. Baldwin's Jared Rhoden,
fighting for a roster spot on the Pistons, helped his case with a 14 point, 4 rebound, 3 assist and 2 steals night in their final preseason game. Calhoun's Patrick Gardner stuck with the Brooklyn Nets all preseason but was finally cut. He is expected to sign with their G League affiliate Long Island Nets.
Brentwood's Lester Quinones, last season's G-League MVP, still has a spot on the Golden State roster, but final cuts have yet to be made.
LUHI GETS STRONGER
The defending New York State Champion Long Island Lutheran Crusaders have made some key additions to the team after losing two key starters - New York State Class AA Player of The Year Jayden Reid and fellow All-New York State selection Jayden Ross - to graduation. They have added Alier Maluk, a 6-foot-8 forward from Pittsburgh, who transfers in for his junior year and already has multiple D1 offers, and fellow junior Nigel James, a point guard that grew up in Huntington and came to the Crusaders from Cushing Academy. He too has multiple D1 offers. The two join Kiyan Anthony - Carmelo Anthony's son - who transferred in last year and becomes eligible this season.
FARMINGDALE TEAM CAMP
Farmingdale State College, one of the top D3 programs in the region, holds great team camps, and this year's fall camp was one of their best, with programs from Nassau, Suffolk, and New York City represented. St. Peter's, a CHSAA team from Staten Island, was particularly impressive, rolling past Bay Shore and Chaminade, and so was Northport, with impressive wins over Manhasset and St. John's Prep. Hills East looked good too, beating Chaminade and Sewanhaka, and so did Port Washington, with wins over and St. Anthony's and St. John's Prep. Holy Trinity looked like they might be the best NSCHSAA team, knocking off Longwood and Academy Charter, but teams are often shorthanded this time of year, so we'll 'll see.
DINGLE MISSES EXCITING
ST. JOHN'S EXHIBITION WIN
LI NETS MEDIA DAY
We’re considering stepping up our coverage of Long Island’s pro basketball team this season, particularly if the two Long Island natives on the training camp roster, Patrick Gardner from Merrick and Terry Roberts from Amityville, make the team. Step one in the process was to attend media day and start to get a feel for the team and the organization, and it turned out to be a valuable experience. New head coach Mfon Udofia kicked things off, and Coach Udofia has a good background, with both G-League and overseas experience, an excellent demeanor, and is genuinely excited to get things started. His primary goal, and the goal of all G-League coaches, is to identify and prepare players for the NBA, all while putting together a competitive team from a roster that is almost completely overhauled every year. The 2023-24 Long Island Nets are no exception, with just three returning players from a team that earned the #1 seed last season with a 23-9 record but was upset in the Playoffs. All three returnees, Kameron Hankerson, Trey McGowens, and Kavion Pippen, spoke to the media and all agree they had a great experience last season, are honored to play in a building where Dr. J once played, and are really looking forward to leading this year’s team, both on the court and in the locker room. The two Long Islanders wrapped up the interviews, with Patrick Gardner up first. Patrick has grown 3 inches since he played at Calhoun and is now 6’11. He is fresh off a solid World Cup performance for the Turkish National Team and a big senior season at Marist, and was invited to the Brooklyn Nets training camp because of it. He talked about his unique path to the pros, which included stops at the Junior College and Division 2 levels, his Turkish roots, and living out a dream to play professional basketball. Terry Roberts wrapped things up. Terry had a great season at Georgia last year and was invited to camp based on an excellent performance at an open tryout. He talked about taking advantage of the transfer portal to get to Georgia, what is was like there, and the open tryout experience. Both players are thrilled to kick off their pro careers in front of friends and family, and can’t wait to play at Nassau Coliseum. With 22 players in camp, making the team won’t be easy, but Coach Udofia had nothing but good things to say about both of them, so it looks like they might both have a legitimate shot. MORE
ST. JOHN'S OVER-HYPED?
I'm not sure I've ever seen a publicity campaign that compares to the one St. John's launched with the arrival of Rick Pitino. The marketing blitz seems to have had its intended effect, generating media coverage, preseason national rankings, and presumedly selling tickets. But will this team be able to live up to all the hype? Even the most talented teams take time to gel, and the Jonnies have a whopping 12 new players on their roster. It's going to be a tall task, and early results - Struggling to beat Rutgers at home, a teamed picked to finish 8th in the Big Ten, and then losing to D2 Post in exhibition games - has to be some cause for concern. EDITORS NOTE: In their first test of the season, St. John's lost 89-73 to Michigan, projected to finish towards the bottom of the Big Ten
PLAYER UPDATES
Brentwood’s Lester Quinones made the roster and had 5 points in Golden State’s win over New Orleans... Holy Trinity’s and Hempstead’s Camren Wynter, who played at Penn State, has joined the Temple coaching staff... Coram's and Stony Brook School's Chase Audige signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Washington Wizards ... Valley Stream’s Hall Elysias is playing professionally in Spain, and opened the season with a 19 point, 8 rebound, and 3 block game for Oviedo... St. Anthony’s and Amityville's Tyrone Lyons, who played for Team Long Island, is playing professionally in Serbia... Elmont’s KC Ndefo is playing professionally in the Dominican Republic, and another former Elmont player, Pauly Paulicap, is playing professionally in Italy.
76ERS WAIVE DANNY GREEN
The Harden trade added 4 new players to Philly's roster, so more cuts are coming.
ALZHEIMER'S RECAPS
The Alzheimer's games were played in Brentwood this year, and Nassau pulled away from Suffolk-74-59 in the girl's game, with Sonia Maldonado from St. Mary's the MVP. It was a different story on the boy's side, with Suffolk outbattling Nassau 84-78 in a barn burner led by MVP Reggie Pierre from the Knox school.
FALL LEAGUES
Nassau County PAL
Championship Game
Port Washington 80 Manhasset 65
Semifinals
Port Washington 81 East Meadow 66
Manhasset 65 Great Neck South 55
RETURNING COACHES
There is an interesting phenomenon going on this season. An unusual number of the coaches on our new coaches list are actually returning coaches coming back to the same school after leaving or retiring. They are:
Bridgehampton - Carl Johnson
East Hampton - Billy McKee
Hills West - Bill Mitaritonna
Pierson - Dan White
A big "Welcome Back" to them all!
OLD FACES IN NEW PLACES
KJ Anderson
13.9 ppg at Farmingdale to Knox School
Tayshawn Bumpers
8.1 ppg at Central Islip to Bay Shore
Dylan Kopp
LuHi PSAA to Stony Brook School
Reggie Pierre
16.5 ppg at West Islip to Knox School
Chris Smiley
16.2 ppg at Amityville to Bay Shore
Jawuan Smith
12.1 ppg at SJB to William Floyd
Brandon Torres
14.8 ppg at Portledge to St Dominic
Carter Wilson
13.6 ppg at SJB to Bay Shore
If you know anybody else that belongs on this list, let us know!
NEW HEAD COACHES
Academy Charter - Andre Edwards
Bridgehampton - Carl Johnson
Connetquot - Ryan Ingarozza
East Hampton - Billy McKee
Evergreen Charter - Dylan O'Connor
Freeport - Daryl Johnson
Harborfields - Joe Cavallaro
Herricks - Larry Steimer
Hewlett - Andy DeBernardo
Hills West - Bill Mitaritonna
Lawrence - Devine Smith
Lynbrook - Brian Donaldson
New Hyde Park - Shireem Cobb
Oyster Bay - Matt Brust
Pat Med - Tim Trava
Pierson - Dan White
Port Jeff - Billy Heenan
Roosevelt - Evan Rabinowaitz
Sachem East - Dan Celentano
Whitman - Chris Morra
PLAYER UPDATES
Michael O'Connell, who is from Mineola and played for Chaminade and Team Long Island, had 14 points and 7 assists in his debut for North Carolina State....
Valley stream's Jordan Dingle, who played at LWA, had 13 points in 20 minutes in the opener for Rick Pitino and St. John’s.... TJ Long, who is from Rockville Centre and played at both Chaminade and Holy Trinity, was named MAAC Sixth Man of the Year last season at Fairfield and has transferred to Vermont.... Zed Key, who is from Bay Shore and played for Brentwood, Long Island Lutheran. and Team Long Island, had 17 points and 8 rebounds in Ohio State's first game of the season.
LI NETS OFF TO GREAT START
Brooklyn's G-League team, featuring native Long Islanders Patrick Gardner and Terry Roberts, is off to a great start, going 3-0 with three straight wins at home.
Long Island 105 Greensboro 98
Long Island 91 Greensboro 83
Patrick Gardner 9 points and 5 rebounds in 14 minutes and Terry Roberts did not score in 2 minutes.
Long Island 123 Ontario 120
In their pro debuts, Patrick Gardner had 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in 21 minutes and Terry Roberts 2 points and 1 assist in 6 minutes.
PLAYER UPDATES
Tobias Harris, who graduated from Section 11's H H Hills West, had 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists in the 76ers win over Atlanta... Charles Manning, who played for both Bridgehampton and Long Island Lutheran, is playing professionally in Germany...
Baldwin’s Jared Rhoden had 6 points and 3 assists in Detroit’s loss to the Bucks… Elmont’s KC Ndefo started his pro career in the Dominican Republic, where he is averaging 8 points and 4 rebounds in 17 minutes per game through four games... Northport’s Luke Petrasek is averaging 16 points per game for defending Euro Cup Champion Anwil of the Polish Pro League
BIG EARLY MATCHUPS
LWA 71 Portledge 54
Big win for the young and promising Tigers over the defending PSAA Champs. Christopher Williams had 21 points and Hank Williams 18.
D1 COLLEGE REPORT
Hofstra is off to a slow start, losing to both Princeton and George Washington. Next up 11/20 vs Buffalo at the Gulf Coast Showcase... Stony Brook is too, dropping decisions to St. John's, Duquesne, and Nebraska, all by double digits. Next up 11/29 at Yale... St. John's beat NIT Champion North Texas at Charleston Classic but lost to Dayton. They are 2-2, Last game 11/19 vs Utah
2023-24 SEASON UNDERWAY!
Private schools always start first, so our first reported score of the season is:
Our Savior Lutheran 65 Upper Room 58
ST. JOHN'S DROPS TEST
St. John's dropped their first test on the season 89-73 to Michigan. The Wolverines are projected to finish toward the bottom of the Big Ten. Jordan Dingle had 10 pts.
PREMIER BASKETBALL NEWS
Premier basketball will launch their terrific Winter League for boys and girls teams from 3rd through 8th grade in December. Sign up HERE
DINGLE HAS BEST GAME IN ST. JOHN'S WIN
Valley Stream's Jordan Dingle had 18 points and 5 assists in a St. John's win over Utah. Red Storm now 3-2
CATHOLIC LEAGUE TIPS OFF
The NSCHSAA kicked off Saturday 11/25 with defending champion Chaminade defeating JFK of the PSAL 61-52 at the Brooklyn Collegiate Invitational. Devin Dillon led the way with 20 points, Ricky Gunther added 13, and Kyle Dillon and Kamron Elliott both had 10. Also on Saturday, a young and talented St. Dominic defeated Academy Charter 87-47.
MORE OLD FACES IN NEW PLACES
Isaiah Blunt
24 ppg at LWA to West Hempstead
Fabian Wheatley
15.7 ppg at St. Dominic to Knox School
SECTION 11 TIPS OFF
Section 11 kicked off 2023-24 on 11/24, with Smithtown Christian beating Shoreham-Wading River 49-39. Isaiah McCarter led the way with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Nehemiah Yuen added 13 points.
SECTION 8 TIPS OFF
Section 11 kicked off the 2023-24 season on 11/28 and here are the results:
Massapequa 60 Floral Park 43
A crazy back and forth game. After a 5-5 standoff in the first quarter, Massapequa outscored Floral Park 20-10 in the 2nd quarter, Floral Park won the 3rd quarter 20-9 to take a 1 point lead heading into the 4th, but Massapequa won the final quarter 26-8. Will the Chiefs be a factor this season?
Locust Valley 83 Glen Cove 51
The Falcons have been a perennial contender under Coach Rich Slater, and it looks like they might be again this season.
HICKSVILLE TOURNAMENT
Herricks 64 Mineola 63
Mepham 55 Hicksville 48
Four teams that have struggled in recent seasons. Who will step up this year?
GAMES OF 11/29
Hills East 87 St. Mary's 79
Hills East is one of the favorites in Section 11 and showed why, but the Gaels made it interesting. STORY
Copiague 41 Huntington 40
Taki Mason's free throw with 0.6 remaining gave the Eagles the win.
Glen Cove 70 Evergreen Charter 59
Evergreen Charter played its first ever boys varsity game and the team represented their school well, trailing by only 3 on the road after three quarters. Taiquan Saunders had a big game for Evergreen, finishing with 25 points and Genjheny DeLaCruz added 13. Mark Reeves led all scorers with 27 points for victorious Glen Cove, and Makhi Reeves and Angel Santana both chipped in 14 points.
PLAYER UPDATES
Jalyke Gaines - Wyatt, who is from Wyandanch and played for St. Anthony's and Team Long Islannd, is at D1 Alcorn State and had 13 points and 3 assists against Clemson.
NEW YORK COACHING CERTIFICATION CLASS
This course is a State requirement for all non-certified Physical Education majors coaching at public schools. FLYER
BIG EARLY SEASON MATCHUPS TODAY 11/30
5 PM LWA @ St. John The Baptist
5 PM East Meadow @ Syosset
7 PM LuHi vs Oak Hill in Kentucky
FROM D3 TO D1
Alex Sobel, the D3 National Player Of The Year last season, starred for Ward Melville and Team Long Island in high school. He is finishing his college career at D1 Sacred Heart, where he starts and had 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots his last game.
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 11/29
Team Long Island's Jagger Bascombe had 39 points for St. Mary's against Hills East.
LUHI ROLLS PAST OAK HILL
LuHi has the talent to make a serious run at a national championship this season, crushing perennial powerhouse Oak Hill Academy 84-57. Oak Hill was 7-0 entering the game. Team Long Island's Kayden Mingo had 23 points, 9 rebounds and 6 asists, all team highs, VJ Edgecombe had 17 points, Godswill Erheriene had 11 points, newcomer Kyan Anthony had 10 points and fellow newcomer Alier Maluk 9 points sand 7 rebounds. 11/30
SJB RALLIES PAST LWA
SJB will still be a force, despite losing key players from last season's 20-5 team. LWA showed its youth, giving up a lead and losing its composure under pressure. 57-46 final. STORY
SYOSSET STOPS JETS
The first big Section 8 matchup of the season and Syosset came away with a hard fought come from behind 72-63 victory over fellow contender East Meadow. Cooper Smith's 3-pointer mid-way through the third quarter put the Braves on top, one of his 6 threes, and he finished with 23 points. Brendan Cronin had 25 points for East Meadow.11/30
JANUARY 2024
GRASSO RESIGNS
FLYERS ROCK HOLY CROSS
The Defending NSCHSAA Champions, who graduated 12 seniors, opened their home season in impressive fashion, pulling away for a 70-59 win to mprove to 2-0. STORY
TEAM LONG ISLAND UPDATES
Savion Lewis had 16 points and 7 assists in Quinnipiac's win over Albany...
Jordan Riley had 16 points and 3 assists in Temple's win over LaSalle.... Nick Spinoso had 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in Penn's win over Monmouth .... Tyrone Lyons had 9 points and 13 rebounds for his Macedonian pro team...
Bryce Harris is averaging 16 points and 7 rebounds for D1 Howard.
St. Dominic 58 Syosset 50
Bayhawks rally from a 6 point 4th quarter deficit in a back and forth game to defeat a Section 8 contender at home. BOX
Massapequa Over Kings Park
Second impressive outing for the Chiefs, picking up a convincing 65-49 road win over Kings Park. MORE LATER
Sewanhaka Rolls Over Hempstead
Sewanhaka confirmed their contender status, utilizing a balanced attack for a big 59-29 road win over Hempstead.
Baldwin 66 Hills East 53
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/2
Chase Timberlake had 37 points in Baldwin's big win over Hills East
Mike Corley Jr. had 36 points in Longwood's win over Westhampton
GAMES OF 12/2
Long Beach 57 St. Dominic 50
Back to back wins over NSCHSAA teams utilizing a balanced attack in both games. BOX
NCAA PLAYER UPDATES
After redshirting last season, Hills West's Brent Bland has moved into the starting lineup for St. Peter's, and had 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal in a loss to FDU
LuHi's Zed Key lost his starting spot after shoulder surgery that ended his 2022-23 season, and has been coming off the bench so far this season, averaging 10 points and 6 rebound per game.
Deer Park's Malik Edmead transferred a second time, going back to Merrimack, and has to sit out this season.
D1 COLLEGE REPORT
After a slow start, Hofstra has reeled off 4 straight wins. Tyler Thomas, who is from New Haven, is their leading scorer so far, averaging 25 points per game.... Stony Brook continues to struggle, going 2-5 so far. LuHi's Tyler Stephenson-Moore is their leading scorer at 13 points per game. Andre Snoddy from St. Anthony's and Team Long Island is averaging 6 points and 6 rebounds.
PRO REPORT
Brentwood's Lester Quinones was the G League Most Improved Player Of The Year last season and is on a two way contract with Golden State this season, although he hasn't gotten much playing time with the parent club. He's averaging 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists for the G-League club.
GAMES OF 12/4
Smithtown West 97 Holy Trinity 81
The Bulls stunned the Titans with a 22-7 first quarter BOX
Port Washington 55 GN South 45
GNS wouldn't go away, but the Vikings rebuilt their lead whenever it got down to single digits. BOX
LuHi PSAA 72 Knox 65
The LuHi team has become a force in the PSAA, advancing to the semifinals last season, and they beat a good Knox team that has 9 new players and should get better as the season progresses.
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/4
Jack Melore had 40 points in Smithtown West's win over Holy Trinity and Lorenzo Rappa dished out 12 assists.
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/3
Jagger Bascombe had 23 points and 10 rebounds for st. Mary's in a loss to John Bowne of the PSAL
NCAA PLAYER UPDATES
Hills East's and Team Long Island's Savion Lewis, whose college career has been set back by a number of injuries, is leading NCAA Division 1 with 8.1 asists per game this season.
Holy trinity's TJ Long is averaging 13.1 point per game for D1 Vermont.
D1 Sacred Heart has three Long Islanders on the roster - Alex Sobel from Ward Melville, Brendan McGuire from Chaminade, and Mike Sixsmith from Holy Trinity.... Amityville's and Team Long Island's Darnell Evans leads NCAA Division 2 in scoring at 28.5 ppg.
GAMES OF 12/5
St. John The Baptist 64 Northport 44
The Cougars continue to surprise. They trailed by 5 at the half, but blew it open with a 29-6 third quarter to pick up a big road win. BOX
Port Washington 73 East Meadow 38
Impressive display against a good East Meadow team. It was a 9-point game at the half. BOX
Sewanhaka 66 Manhasset 47
Manhasset went a combined 45-3 over the last two seasons, but this is a different team. They built an 8-point halftime lead over a good Sewanhaka squad, but the Indians closed the gap in the third quarter and then exploded for 31 4th quarter points to put the game away. BOX.
GAMES OF 12/6
Academy Charter 61 Freeport 52
Academy Charter was 0-18 last year in Class A, but the growth of the school and its charter school designation have them playing up in AAA this year. A tough situation to be sure, but the addition of veteran coach Andre Edwards and a balanced attack and they are now 1-1 in 2023-24. BOX
Farmingdale 68 Friends Academy 47
Friends will be there in the end, but Farmingdale looked good in the preseason and continues to impress, jumping out to a quick lead and rolling to an impressive win.. BOX
Plainview 48 Massapequa 46
Both teams came into the game with two impressive wins, and it came down to a buzzer beating three pointer. BOX 12/5
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/7
Nick Waga had 29 points and 11 rebounds in Commack's win over Chaminade.... Robby Maurer hit a three-pointer with 2.4 seconds remaining to give Bayport-Blue Point a 1 point win over Kings Park. Kings Park's Thomas Matonti led all scorers with 25 points....
Ryan Hosein scored 27 points to lead Plainview past Syosset.... Taiquan Saunders had 27 points in Evergreen Charter's loss to Seaford.... Isaiah Blunt had 32 points in West Hempstead's win over Hewlett... Team Long Island's Aaron Durant hit a last second floater to give St. Mary's the win over Manhasset. Jagger Bascombe had 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Gaels. Spiro Venetis led all scorers with 29 points for Manhasset.
GAMES OF 12/7
Commack 74 Chaminade 60
Plainview 60 Syosset 54
The sorting out process has begun, and Plainview is passing all their tests BOX
LI Lutheran 69 Sunrise Christian 59
Early season matchup between two nationally ranked teams and once again, Farmingdale's Kayden Mingo led the way. BOX
Garden City 62 VS North 60
The Trojans forced a turnover in the final seconds to preserve the win BOX
St. Mary's 75 Manhasset 74
The Gaels win the battle of Manhasset with a come from behind victory. They climbed out of a 24-9 first quarter hole. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/6
Carter Abernethy had 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead Long Island Lutheran's PSAA team past Waldorf.... AJ Vurchio had 26 points in Sachem East's win over Comsewogue....
Peter Pinero scored 21 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in Connetquot's win over Riverhead....
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/5
Ryan Hosein hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give Plainview a 2 point win over Massapequa. He finished with 26 points.... Team long Island's Cassius Moore had 26 points to lead Elmont past Hempstead.... Former St. john The Baptist big man Jawuan Smith had 22 points and 18 rebounds in William Floyd's win over Sachem North.... Matt Neglia had 28 points in Hauppauge's win over Bellport,,, Dominic Obukwelu had 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists in Valley Stream North's win over Oceanside.... Erik Kubelka had 9 three pointers in Farmingdale's win over Friends Academy and teammate Chad Lennon 12 points and 14 rebounds ...
Ethan Nelson had 18 points and 7 assists and DiMaunt'e Gardner 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in Deer Park's win over BBP..... Team Long Island's Chris Welling had 27 points in St. Anthony's win over St. John's Prep.... Brady Del Valle had 27 points for Valley Stream South in their loss to Garden City... Anthony Caris led all scorers with 27 points and 6 rebounds in Floral Park's win over cold Spring Harbor.
FARMINGDALE STATE 7-1
The Rams are off to a flying start, going 7-1 so far. Mt. Sinai's Nick Hurowitz leads the way with 19 points and 7 rebounds per game, and Valley Stream South's Aaron Davis is scoring 16.9 ppg and hitting 45% of his 3 pointers. MORE 12/6
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/8
Team long Island's Dylan Kopp had 29 points in Stony Brook's win over Knox... JJ Collins had 19 points and 14 rebounds in Farmingdale's won over GN North...
Nate Song finished with 15 points and 14 assists in Wheatley's win over Mepham
AJ PRICE BACK ON LI
The fomer pro is an assistant at Amityville, his alma mater.
GAMES OF 12/8
Massapequa 43 Commack 36
Commack was fresh off a win over Chaminade, so big win for Massapequa. BOX
Farmingdale 71 Great Neck North 49
The Dalers have multiple scoring options, play good D, and Team Long Island's Jake Mangio running the show. BOX
GAMES OF 12/9
Port Washington 84 St. Mary's 68
Once again, Port is one of the teams to beat on Long Island BOX
Sewanhaka 62 Portledge 26
With convincing wins over Hempstead, Manhasset, and now Portledge, Sewanhaka has to be one of the early season favorites in Section 8 Class AA. BOX
Xavier 54 South Side 39
The defending Section 8 Champions opened the season with a loss to the 3-0 CHSAA team. Xavier was 15-10 last season. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/9
Dylan McLennon had 14 points and 7 steals in Sewanhaka's win over Portledge..
Drew McGowan had 30 points and Brady McGowan 26 in ESM's loss to Smithtown East... Anthony Caris had 28 points in Floral Park's win over Malverne... Andrew Owen had 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists in Islip's win over Central Islip... Stevie Aulicino had 31 points for Herricks in a win over Roosevelt... Andrew Tudda had 30 points in Seaford's win over Hicksville... Peyton Howell had 14 points, 5 assists, and 7 steals in Baldwin's win over Uniondale... JJ Collins had 17 points and 10 rebounds in Farmingdale's win over West Hempstead...
GAMES OF 12/11
Smithtown West 64 Hills East 56
A playoff quality matchup, the Bulls outlasted the Thunderbirds. BOX
Port Washington 67 Southampton 53
Port Washington put the defending Long Island Class B champions in a 24-6 first quarter hole and the Mariners never completely recovered. BOX
GAMES OF 12/10
Garden City 50 Plainview 46
Two good teams and Garden City rallied with a 20-12 fourth quarter for the big road win. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/11
Ja'Quan Morgan had 29 points in Hempstead's win over Hicksville...
Lorenzo Rappa had 17 points and 6 assists in Smithtown West's win over Hills East... Ryan Leary had 19 points and 8 assists in Carle Place's with over Bellmore
GAMES OF 12/12
Elmont 73 Garden City 44
This much anticipated matchup was all Elmont. The undefeated Spartans continue their demanding schedule when they host Roslyn 12/15 and then Chaminade 12/16. BOX
William Floyd 56 Ward Melville 38
It looks like the Colonials will be a serious contender in AAA this season, handing a good Ward Melville their first loss. Mark 1/16 on your calendars: 4 PM at Brentwood. BOX
Miller Place 55 Islip 32
They haven't played the toughest schedule, but 5-0 is 5-0. Their first serious tests will be 12/21 at home against Mt. Sinai and then 1/6 on the road at Sayville. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/12
Jawuan Smith had 11 points and 18 rebounds in William Floyd's win over Ward Melville... Nick Frusco had 17 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks and Joe Strickland had 14 points and 7 steals in Miller Place's win over Islip... Jack David had 18 points and 6 assists in Walt Whitman's win over CI...
GAMES OF 12/13
Chaminade 78 Port Washington 66
A suffocating press and outstanding ball movement gave the Flyers a convincing win over previously unbeaten Port Washington and snapped Chaminade's two game losing streak. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/13
Nick Waga had 30 points in Commack’s win over North Babylon… Team Long Island’s Christian Smiley had 13 points and 11 rebounds in Bay Shore’s win over Newfield…Jack Molesky had 26 points and 13 rebounds in North Shore’s win over Clarke… Kyle Kramer had 26 points in Friends Academy’s win over Island Trees… Seville Williams had 15 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in Amityville’s win over East Islip. Brendan Kearney led East Islip with 14 points and 12 rebounds… Chase Timberlake had 23 points and 4 assists and Peyton Howell had 8 steals in Baldwin's win over August Martin of the PSAL... Chad Wesley had 23 points and 6 assists and Kevin Estime 14 points and 16 rebounds in Malverne's win over Seaford. Andrew Tudda had 27 points for Seaford... Ja'Quan Morgan scored 25 points in Hempstead's win over Floral Park... Ray Bradley had 22 points, 4 assists and 3 steals in Capiague's win over Lindenhurst. Jonathan Jimenez had 28 points for Lindenhurst...
GAMES OF 12/14
Syosset 57 Massapequa 49
Massapequa was off to a good start, while Syosset was still feeling its way, so it was a big win for the Braves. BOX
Kings Park 63 Miller Place 32
5-0 Miller Place vs 0-4 Kings Park? BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/14
Joey McLaurin had 28 points and 5 assists in William Floyd's win over Riverhead... Cole Wood finished with 26 points in Hauppauge's win over East Hampton... Joel Ferebee had 18 points, 16 rebounds and 6 blocks in Bellport's win over Huntington...
GAMES OF 12/16
North Shore 56 Seaford 35
The 5-1 Vikings are building their resume. Seaford was 3-1. BOX
West Hempstead 62 Wheatley 33
So are the Rams. When was the last time a West Hempstead team started 5-1? BOX
Bridgehampton 63 Riverhead 61
Enrollments: Riverhead 1,652, Bridgehampton 56. The great tradition of Killer Bee basketball continues. Bridgehampton has won more State Championships than any other Long Island team, and the future looks bright once again, thanks to the return of Hall of Fame Coach Carl Johnson and two very talented sophomores! BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/15
Christian Smiley had 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in Bay Shore's win over Northport... Marquese Dennis had 22 points and 17 rebounds to lead Brentwood over Ward Melville... VJ Edgecombe had 30 points in Long Island Lutheran's win over Mater Dei... Nick Waga had 21 points and 5 assists to lead Commack over Copiague... Team Long Island's Dev Anne had 20 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks to lead Jericho past VS Central... Akshar Sabarad scored 33 points to lead Herricks past Mepham... Pete Mastando had 13 points and 10 rebounds in Manhasset's win over Glen Cove.. Leo Ferry scored 29 points to lead Bellmore past Hewlett...
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/16
Robby Maurer had 22 points, 7 assists and 2 steals to lead Bayport-Blue Point over Sayville... Kevin Keaveney had 14 points and 12 rebounds in Plainedge' s win over Mineola... Dom Obukwelu had 28 points and 7 rebounds to lead VS North over VS South... Joey Mammolito had 22 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in John Glenn's win over Wyandanch... Mike Hancock scored 28 points and Preston Appel 25 points to lead Locust Valley over Carle Place.
Ryan Leary led Carle Place with 28... Jeremiah Carter had 21 points and 4 assists in SJB's win over Malverne...
GAMES OF 12/15
Syosset 57 Massapequa 49
Massapequa was off to a good start, while Syosset was still feeling its way, so it was a big win for the Braves. BOX
Bay Shore 54 Northport 33
Brentwood 62 Ward Melville 40
..while others think its Brentwood... BOX
LI Lutheran 81 Mater Dei, CA 68
The Crusaders take care of another legendary program. BOX
Baldwin 69 Far Rockaway 23
Kings Park 63 Miller Place 32
5-0 Miller Place vs 0-4 Kings Park? BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/1
Christian Thomas had 15 points and 13 rebounds for St. Dominic in a win over Syosset... Mike Hancock had 25 points in Locust Valley's win over Island Trees
Casmere Morrow had 28 points in Rocky Point's win over Connetquot
GAMES OF 12/3
John Bowne 84 St. Mary's 73
The Gaels have had a very tough schedule to start the season and have lost close games to very good teams. BOX
LOCAL D2 COLLEGE UPDATE
At one time, Long Island had five NCAA D2 programs, but with CW Post folding its program into the LIU D1 program, New York Tech shutting down its program, and Dowling closing its doors, there are only two. Adelphi is off to a 4-4 start this season led by Dayshaun Walton, who averages 15.6 ppg, and Elijah Lewis, who avergaes 13.0.... Molloy has had a rough start, going 1-7, and that includes a loss to Adelphi. Rob Matos leads them in scoring at 18.1 ppg
GAMES OF 12/18
Great Neck South 65 #15 Jericho 51
The Rebels pulled away in the 4th for a big home win, handing the Jayhawks their first loss and serving notice that they will be a major factor in Nassau League AA3 BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/18
Jesse Tricario had 31 points and 17 rebounds to lead Great Neck South over Jericho... Blake Salice-Mitchell had 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead Long Beach past Herricks... Dylan McLennon had 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals and Jordan Tucker 17 points and 10 rebounds in Sewanhaka's win over Calhoun... Lorenzo Crilly had 26 points and Isaiah McCarter 24 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks in Smithtown Christian's win over Bridgehampton...
BATTLE OF NUMBER ONES
LI Lutheran 58 Don Bosco Prep 55
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/19
Marquese Dennis had 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 steals to lead Brentwood past riverhead. Team Long Island's
Devon Clarke, a sophomore, had 8 points and 17 rebounds.... Lorenzo Rappa had 9 points and 8 assists in Smithtown West 's win over West Babylon... Joey McLaurin had 18 points and 5 assists and Jawuan Smith 17 points and 12 rebounds in William Floyd's win over Central Islip... Jordan Heyman had 12 points and 9 assists in Hills East's win over Bellport... AJ Vurchio hit the game tying three-pointer with 58 seconds left in the fourth quarter to force overtime and then scored 5 of Sachem East's 7 points in OT to lead them past Walt Whitman... Dominic Obukwelu had 21 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists to lead Valley Stream North past Lynbrook... Devon Carter scored 35 points and added 8 rebounds to lead Islip over Wyandanch. Jerimiah Webb had 29 points in his first game for Wyandanch...
Caleb Ourigou tapped in the winning basket with 4.6 seconds remaining to give Lawrence Woodmere the won over LuHi PSAA.
GAMES OF 12/19
Patchogue-Medford 66 Longwood 54
Two promising teams that haven't made noise in a while squared off, and the hosts broke open a tight game in the 4th quarter to improve to 5-1. BOX
Plainedge 67 Floral Park 60
The Red Devils just might be for real, improvng to 5-0 with a 19 to 4 fourth quarter for the big road win BOX
Locust Valley 68 West Hempstead 61
You can't look past the Owls, who cooled off a hot West Hempstead team to improve to 5-1. BOX
Sachem East 49 Walt Whitman 44
The Flaming Arrows are now 4-1 after this overtime road win. BOX
John Glenn 71 Hampton Bays 50
The Knights are now 4-1 after a big fourth quarter on the road. BOX 12/19
GAMES OF 12/1
Sewanhaka Rolls Over Hempstead
Sewanhaka confirmed their contender status, utilizing a balanced attack for a big 59-29 road win over Hempstead. BOX
Holy Trinity Rallies Past Roslyn
The Titans took on a tough Roslyn team and rallied from a halftime deficit for a 68-63 home win. BOX
Archbishop Molloy 73 St. Mary's 70
The Gaels put up a great fight on the road, but gave up a lead. BOX
LUTHERAN ROLLS 12/19
#1 LuHi 83 Westminster Acad 59
BASKETBALL'S BIRTHDAY!
The game of basketball was invented today, December 21st, back in 1891!
GAMES OF 12/20
#2 Bay Shore 72 #16 Commack 44
Commack had a big win over Chaminade earlier this season, so WOW. BOX
Bayport-Blue Point 73 Pierson 46
Pierson is the defending Long Island Class C Champion with most of their team back. Impressive win for the Phantoms. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/20
Team Long Island's Carter Wilson had 17 points and 9 assists in #2 Bay Shore's win over #16 Commack... Team long Island's Naevon Williams had 16 points and 10 assists and Alex Franklin had 13 points and 10 rebounds.in Southampton's win over Mattituck... Bryce Wejuli had 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead North Babylon over Copiague... Cam Schweitzer had 11 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks to lead Babylon past Center Moriches
GAMES OF 12/21
#6 Elmont 57 #7 Sewanhaka 48
Not only a Sweet 16 matchup, but a big rivalry game, and the road team held off a late rally for the win. BOX
#14 William Floyd 69 Longwood 59
The Colonials picked up a tough road win to improve to 6-0. BOX
Patchogue-Med 56 Sachem E 48
Looks like Pat-Med has their best team in quite some time, outlasting a good Sachem team to improve to 6-1 - their only loss to Smithtown West. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/21
Jermaine King had 26 points and 8 assists and Jawuan Smith 20 points, 16 rebounds, 7 steals and 3 blocks in William Floyd's win over Longwood... Matt Eichorn had 18 points,10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead Pat-Med over Longwood...
Nick DeStefano had 14 points and 10 rebounds.in East Meadows win over Herricks... Alex Davis scored 31 points in Bridgehampton's win over Southold...
Nick Frusco had 27 points in Miller Place's loss to Mt Sinai...
LUHI IN CHAMPIONSHIP
LI Lutheran 76 Link Academy 63
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/22
Brady DelValle scored to tie the game with 16 seconds left in regulation, and then banked a shot off the glass with 38 second remaining in OT for VS South's win over Plainedge.... Vasilis Triantafyllou
had 29 points in North Shore's win over Lawrence...
GAMES OF 12/27
#12 W Floyd 63 Smithtown E 49
The Colonials continue to impress, handing Smithtown East their first loss of the season. STORY BOX
Massapequa 65 Manhasset 64 OT
Massapequa mounted a 4th quarter rally to tie the game and won it in overtime on a three pointer by Don Saenz. BOX
CITY OF PALMS FINAL
Montverde 73 #1 LI Lutheran 59
The Crusaders found themselves in a quick hole and trailed 8-12 points wire to wire. It was a 9 point game with about 4 minutes to play. Cooper Flagg was as advertised, finishing with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks. VJ Edgecombe led LuHi with 20 points and Kiyan Anthony had 14. The Crusaders were out rebounded 45-29, had 15 turnovers to Montverde’s 5, and shot 27% from behind the arc compared to 55% for Montverde STORY 12/23
Syosset 60 Uniondale 52
Braves hold off Knights to go to 3-0 in conference. STORY 12/22
GAMES OF 12/23
Sachem East 60 Ward Melville 50
Sachem East has established itself as a contender in Suffolk AAA1 BOX
#9 Smithtown W 41 N Babylon 39
The Bulldogs gave the Bulls a battle, staging a big 4th quarter comeback to tie the score, but a Ben Rappa putback at the buzzer was the difference. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/23
Alex Apicella had 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists to lead Sachem East over Ward Melville... Ben Rappa putback the game winner as time expired in Smithtown West's win over North Babylon... Christian Thomas had 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead St. Dominic over Arch. Molloy B
**SCORING LEADERS**
THROUGH 12/24
Evan Weslek/Shelter Island 29.5
Jorden Bennett/Westhampton 24.6
Jerimiah Webb/Wyandanch 24.5
Dominic Pennzello/Mt. Sinai 24.4
Vasilis Triantafyllou/N Shore 23.5
**HIGH GAMES**
THROUGH 12/24
Jack Melore/Smithtown West 40
Chase Timberlake/Baldwin 37
Mike Corley Jr/Longwood 36
Devon Carter/Islip 35
Jason Mascia/John Glenn 34
Tyson Reddick/Southampton 34
Akshar Sabarad/Herricks 33
Dominic Pennzello/Mount Sinai 32
Stevie Aulicino/Herricks 31
Alex Davis/Bridgehampton 31
Jesse Tricario/Great Neck South 31
Drew McGowan/ESM 30
Andrew Tuda /Seaford 30
Nick Wage/Commack 30
**UNBEATEN TEAMS**
THROUGH 12/31
AAA William Floyd 8-0
AAA Farmingdale 7-0
AA Smithtown West 7-0
AAA Bay Shore 7-0
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/27
Leo Ferry scored 38 points including 8 three-pointers, to lead Bellmore past Carey... Jawuan Smith had 30 points and 20 rebounds in William Floyd's win over Smithtown East... Guri Chadha scored 30 points to lead Jericho over Cold Spring Harbor...Luke Seltzer scored 27 points in Pierson's loss to Northport... Ryan Leary had 23 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 blocks to lead Carle Place past MacArthur... Vasilis Triantafyllou had 21 points and 14 rebounds in North Shore's win over Westhampton... Gabe Phillips had 18 points and 15 rebounds in Baldwin's win over Amityville... Logan Norman had 14 points and 14 rebounds for Centereach in a win over Port Jefferson... Dom Saenz hit the game-winning three-pointer to lead Massapequa over Manhasset in overtime...
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/28
Trevor Amalfitano scored 39 points in Port Washington's win over Great Neck North... Jordan Tucker had 27 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals to lead Sewanhaka over Bellport... Will Pettinato had 28 points in Syosset's win Over Commack. Nick Waga led Commack with 26 points... Brady McGowan scored 27 points in ESM's win over SWR... Ismaeel Mojeed had 28 points and Christian Thomas 18 points and 12 rebounds in St. Dominic's win over Amityville... Mike Main had 19 points and 9 assists and Blake Salice Mitchell 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead Long Beach over Bethpage... Patrick Mullin had 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead South Side over Lynbrook...
THE 2023 NEW YORK HOLIDAY INVITATIONAL
Port Washington and Smithtown West headlined the high level event with impressive wins. Scanlan, Nazareth, and Mount Vernon looked dominant against highly regarded opponents.
ALL SHOWCASE TEAM
Nate Edwards/Mt Vernon
Amar Moody Jr/Nazareth
Trevor Amalfitrano/Pt Washington
Jack Melore/Smithtown West
Cassius Moore/Elmont
Nasir Rodriquez /Monsignor Scanlan
Siyani Arthur/Brooklyn L&T
GAME RECAPS
Port Washington 85 Brooklyn L&T 51
10-0 Brooklyn Law looked like a tall order for the Vikings, but they were more than up to the challenge. Utilizing a disciplined offense, an aggressive defense, and strong rebounding, they pulled away from the unbeaten PSAL contender for a very impressive victory. Trevor Amalfitrano led all scorers at the Showcase with 27 points to earn a spot on the All-Showcase Team. Siyani Arthur led L&T with 20 points.
Smithtown West 57 Elmont 52
A possible preview of the Long Island Class AA Championship Game, and if it is, it will be another good one. Both teams are very impressive - well coached, with multiple options on offense and both play tough defense. Smithtown's balanced attack was the difference in this one, with Jack Melore leading the way with 16 points to earn a spot of the All Showcase Team, Lorenzo Rappa added 14 points and Ben Rappa finished with 12. Elmont's Cassius Moore finished with 26 points and a spot on the All-Tournament Team. WATCH REPLAY
Monsignor Scanlan 73 #4 Baldwin 42
It was a 6 point game in the third quarter, but a few missed shots and a few turnovers that led to fast break baskets on the other end and it was an 18 point game in the blink of an eye. Scanlan will make some noise in the CHSAA this season. Nasir Rodriquez led their balanced attack with 16 points to secure his spot on the All-Tournament Team. Shane Maudlin led the Bruins with 12. WATCH REPLAY
Mt Vernon 68 Syosset 45
It was a tale of two different halves, with the Braves leading most of the way and up 26-20 at the half, but the 12 time New York State Champion Knights completely turned the tables in the second half, turning up their intensity on boys sides of the ball and outscoring Syosset 27- 10 in the pivotal third quarter and 48-19 in the second half to take command. Nate Edwards was unstoppable at times,
earning a spot on the All-Showcase Team.
Nazareth 63 Bishop Hendricken 44
After going 26-1 last season, Nazareth is not off to the start they were hoping for, but they were very impressive, defeating the defending and 22 time Rhode Island State Champions going away. Amar Moody Jr led a balanced Nazareth attack with 14 points. Jacob Reyes had 17 points for Hendricken, including 4 fourth quarter three pointers. WATCH REPLAY 12/30
MARK YOUR CALENDERS!
Great matchups to look forward to this season:
1/5 SJB @ Holy Trinity
Farmingdale @ Baldwin
1/6 LWA @ Chaminade
Bay Shore vs Sewanhaka
@ Gary Charles Classic/Chaminade
Long Beach @ GN South
Smithtown West @ Smithtown East
1/7 LWA vs Eagle Academy
@ Mt St. Michaels
St. Raymond's vs Chaminade
Baldwin vs Cardozo
@ Gary Charles Classic/Chaminade
1/8 Port Wash. @ Farmingdale
1/9 St. Anthony's @ SJB
East Meadow @ Jericho
1/11 North Shore @ Friends Acad
Brentwood @ Pat-Med
1/12 East Meadow @ GN South
1/13 Chaminade @ Iona Prep
1/16 Chaminade @ St. Anthony's
William Floyd @ Brentwood
1/17 Baldwin @ Port Washington
1/18 Holy Trinity @ Chaminade
1/19 Smithtown West @ Hills East
1/21 Knox vs Holy Trinity
@ St. Anthony's Showcase
1/26 Chaminade @ SJB
Baldwin @ Farmingdale
1/27 Eagle Academy @ LI Lutheran
GN South @ Jericho
1/29 Bay Shore @ Commack
1/30 St. Anthony's @ Holy Trinity
Sewanhaka @ Elmont
Jericho @ Long Beach
EMERGING STARS
Role players last season, these players have emerged as strong All-Long Island and All-New York State candidates in 2023-24
Devon Carter/Islip
Averaging 21.1 ppg. Last season 7.1
Leo Ferry/Bellmore
Averaging 23.3 ppg with 49 3-pointers, Last season 8.4 ppg last season with 35 3-pointers.
Jason Mascia/John Glenn
Averaging 19.5 ppg this season and averaged 8.2 last season
Isaiah McCarter/Smithtown Chr
Averages 23.0 ppg this season. Last season, 12.5 ppg.
Apollo Simmons/Westbury
Averaging 20.1 ppg. Last season 9.9
Jawuan Smith/William Floyd
This season, averaging 18.8 points and 10 rebound per game. Last season, 12.1 ppg
GAMES OF 12/30
#3 Brentwood 67 Southampton 61
These two teams have played some memorable games in recent years in the now discontinued Suffolk County Championships, and this was a good one too, with the Mariners digging themselves ouy of a hole with a big third quarter. BOX
East Meadow 58 #15 SJB 46
The up and down Jets are impressive when they are at their best, and they were in this one. Isaiah Perkins had his best game of the season and the defense held the potent Cougars 15 points under their season average.
Harrison (Sec 1) 51 North Shore 50
A tough road game lost on a free throw with 2.7 seconds remaining.
GAMES OF 12/29
Hills East 54 #3 Brentwood 53
Don't sleep on the Thunderbirds. Their won/loss record doesn't stand out, but their three losses have been to #5 Baldwin, #4 Smithtown West, and #2 Bay Shore. BOX
John Glenn 54 Bayport BP 51
Two of Section 11's top Class A teams went at it in a terrific back and forth game, and the home team prevailed BOX
Great Neck South 67 Plainview 49
This is a good Plainview team and Great Neck South left no doubt. BOX
Westbury 60 Massapequa 56
We have to start keeping our eyes on the Green Dragons after this big win. BOX
South Side 55 Kellenberg 53
The defending Section 8 Champions came from behind to improve to 9-1 BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/30
Team Long Island's Carter Wilson had 33 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in Bay Shore's win over Hills East... Kam Elliott had 21 points and 5 assists for Chaminade in a win over North Catholic, PA.... Isaiah McCarter scored 41 points and had 22 rebounds and Nehemiah Yuen added 23 points and 5 assists to lead Smithtown Christian over Port Jefferson... Andrew Tudda scored 36 points in Seaford's win over New Hyde Park... Stevie Aulicino scored 28 points and Akshar Sabarad 27 for Herricks in a win over Clark...
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 12/29
Jordan Heyman's free throw with time running down gave Hills East the win over Brentwood... Jake Mangio scored 32 points in Farmingdale's win over Roosevelt... Matt Brown's layup with 5 seconds remaining proved to be the game-winner in Copiague's win over Centereach... Jason Mascia had 29 points and 5 rebounds to lead John Glenn past Bayport BP... Mt, Sinai's Dominic Pennzello had 28 points to lead Mt. Sinai over Newfield. Michael Favaloro had 28 points for Newfield... Anthony Caris had 25 points for Floral Park in a loss to Friends Academy... Ben Zito had 28 points and 7 rebounds to lead Oceanside over Valley Stream South... Shaquille Johnson's layup with five seconds left gave Long Beach the win over John Adams... Kevin Guttfleisch hit the go-ahead basket with 45 seconds left to give Wantagh a win over Bethpage... Jack Gillis had 11 points and 17 rebounds to lead Division past Carle Place... Evan Fulgieri scored 25 points to lead Manhasset past Malverne... Jawuan Smith had 22 points and 14 rebounds in William Floyd's win over Northport... Luke Seltzer scored 29 points in Pierson's loss to Smithtown East...
VERY SAD NEWS
Gus Alfieri passed away.
DECEMBER 2023
NEW YEAR TIP OFF!
Amityville 73 Eastport-SM 58
In the first game of 2024, the host Sharks got off to an excellent start, scoring 23 1st quarter points, but it was all Amityville the rest of the way, with Seville Williams racking up 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists and Amir Dickerson 15 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals to lead the way. BOX
UNDER THE RADAR TEAMS
(Through 12/31)
East Meadow (AA 7-3)
Hauppauge (A 7-1)
John Glenn (A 6-1)
Roslyn (AA 6-2)
South Side (AA 8-1)
Valley Stream North (A 8-2)
West Hempstead (B 7-2)
BASKETBALL GREAT PASSES
We're sorry to report that Gus Alfieri, who starred for St. John's University, coached two New York State Championship teams at St. Anthony's, compiling a 328-106 record, wrote two critically acclaimed books, and directed the All-American Basketball Camp for over 50 years, passed away. Visitation will be on January 4th from 7 to 9 pm and January 5th from 2 to 4 pm and then at 7 to 9 pm at Branch Funeral Home in Smithtown, and the funeral Saturday 9:30 am at Christ The King/Commack. NEWSDAY STORY
MOST COACHING VICTORIES
(Active coaches through 12/31/23)
Jack Agostino/Amityville 504
Wally Bachman/Jericho 494
Steve Liebertz/Great Neck South 454
Ralph Rossetti/Seaford 399
Darius Burton/Baldwin 390
GAMES OF 1/3/2024
Hauppauge 69 Westhampton 52
Cole Wood had a breakout season last year, earning All-Long Island Sophomore honors, and he's picking up where he left off. His Eagles built a big early lead and cruised past a good Westhampton team and he led all scorers with 20 points. Hauppauge is now 8-1 BOX
Hewlett 67 Long Beach 64 OT
The Bulldogs are putting together a pretty good season and this was their biggest victory so far, picking up a big road win in OT on Frantz Limage's three-pointer, which proved to be the game winner. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/3
Team Long Island's Naevon Williams
scored 31points to lead Southampton past Center Moriches... Robby Maurer had 12 points and 13 assists and Evan Waldbauer 12 points and 10 rebounds in Bayport-Blue Point's win over Port Jefferson. Tyler Cobb had a game high 29 points for Port Jefferson... Team Long Island's Luke Seltzer had 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead Pierson past Mattituck... Kameron Quinn had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in North Babylon's win over Connetquot...
GAMES OF 1/4/2024
#6 Hills East 68 Smithtown East 55
After a big jump in the Sweet 16 poll, the Thunderbirds continue to impress. BOX
#9 William Floyd 76 Sachem East 39
Sachem East was 6-2 coming into this game, but Floyd is continuing to build the excitement for their 1/19 matchup with Brentwood. BOX
GN North 52 #15 GN South 47
You never know what's going to happen in this rivalry, no matter what the win-loss records are, but in fairness to South, a 19.7 ppg scorer was home sick. Still a big win for North. BOX
Walt Whitman 56 Patchogue-Med 53
An upset. 2-4 Whitman over 7-1 host Pat-Med, who fell just short of a spot in the last Sweet 16. Often, somebody has a breakout game for the underdog when this happens, and Jack David had his highest scoring game and his two free throws iced it. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/4
Isaiah Gillam had 28 points in Pat-Med's loss to Whitman... Joey Mammolito had 21 points and 5 assists in John Glenn's win over Kings Park... Vincent Rienzie hit the game-winning layup with 11 seconds remaining in Valley Stream North's double OT win over Floral Park... Cody Brush scored 28 points and Jack Gillis had 12 points and 10 rebounds in Division's win over Seaford. Andrew Tudda had 26 points for Seaford... Jeremiah Webb had 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead Wyandanch past Harborfields...
NCAA D1 PLAYER UPDATES
Through 15 games, Long Island’s Nick Spinoso leads D1 U Penn in rebounds, assists, and blocks per game… Through 15 games, Long Island’s TJ Long is leading D1 Vermont in scoring and steals, and is shooting 41% from three and 83% from the free throw line….Through 15 games, Long Island’s Alex Sobel is second in scoring at D1 Sacred Heart and leads the team in rebounding and steals per game…. Through 12 games, Long Island’s Tyson Walker leads D1 Michigan State in scoring and steals per game… Through 13 games, Long Island’s Savion Lewis leads D1 Quinnipiac in assists per game and is second on the team in steals… Through 11 games, Long Island’s Brent Bland leads D1 St. Peters in steals per game…
GAMES OF 1/5/2024
#7 Holy Trinity 73 SJB 69 OT
The short-handed Cougars were in it all the way on the road, but the Titans continue to make their case as the NSCHSAA's best team with the big win. BOX
Kellenberg 61 #16 St. Anthony's 47
With a 2 point loss to 9-1 and defending Section 8 Champion South Side and this big win over #16 St. Anthony's, the Firebirds have the look of a contender. BOX
Commack 48 Northport 44
This rivalry matchup is always a good game, and the Cougars held off a Tiger rally for the road win. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/5
Team Long Islland's Trevor Amalfitano had 31 points in Port Washington's win over Plainview... Huntington's Nigel James had 22 points and 5 assists in LuHi's win over Legacy... Chase Timberlake had 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in Baldwin's win over Farmingdale... Chris Williams had 27 points for SJB in a loss to Holy Trinity... Robby Maurer had 13 points and 8 assists in BBP's win over Mattituck. Amir Christian had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Mattituck... Seville Williams had 26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 7 steals and Amir Dickerson 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals in Amityville's win over Comsewogue...
GAMES OF 1/7/2024
St. Raymond 93 #10 Chaminade 88
An exciting, fast paced back and forth game, St. Raymond's held off a late Chaminade run. BOX
#8 Brentwood 73 Jefferson 69
Two top programs that reload every year, they battled all the way. and Brentwood held on for the win.. BOX
#2 Bay Shore 68 #14 Sewanhaka 58
A great Nassau/Suffolk Sweet 16 matchup, and the Marauder's rallied for the win. BOX
GAMES OF 1/6/2024
#15 GN South 74 Long Beach 59
South Side 64 Manhasset 44
They stumbled early in the season, losing to 8-3 Xavier of the CHSAA on their home court, but have been perfect since. BOX
Jericho 52 MacArthur 31
The 9-1 Jayhawks keep winning, a loss to GN South on the road their only setback. Head Coach Wally Bachman is bearing down on career victory #500. BOX
Roslyn 73 Garden City 37
With losses to only #3 Port Washington and #4 Holy Trinity, 7-2 Roslyn is a serious contender. BOX
Uniondale 47 St. Dominic 45
Two legendary Long Island programs in rebuilding mode, and they're both coming on strong. BOX
#10 Chaminade 79 #11 LWA 62
Chaminade has energized its offense and the results are very impressive. BOX
Wyandanch 74 Mt. Sinai 71
They started the season with four straight losses, but Wyandanch is coming together and their third straight win was a big one. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
How do you qualify? Counting 2 points for every assist, any combination of points and assists totaling 25 or more, or a double double in any two catergories.
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/6
Isaiah Blunt had 37 points in West Hempstead's win over VS North... Jesse Roggendorf had 31 points to lead Great Neck South past Long Beach... Lorenzo Rappa had 15 points and 6 assists to lead Smithtown West over Smithtown East... Devin Clarke had 16 points and 13 rebounds and Josh Ramos added 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists in Brentwood's win over Sachem East... Jason Mascia had 30 points in John Glenn's win over Harborfields ... Joey McLaurin had 20 points and 8 assists and Jawuan Smith added 16 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 steals to lead William Floyd past Walt Whitman ... Jordan Tucker had 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in Sewanhaka' s win over GN North... Lorenzo Beaton had 14 points and 10 rebounds in Ward Melville's win over Longwood ... Andrew Tudda had 33 points for Seaford in a win over East Rockaway ... Jeremiah Webb had 26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals and Jamel Williams had 25 points and 6 steals to lead Wyandanch over Mt. Sinai... Matthew Neckles scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead Valley Stream Central past Herricks...
GAMES OF 1/8/2024
Farmingdale 55 Port Washington 53
The Dalers utilized a balanced attack and held off repeated rallies for an impressive home win. BOX
Syosset 73 Hempstead 65
The Braves are still not at full strength but put an end to Hempstead's winning streak. BOX
Amityville 79 Hills West 56
The Warriors are falling into a groove, picking up their third straight win after a slow start. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/8
Trevor Amalfitano had 29 points for Port Washington in a loss to Farmingdale... AJ AbuSaab scored 25 points to lead Syosset past Hempstead ... Nick Waga had 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for Commack in a win over Lindenhurst... Naevon Williams scored 25 points and Alex Franklin 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead Southampton over Port Jeff... Robby Maurer had 21 points and 5 assists and Dylan Craig 14 points, 6 assists and 6 steals in BBP's win over Babylon .. Kameron Quinn had 20 points and 6 assists to lead North Babylon over Newfield... Ryan Hosein scored 26 points in Plainview's win over Westbury...
TEAM LONG ISLAND INVITATIONS POSTED
WHAT IS TEAM LONG ISLAND?
Team Long Island is an honorary team made up of Long Island's best basketball players, and it is put together in the spring and fall to give our best players outstanding exposure and to show the basketball community that our best players can play with anybody! There are 10 former Team Long Island players currently playing D1 basketball and the program has produced a long list of All-New York State players and two New York State Mr. Basketball award winners. IMPORTANT: Team Long Island is not an AAU program. Team Long Island selections continue to play for their AAU teams and do not miss any school team events.
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/7
Naevon Williams scored 22 points and added 6 rebounds and 5 assists in Southampton's win over Kellenberg ... Ricky Gunther scored 25 points in Chaminade's loss to St. Raymond's... Devon Snell had 29 points in Brentwood's win over Thomas Jefferson...
MORE D1 PLAYER UPDATES
Through 13 games, Long Island’s Zakai Zeigler leads D1 Tennessee in assists and steals per game… Through 13 games, Long Island’s Michael O’Connell is leading North Carolina State in assists per game and free throw percentage… Through 10 games, Long Island’s Jordan Riley is tied for the lead in steals per game and second on the team in blocks per game at D1 Temple…
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/9
Lorenzo Beaton had 16 points and 14 rebounds in Ward Melville's win over Sachem East... Joe Romano had 17 points and 7 assists to lead Kings Park past Islip. Devon Carter had 25 points for Islip... Jai Feaster scored 29 points and Alex Davis 26 in Bridgehampton's win over Shelter Island...
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/10
Floyd had four in their win over Pat-Med: Dahmarion Moses 21 pts, 12 rbs, Joey McLaurin 21 pts, 6 ast, Jermaine King 14 pts 6 ast, and Jawuan Smith 11 pts 10 rbs... Josh Ramos scored 18 points and had 5 assists and Devin Clarke had 14 points and 14 rebounds to lead Brentwood past Whitman... Joey Mammolito scored 26 points and added 8 rebounds and 6 assists in Glenn's with over Mt. Sinai...
GAMES OF 1/10/2024
#9 William Floyd 90 Pat-Med 53
The Colonials are passing one test after another. Pat-Med was 7-2 coming into this game, but Floyd's four double digit scorers and two double digit rebounders were too much to handle. They are now 11-0 BOX
#15 John Glenn 69 Mt Sinai 52
That 9 in a row, with convincing wins over two of the other Class A contenders BOX
GAMES OF 1/11/2024
Patchogue-Med 66 #8 Brentwood 64
The biggest win for the Pat-Med program in a very long time, it was close the whole way, but the Raiders had the lead at every buzzer. BOX
Farmingdale 49 Plainview 45
Another big win for the Dalers in very tough Section 8 AAA2 BOX
Friends Academy 62 North Shore 42
The Quakers are another "always good" program that got off to a slow start this season, but their 5th straight win was a big one over a 10-2 North Shore team. The win put Friends in sole possession of first place in Section 8 conference A7. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/11
Carter Wilson had 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in Bay Shore's win over Connetquot... Peyton Howell had 15 points, 8 assists, and 5 steals and Gabriel Phillips had 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead Baldwin past Westbury... JJ Collins had 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists in Farmingdale's win over Plainview... Dylan Craig had 24 points and 10 rebounds and Mike Luce had 13 points and 15 rebounds in BBP's win over Center Moriches... Conner Haufer scored 25 points in Oceanside's loss to Syosset... Sean Glynn led Bellport past Smithtown East with 28 points... Seville Williams had 17 points and 5 assists and Amir Dickerson had 16 points and 5 assists in Amityville's win over Rocky Point... Mike Favaloro scored 30 points for Newfield in a win over Copiague... Michael Werzinger hit the game-winning shot in Lynbrook's win over Plainedge. Owen Donnellan had 26 points for Plainedge... Alex Lugo had 31 points to lead New Hyde Park over Carey... John Jiminez had 19 points and 5 assists for Lindenhurst in a win over Sachem North... Mike Finnegan had 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead Mattituck over SWR...
GAMES OF 1/13/2024
Columbus, FL 81 #1 LI Lutheran 62
The Crusaders led 39-36 at the half, but they missed 12 of 15 shots in the 4th quarter and Columbus pulled away for the win. STATS
Valley Stream North 57 Plainedge 49
The Spartans improved to 10-3 and 5-0 in conference, pulling away in a tough back and forth game for the big road win. BOX
LuHi PSAA 67 Portledge 41
The Long Island Lutheran PSAA team is putting together another impressive season, rolling over the defending champs. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/13
Dominic Obukwelu had 22 points and 5 assists to lead Valley Stream North past Plainedge. Lucas Emmanuel had 25 points for Plainedge... Andrew Tudda had 35 points in Seaford's loss to Clarke...
GAMES OF 1/12/2024
St. Mary's 84 #5 Holy Trinity 81
They've played a tough schedule, with losses to Archbishop Molly, Chaminade, Port Washington, and Iona Prep, but St. Mary's has one of top backcourts on Long Island and will be a challenge for any NSCHSAA team. BOX
East Meadow 72 Great Neck South 60
The young Jets have been up and down this season, but the ups are much more frequent and this road win over GN South is a big one. It puts them alone in first place in tough Section 8 AA3. BOX
Bridgehampton 69 vs Smithtown Chr 61
The teams have exchanged road wins in the battle for Class D supremacy on Long Island. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/12
Aaron Durant had 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists to lead St. Mary's past Holy Trinity... Brandon Varlack had 21 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals and Jordan Heyman 6 points,11 assists and 8 steals in Hills East's win over Huntington... Kyle Dillon had 20 points and 6 assists for Chaminade in a win over Kellenberg... Dylan McLennon had 31 points and 5 steals in Sewanhaka's win over Garden City... Jason Kim scored 24 points and had 3 assists in Jericho's win over Herricks. Akshar Sabarad had 25 points for Herricks... Jake Kenyon had 17 points, 4 assists and 2 steals to lead Roslyn over New Hyde Park... Tommy Snyder had 11 points and 10 rebounds in a St. anthony's win over st. Dominic... James Notias scored 28 points in Manhasset's win over Hewlett. Justin Ogilvie had 33 points for Hewlett... Saige Frisco had 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, Sean O'Neil 16 points and 5 assists, and Matthew Neckles 11 points and 14 rebounds to lead VS Central past Long Beach... Lorenzo Beaton had 20 points and 10 rebounds in Ward Melville's win over Walt Whitman... Jerimiah Webb had 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals to lead Wyandanch over Sayville... Liam Sofi had 12 points and 10 rebounds in GN North's win over Carey... Mitch Savalli scored 25 points in Mepham's win over MacArthur... Jayden Diaz had 28 points to lead Bethpage past Oceanside...
PLAYER UPDATE
Long Island Lutheran's VJ Edgecombe
has committed to Baylor.
GAMES OF 1/15/2024
Stony Brook 70 Holy Trinity 67
Big win for the Bears program. It looks like they are one of the teams to beat in the PSAA, along with LWA and LuHi Regional. BOX
GAMES OF 1/16/2024
William Floyd 69 Brentwood 66
If there was any doubt that William Floyd is for real and one of the best teams in the state, there isn't now. The Colonials beat the defending Long Island champions on the road to improve to 12-0. BOX
Patchogue-Med 64 Ward Melville 58
Don't sleep on the Raiders. They've had some big wins, including this come from behind victory and are now 9-3. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/16
Team Long Island candidate Jawuan Smith had 23 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks to lead William Floyd over Brentwood, and fellow candidate Jermaine King, Jr added 16 points and 6 assists. Team Long Island's Devin Clarke had 16 points and 20 rebounds for Brentwood... Angel Redding had 18 second half points in Patchogue-Medford's come from behind win over Ward Melville... Guri Chadha had 24 points and 3 assists in Jericho's win over Mepham...
Giuliano Camporini had 30 points in Massapequa's win over Oceanside...
Jesse Tricario had 29 points for Great Neck South in their win over Herricks... Thomas Matonti scored 26 points to lead Kings Park over Harborfields... Blake Salice Mitchell had 19 points and 10 rebounds in Long Beach's win over MacArther...
Christopher DiLeo had 25 points and Jack Bell 17 points and 15 rebounds to lead Whitman over Riverhead...
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/15
Team Long Island's Dylan Kopp had 27 points and 9 rebounds to lead Stony Brook past Holy Trinity... Wyandanch defeated Academy Charter behind 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assist from Jerimiah Webb.
LONG ISLAND'S BEST
Farmingdale State is 15-1 this season and Nick Hurowitz from Mount Sinai, Corey Powell from Valley Stream South, and Jevon Santos from Elmont have all been a very big part of it, earning spots in the Farmingdale record books. Hurowitz and Powell are 2 of the 9 career 1,000 pt scorers in program history, and Santos is the all-time assist leader. Three terrific players and a great college program that continues to make Long Island proud!
UNBEATEN TEAMS: 2 LEFT
Bay Shore (AAA 13-0)
William Floyd (AAA 13-0)
GAMES OF 1/17/2024
Port Washington 59 Baldwin 46
The Vikings jumped out to the lead and held it for the big home win. Section 8 Conference AAA 2 is going to be a dog fight, with 2 teams with 1 loss and 3 with 2 losses. BOX
Westbury 63 Farmingdale 58
Westbury climbed out of a 13 point halftime hole with 27 third quarter points.
Bayport-BP 70 Southampton 63 OT
Eastern Long Island teams measure themselves against Southampton - year after year one of top programs on Long Island, and this was a big one for the Phantoms, who improved to 10-2 BOX
West Hempstead 60 Carle Place 55
The two best Class B teams in Section 8 went at it, and the Rams picked up the road win to improve to 11-3. BOX
MORE HIGHLIGHTS 1/17
JoJo Cippilino's 25 points led Northport to an OT win over Copiague... Bryce Wejuli had 22 points and 10 rebounds and Daniel Blake-Watson 19 points and 5 assist in North Babylon's win over Lindenhurst... Dillon Wallace had 17 points and 11 rebounds and Brady DelValle 18 points and 6 assists in Valley Stream South's win over Lynbrook... Chad Wesley had 26 points and 8 assists to lead Malverne past Seaford... Andrew Tudda had 30 points for Seaford... Alex Clark scored 28 points and Amir Christian had 16 points and 13 rebounds in Mattituck's win over Port Jefferson... Owen Donnellan had 28 points and Alec Anderson 14 points and 12 rebounds in Plainedge's win over Wantagh...
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/17
Robby Maurer had had 6 of Bayport BP's 9 points in overtime and finished with 38 points, 6 assists, and 4 four steals, Dylan Craig had 17 points and 5 assists, and Brendan Waters added 11 points and 12 rebounds to lead Bayport-Blue Point past Southampton... Evan Kay had 19 points and 10 rebounds in Commack's win over Sachem North... Seville Williams had 27 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals, Amir Dickerson 17 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals, and Sherwin Johnson 10 points, 12 rebounds and 3 steals to leas Amityville past East Hampton... Danny Kosior had 11 points and 10 rebounds in Valley Stream North's win over Mineola...
GAMES OF 1/18/2024
11 Holy Trinity 88 #7 Chaminade 84
It looks like the Catholic League might be more tightly bunched this season than in the recent past, but you'd have to put the Titans at the head of the pack after this big road win. BOX
#14 Roslyn 58 #8 Elmont 53
There is always a danger when you play a good team on their home court, and I think it's safe to say Roslyn is a good team. It was tight and back and forth the whole way, but the Bulldogs hit the big shots down the stretch to come away with the impressive win. They can really get up and down the court, and their press is first rate. BOX
Wyandanch 68 #16 John Glenn 64
Another good team on their home court, and after an 0-4 start, which included a 16 point loss to Glenn, the Warriors have regrouped and gone 6-1 including this upset win over a team some thought was the best ?? in Section 8. The addition of Jerimiah Webb, the starting point guard on last season's New York State Final Four Brentwood team, has made a big difference. BOX
LuHi PSAA 68 Stony Brook 60
The battle for first in the PSASA continues, and the Crusaders picked up an impressive home win that wasn't as close as the final score. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/18
Jermaine King had 15 points and 5 assists and Jawuan Smith had 13 points and 18 rebounds in William Floyd's win over Ward Melville... Angel Redding had 29 points to lead Pat-Med past Riverhead... Joe Romano had 22 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals in Kings Park's win over Mt Sinai... Michael Frankie had 10 points and 18 rebounds to lead Bellport over West Islip... Tyler Simonetti had 10 assists.in Islip's win over Miller Place... Matt Hayes hit the game-winning three-pointer with eight seconds left to lift Long Beach past East Meadow. Blake Salice-Mitchell led the Marines with 22 points and 10 rebounds,,, Mike Carmody had 18 points and 5 assists for Sayville in their win over Hampton Bays... Isaiah McCarter had 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks.in Smithtown Christian's win over Southold...
MORE HIGHLIGHTS 1/18
Jerimiah Webb had 28 points and 8 assists and Jamel Williams 21 points, 5 assists and 3 steals to lead Wyandanch past John Glenn. Joey Mammolito
scored 30 points for Glenn.
BACKMAN 500!
Jericho's Hall of Fame Coach Wally Bachman won his 500th game last night, a 73-47 win over Valley Stream Central. His Jayhawks improved to 13-1 on the season. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Section 8 Basketball Coordinator played at Jericho himself growing up, and there isn't a more respected and beloved coach on Long Island. Hope he's around for 500 more!
GAMES OF 1/19/2024
#5 Hills East 60 #3 Smithtown W. 55
Another unbeaten team falls on the road . Hills East can play with anybody BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/19
Team Long Island's Carter Wilson had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead Bay Shore past Newfield... Jordan Heyman had 15 points, 10 assists and 5 steals in Hills East's win over Smithtown West... Jordan Tucker had 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists for Sewanhaka in their win over Carey... Jericho beat Valley Stream Central behind 26 points from Guri Chadha... Dylan Craig had 26 points and 5 assists and Robby Maurer had 10 points and 12 assists to lead BBP past SWR... Damon Merazzi's 26 points and 7 rebounds helped carry North Shore past Seaford... Dominick White scored 32 points in Southampton's win over Pierson... Dominic Obukwelu had 36 points and 11 rebounds to lead Valley Stream North past Valley Stream South... Jai Feaster's 30 points helped carry Bridgehampton over Ross... Yianni Molos hit a three-pointer with 13 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime and then scored 9 out of Mineola's 10 overtime points to lead them past Plainedge. He finished with 29 points... Ryan Leary had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists to lead Carle Place past Wheatley...
GAMES OF 1/20/2024
Syosset 63 Massapequa 50
Two of the best teams in Section 8 AAA2 went at it, and Syosset continues to be alone in first place and undefeated in league play after sweeping the season series. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/20
Baldwin's Gabe Phillips had 20 points and 17 rebounds in Baldwin's win over Plainview... Team Long Island candidate AJ AbuSaab scored 28 points in Syosset's win over Massapequa...
James Notias scored 26 points to lead Manhasset past Garden City... Jayden Gordan had 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in Freeport's win over Oceanside...
SWEET 16
COACHES POLL
1/21/24
1. Long Island Lutheran
2. Bay Shore
3. William Floyd
4. Port Washington
5. Hills East
6. Baldwin
7. Smithtown West
8. Roslyn
9. Elmont
10. Sewanhaka
11. Patchogue-Medford
12. Brentwood
13. Holy Trinity
14. Chaminade
15. Farmingdale
16. Syosset
ST. ANTHONY'S INVITATIONAL
#7 Chaminade 85 Stony Brook 72
The Bears were coming off a big win over Holy Trinity, but the Flyers got off to a great start and were up by 17 at the half. BOX
#11 Holy Trinity 85 Knox 73
The Titan's motion offense and swarming defense were too much for the Falcons, who did make a late run. BOX
LWA 78 Kellenberg 58
Lawrence Woodmere is one of Long Island's best young teams, and they were at their best against a good Kellenberg team. BOX
St. Anthony's 68 Portledge 59
The game was never in doubt, but the Panthers battled the whole way and made a late run. BOX
LONG ISLAND'S
LEADING SCORERS THU 1/21
Andrew Tudda/Seaford 25.3
Jerimiah Webb/Wyandanch 24.4
James Notias/Manhasset 24.3
Dylan Kopp/Stony Brook 24.0
Alex Davis/Bridgehampton 23.2
Trevor Amalfitano/Port Wash 22.9
Dominic Pennzello/Mt. Sinai 22.8
Harrison Weslek/Shelter Isl 21.8
Leo Ferry/Bellmore 21.6
Dominic Obukwelu/VS North 21.3
Luke Seltzer/Pierson 21.3
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/21
Team Long Island candidate Joe Knaus had 18 points and 11 rebounds in Chaminade's win over Stony Brook... Justin Brown finished with 33 points in Holy Trinity's win over Knox. Team Long Island candidate Reggie Pierre had 35 for Knox... Caleb Ourigou finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 6 blocks in LWA's win over Kellenberg...
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/22
Jerimiah Webb had 29 points, 5 assists and 5 steals to lead Wyandanch past Miller Place... Aidan Bayer had 12 points, 21 rebounds, 3 blocks and 4 steals in Comsewogue's win over Hills West.... Paul Febbraro scored 25 points and Joey Mammolito had 18 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists in John Glen's win over Sayville. Richie Carmody had 32 points for Sayville... Izaiah Richards had 11 points and 20 rebounds in East Meadow's win over Jericho... Nehemiah Yuen had 20 points and 4 assists, Isaiah McCarter 17 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Duke Rancey 12 points and 10 rebounds.in Smithtown Christian's win over Greenport...
GAMES OF 1/23/2024
#2 Bay Shore 54 Northport 51
Playing a good, well coached team on their home court has been the death of many winning streaks. The game was played at Northport's pace, but the Marauders survived against their long time rivals to remain undefeated. BOX
Pierson 81 Bayport-Blue Point 78
Now in Class B, the defending Long Island Class C Champions picked up their biggest win of the season, knocking off Class A first place BBP. BOX
Commack 71 Copiague 29
The Cougars reminded us all that that are a team to watch out for with this dominant win, sending the Eagles to their 7th loss in their last 9 games. BOX
GAMES OF 1/22/2024
East Meadow 67 Jericho 64
This one goes right into the big road win column. East Meadow, Jericho, and Great Neck South will be battling for the top spot in Section 8 AA3 the rest of the way, and the team that picks up the most big road wins will prevail. This is #2 for the Jets. BOX
Wyandanch 75 Miller Place 57
The Warriors have won 7 of their last 8. BOX
John Glenn 66 Sayville 58
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 1/23
Team Long Island's Luke Seltzer had 38 points and 12 rebounds in Pierson's win over BBP... Southampton's Dominick White had 28 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Mariners past Mattituck... Daniel Blake-Watson had 27 points and 10 rebounds in North Babylon's win over over Sachem North... Team Long Island's
Christian Smiley had 20 points and 16 rebounds and Team Long Island teammate Carter Wilson 10 points and 9 assists to lead Bay Shore past Northport... Team Long Island's Devon Clarke had 19 points and 13 rebounds in Brentwood's win over Ward Melville... Brian Haselton's three-pointer at the buzzer gave Sayville a win over Islip...
GAMES OF 1/24/2024
Friends Academy 63 LWA 57
Two of Long Island's most storied private school basketball programs faced off, and the Quakers utilized a balanced attack and a fourth quarter rally for the big road win. BOX
Hampton Bays 70 Wyandanch 53
The Baymen trailed early but pulled away in the second half in front of their home crowd to hand Wyandanch only their second loss in their last nine games. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS OF 1/24
Jermaine King had 14 points and 7 assists and Jake Yourison 10 points and 10 rebounds in William Floyd's win over Riverhead... Dominic Pennzello had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists for Mt Sinai in a win over Harborfields... James Powers had 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Isaiah Lattanzio 15 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead Hampton Bays over Wyandanch...
GAMES OF 1/25/2024
#8 Roslyn 71 #10 Sewanhaka 62
With this win and a win over Elmont last week, the Bulldogs are now in a first place tie with the Spartans, a game ahead of Sewanhaka in Section 8 AA4. Sewanhaka @ Elmont Jan 30th and the rematch between Roslyn and Sewanhaka on Feb 7th should decide things. BOX
#13 Holy Trinity 66 Kellenberg 54
This win by the Titans brings Kellenberg back to the pack in the NSCHSAA, where first Place Chaminade has just a two game lead over last place St. Dominic. BOX
GAMES OF 1/26/2024
#15 Farmingdale 57 #6 Baldwin 53
The Dalers now have wins over Baldwin, Port Washington, and Plainview in their quest for a league title in very tough Section 8 AAA2. BOX
West Hempstead 68 Locust Valley 64
Five teams are in the hunt for first place in Section 8 ABC, and the Rams defended their home court to move into a tie with Locust Valley and Carle Place for second place - behind Cold Spring Harbor. BOX
Westhampton 66 Amityville 55
That's 7 in a row and a 10-1 league record for the Hurricanes BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS OF 1/26
Andrew Tudda scored 33 points to lead Seaford past Lawrence... West Hempstead defeated Malverne behind 27 points from Anthony Graffeo-Jackson... Ryan Leary had 26 points and 5 assists for Carle Place in their win over Evergreen Charter... Vasilis Triantafyllou led North Shore with 25 points in their win over Malverne... Westbury's Apollo Simmons scored 25 points in Westbury's win over Academy Charter... Marquese Dennis had 19 points, 14 rebounds and 4 steals to lead Brentwood past Riverhead... Ethan Appolon from Harborfields had 17 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Miller Place. Joe Strickland had 26 points for Miller Place... Corey Bazemore had 12 points, 17 rebounds and 4 steals and Phillip Mitchell 10 points and 10 rebounds in William Floyd's win over Central Islip... Tyler Ziminski had 14 points and 12 rebounds in John Glenn's win over Hampton Bays... Dominic Obukwelu had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Danny Kosior 13 points and 12 rebounds in Valley Stream North's win over Lynbrook...
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS OF 1/25
Luke Seltzer led Pierson past Mattituck with 28 points... Newfield's Michael Favaloro scored 27 points to lift Newfield past Northport... Carter Wilson had 16 points and 7 assists in Bay Shore's win over Lindenhurst... Hills East's Brandon Varlack scored 14 points and had 7 assists in their win over Bellport... Zach Kuppersmith had 15 points with 10 rebounds for Roslyn in their win over Sewanhaka... Dylan Craig had 36 points and 10 steals, Robby Maurer 20 points and 6 assists and Brendan Waters had 19 points and 11 rebounds in Bayport-Blue Point's win over Port Jefferson...
FARMINGDALE STATE 19-1
The Rams have won 15 in a row!
GAMES OF 1/27/2024
LI Lutheran 74 Eagle Academy II 58
The Crusaders took on defending PSAL Champion Eagle Academy II and Eagle put up a good fight, taking several first half leads and rallying to tie the game about half way through the 3rd quarter, but the Crusaders answered with an 11-0 run and it was 51-39 at the 3rd quarter and that's as close as it would get the rest of the way. BOX
Great Neck South 57 Jericho 49
Barring any surprises, the battle for first in Sec 8 AA3 is down to GNS and East Meadow after the Jayhawks lost to both in the past week on their home court. The two meet 2/10 at East Meadow BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS OF 1/27
Alex Lugo scored 28 points for New Hyde Park in their loss to Elmont... Jordan Tucker scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Sewanhaka past Calhoun... East Meadow's Mazin Ibrahem scored 30 points to lead the Jets past MacArthur. Mike Kondyra had 28 points for the Generals... Mike Main hit the game winning free throw and finished with 22 points and 10 assists to carry Long Beach past Herricks... Richie Carmody scored 10 of Sayville's 12 points in overtime to lead them past Kings Park... VSC's Sean O'Neil had 15 points,7 assists and 6 steals in a win over Mepham...
SWEET 16
COACHES POLL
1/28/24
1. Long Island Lutheran
2. Bay Shore
3. William Floyd
4. Port Washington
5. Hills East
6. Smithtown West
7. Holy Trinity
8. Roslyn
9. Farmingdale
10. Baldwin
11. Elmont
12. Patchogue-Medford
13. Brentwood
14. Chaminade
15. Syosset
16. Sewanhaka
300 FOR COACH BUCK!
Long Island Lutheran coach John Buck picked up his 300th career victory in Saturday's big win over defending PSAL Champion Eagle Academy II. A national high school coach of the year nominee last season, Coach Buck's teams have won 4 New York State Championships and he has reestablished the basketball program as one of the top programs in the county. Congratulations coach Buck!
300 and counting!
MORE HIGHLIGHTS OF 1/25
Naevon Williams had 12 points and 7 assists for Southampton is a win over Center Moriches... Manhasset's James Notias scored 28 points and handed out 7 assists to carry them past Bellmore... AJ Vurchio led the way with 31 points and 4 assists in Sachem East's victory over Walt Whitman... Casmere Morrow had 26 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks in Rocky Points win over Comsewogue... ... Alec Anderson scored 15 points and had 11 rebounds for Plainedge in their win over New Hyde Park...
MORE HIGHLIGHTS OF 1/24
Southold's Jack Sepenoski had 14 points and 8 assists in their win over Shelter Island... Isaiah McCarter had 20 points, 20 rebounds and 3 blocks to carry Smithtown Christian past Ross... Ayden Alleyne had 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists in LuHI PSAA's win over Portledge.
NEW YORK STATE RANKINGS
New York State Sportswriter Association
AS OF 1/28
CLASS AAA
#1 Long Island Lutheran
#6 Bay Shore
#12 William Floyd
#20 Port Washington
#28 Farmingdale
#30 Baldwin
CLASS AA
#12 Hills East
#13 Smithtown West
#22 Roslyn
#27 Holy Trinity
#29 Chaminade
CLASS A
#11 Bayport-Blue Point
#12 Southampton
#23 Friends Academy
#24 Lawrence Woodmere Academy
CLASS B
#13 Pierson
CLASS C
None ranked
CLASS D
#13 Bridgehampton
#14 Smithtown Christian
GAMES OF 1/29/24
#2 Bay Shore 53 Commack 47
Most of Bay Shore's toughest league games were at home the first time though, and they survived another big test on the road, beating the Cougars, who rallied late. BOX
Amityville 68 Hauppauge 63 OT
This Amityville team will be dangerous come playoff time, beating second place Hauppauge on the road. BOX
Wheatley 41 Cold Spring Harbor 39
Wheatley is another team to watch come playoff time, beating the first place Seahawks on the road. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS OF 1/29
Anthony Caris had 32 points in Floral Park's win over Mineola... Isaiah Blunt had 26 points in West Hempstead's win over Evergreen Charter... Peter Pinero's layup with 1.5 seconds remaining forced overtime and he led Connetquot past Sachem North with 26 points... Romeo Soriano scored 25 points to lead East islip over Eastport-South manor... Team Long Island's Carter Wilson had 22 points and 5 assists in Bay Shore's win over Commack... Dominic Obukwelu had 20 points and 12 rebounds to carry Valley Stream North past Wantagh... Aidan Bayer had 19 points, 15 rebounds and 7 steals in Comsewogue's win over East Hampton... The dynamic duo of Amir Dickerson and Seville Williams both had 19 points in Amityville's win over Hauppauge. Dickerson added 5 assists and Williams 6... Smithtown West's Lorenzo Rappa had 16 points and 5 assists in a win over Bellport... Wyandanch's Jerimiah Webb had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the Warriors win over Westhampton. Patrick Donahue had 33 points in the loss... Vince Corso's three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in overtime gave Hills West the win over Rocky Point.
GAMES OF 1/30/24
St. Anthony's 71 #7 Holy Trinity 59
Very impressive road win for the Friars. They led wire to wire. I'm not sure I've seen this much parity in the NSCHSAA before. Holy Trinity drops back into a tie with St. Anthony's for second place, a game behind Chaminade, and the first place Flyers have only a 3 game lead over last place St. Dominic. BOX
Calhoun 58 #8 Roslyn 55
An absolute stunner. Roslyn had a 10 game winning streak and was 13-2 coming into this game, while the Colts were 2-8 in league play. BOX
Massapequa 62 #9 Farmingdale 51
Massapequa is a good team playing on their home court, and the teams are rivals - the recipe for an upset. BOX
South Side 77 Hewlett 58
The Cyclones look like they are in charge in Section 8 AA5, undefeated so far in league play. BOX
LWA 74 LuHi PSAA 49
LWA, who starts two sophomores and a freshman, is alone in first in the PSAA. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS OF 1/30
Marquese Dennis scored a Brentwood record 53 points in their win over Central Islip and added 15 rebounds and 4 steals... Brian Kopp had 25 points in Massapequa's win over Farmingdale. Jake Mangio finished with 26 points in the loss... Team long Island's Cassius Moore had 28 points to lead Elmont past Sewanhaka... Devon Carter had 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists in Islip's win over John Glenn... Chaminade's Kam Elliott had 16 points and 5 assists in their win over St. Dominic... South Side's Patrick Mullin had 25 points to lead the Cyclones over Hewlett... Isaiah McCarter's 23 points and 18 rebounds led Smithtown Christian past Bridgehampton... Richie Carmody had 29 points and 6 rebounds in Sayville's win over Harborfields... Luke Chitkara's 15 points and 6 assists and Lorenzo Beaton's 13 points and 10 rebounds pushed Ward Melville past Riverhead... Mt. Sinai's Dominic Pennzello scored 27 points and added 7 rebounds and 4 assists in their win over Miller Place...
LONG ISLAND PRO UPDATES
Hills West's Tobias Harris is averaging 17.7 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists for the Philadelphia 76ers... The Long Island Nets are 8-5 and in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference of the G-League... Brentwood's Lester Quinones is averaging 22 ppg for Santa Cruise in the G-League... Baldwin's Jared Rhoden is averaging 19.6 points and 5.6 rebound and shooting 40% from 3 for Motor City of the G-League... Hofstra's Justin Wright-Foreman is averaging 18.3 points and 4.1 assists for Mexico City of the G-League... LuHi's Tyson Etienne is averaging 7.5 ppg for College Park of the G-League... Terry Roberts from Copiague is averging 6.5 ppg for Long Island in the G-League... Chase Audige from Coram is averaging 4.1 ppg for Capital city in the G-League...
OVERSEAS PLAYERS COMING SOON
SEC 8 PLAYOFF QUALIFIERS
The following Section 8 teams have qualified for the playoffs A/O 1/29
CLASS AAA
Hempstead
Massapequa
Port Washington
Syosset
CLASS AA
East Meadow
Elmont
Great Neck South
Hewlett
Jericho
Manhasset
Roslyn
Sewanhaka
South Side
CLASS A
Cold Spring Harbor
Floral Park
Friends Academy
Locust Valley
North Shore
Valley Stream North
CLASS B
Carle Place
West Hempstead
GAMES OF 1/31/24
Port Washington 70 Farmingdale 52
The Vikings got their revenge with another display of great rebounding and outstanding help defense. BOX
Newfield 46 Commack 38
The Wolverines have to be drawing some attention after going 5-1 in their last 6 games, including wins over Northport and now Commack, who are both ahead of them in the standings. BOX
Westhampton 48 Hauppauge 42
The Hurricane's picked up their 8th straight victory and are now 11-1 in league play - good for first place in Section 11 AA4. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS OF 1/31
This one is from 1/29: Vasilis Triantafyllou scored 40 points, including the 1,000th point of his career in North Shore's win over Lawrence...
Now 1/31: Dominick White had 29 points and Naevon Williams 23 points and 4 assists to lead Southampton past Shoreham-Wading River... Sincere McDougal had 37 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in Babylon's win over Port Jefferson... Seville Williams had 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Amir Dickerson 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in Amityville's win over ESM... Ethan Saintjean had 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists and Jesse Brooks 12 points and 11 assists to lead Hills West past East Hampton...
------- THE 2023-2024 SEASON --------
GAMES OF 2/1/24
Walt Whitman 49 Patchogue-Med 44
The 7-8 Wildcats swept the season series from Pat-Med. BOX
Floral Park 41 Valley Stream N. 36
Six in a row for the second place Knights, and a big win over first place Valley Stream North. BOX
West Hempstead 55 CS Harbor 30
Statement game for West Hempstead, who lost by 20 the last time the teams played in early January. The two teams were part of a four way tie for first in Section 8 Conference ABC8, and the Rams now have recent wins on the other three. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS OF 2/1
Marquese Dennis scored 22 points and had 11 rebounds and 4 assists in Brentwood's win over Longwood...
Dominic Pennzello had 21 points and 11 rebounds in Mt. Sinai's win over Sayviille... Marcine Allen-Boutwell had 14 points and 7 assists and Michael Frankie 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead Bellport past West Babylon...
Jeremiah Webb had 20 points, 6 assists, and 7 steals to carry Wyandanch past Harborfields...
LI'S 30 PPG SCORERS
LI Players that averaged 30 points or more in a season:
Jim Brown Manhasset 38.1
Derek Brown Carey 36.8
Wally Szczerbiak Cold Spring Harbor 36.6
Will Brown Miller Place 36.0
Chris Rooney Smithtown West 34.2
Zaire Baines Portledge 33.5
Savion Lewis Hills East 33.5
George Beamon Roslyn 33.3
Jarell White Bellport 33.0
Bob Wheeler Glen Cove 32.0
BEST DEFENSIVE TEAMS
The teams that have allowed the fewest points per game and their won-loss records.(Through 1/31/24)
Hauppauge 41.8 (13-4)
William Floyd 43.6 (16-0)
Sewanhaka 44.2 (13-4)
South Side 44.8 (15-2)
Baldwin 45.1 (12-4)
LONG ISLAND'S ALL TIME GREATEST PLAYER!
An excellent compilation of Dr. J dunks and shots to share, especially if you've never seen him play. HERE
GAMES OF 2/2/24
Smithtown East 52 #5 Hills East 45
This is the time of year when you have to be at your best to win the big games and 13-4 Smithtown East was at its best in this one and took a big step out of Smithtown West's shadow. BOX
SJB 66 #7 Holy Trinity 60
I hate to be repetitive, but great parity in the NSCHSAA this season. Chaminade has the best shot at pulling away from the pack with just one league loss. BOX
Great Neck South 60 Long Beach 44
The Rebels used a balanced attack to pull away for an impressive road win, keeping pace with East Meadow in the battle for first place in Section 8 AA3 BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS OF 2/2
From 1/31: Christian Thomas had 24 points and 19 rebounds in St. Dominic's win over St. Mary's. 2/2: Freshman
Peyton Howell had 25 points, 10 assists, and 5 steals and Chase Timberlake 21 points, 3 assists and 3 steals to lead Baldwin past Westbury... AJ AbuSaab scored 29 points to carry Syosset past Freeport... Jordan Tucker hit a game winning three-pointer with 6 seconds left to push Sewanhaka past Great Neck North... Naevon Williams scored 26 points and Dominick White 25 in Southampton's win over Port Jefferson. Alex Franklin registered 11 assists. Tyler Cobb led Port Jeff with 30 points... BBP's Robby Maurer had 25 points in their win over Babylon...
300 FOR JACK DAVENPORT!
Another beloved Long Island coach passed a major milestone when Bethpage coach Jack Davenport registered his 300th career victory. His current team has won 4 of its last 5 games and is one of the top defensive teams on Long Island, allowing an average of just 47 points per game. They've held their last two opponents to 25 and 38 points respectively! Congratulations Coach!
GAMES OF 2/3/24
William Floyd 73 Walt Whitman 40
Whitman has pulled off some big upsets this season, but the Colonials would have none of it, jumping out to a 20-8 1st quarter lead and cruising from there. BOX
Manhasset 67 South Side 50
It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Indians, but they stopped defending Section 8 champion South Side, who came into the game 14-1 and undefeated in league play, for a huge road win. After a slow start, they are now 12-5 and tied with the Cyclones for first place in Section 8 AA5. BOX
Long Island Lutheran 75 Gonzaga 60
The traditional Maryland powerhouse came into the game with a 20-3 record, but the Crusaders built a third quarter lead and held on for the big road win. HIGHLIGHTS
Bay Shore 66 North Babylon 55
The undefeated Marauders came through a tough stretch were they faced all three of their top competitors in Section 11 AAA2 on the road and went 3-0. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS OF 2/3
Carter Wilson's 27 points and 7 assists carried Bay Shore past North Babylon... Dahmorian Moses had 19 points and 12 rebounds, Jawuan Smith 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Jermaine King had 10 assists in Floyd's win over Whitman...
Manhasset's James Notias finished with 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists lead them past South Side... AJ Vurchio scored 15 points and handed out 5 assists in Sachem East's win over Central Islip...
GAMES OF 2/4/24
Holy Trinity 57 Msgr. Farrell 44
After back to back losses, the Titans needed a good win to get back on track and they got it, and on the road too. BOX
Thurgood Marshall 66 Baldwin 64
The Bruins are struggling a bit (3-3 in their last 6) but I guarantee you nobody wants to play them in the playoffs. BOX
GAMES OF 2/5/24
Smithtown W 65 Smithtown E 56 OT
The rivalry is alive and well. A big 3rd quarter gave East the lead, but West rallied and pulled away in OT to pick up the impressive road win. BOX
Friends Acad 68 North Shore 50
Every year, it seems like Friends is a serious contender. North Shore is good team, but they could not stay with the Quakers. BOX
Floral Park 76 Wantagh 59
The Knights struggled from mid-December to early January, going 2-3, but have reeled off 7 wins in a row since then to thrust themselves into the conversation.
Knox 82 LuHi PSAA 74
Knox has talent, but with so many new faces, its taken them time to jell. It looks like they are coming together for the playoffs. BOX
Westhampton 70 Comsewogue 47
That's 10 in a row for the Hurricanes, who are knocking on the door of the Sweet 16. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 2/5
Jack Melore scored 12 of Smithtown West's 15 points in overtime to lead them past Smithtown East... Jordan Heyman
had 13 points and 6 assists in Hills East's road win over Deer Park... Anthony Caris scored 30 points and Ryan Connolly had 11 points 7 rebounds, 11 assists and 11 steals in Floral Park's win over Wantagh... Luke Chitkara had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists for Ward Melville in their win over Longqwood... Malverne's Chad Wesley finished with 20 points and 5 assists in their win over Lawrence... AJ Vurchio had 30 points for Sachem East in a loss to Brentwood...
Jamel Williams scored 35 points and Jerimiah Webb had 21 points, 3 assits, and 4 steals for Wyandach in a win over Mt. Sinai. Dominic Pennzello
scored 27 points for the Mustangs...
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS/SEASON
Farmingdale's and Team Long Island's Kayden Mingo is Long Island Lutheran's leading scorer in league play so far this season, averaging 17.8 points per game, which puts him 5th in the league, and he is tied with Huntington's Nigel James for the team lead in assists per game with 4.4 2/5
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS OF 2/4
Chase Timberlake had 40 points in Baldwin's loss to Thurgood Marshall (PSAL)...
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 2/7
Andrew Tudda scored 27 points in Seaford's win over Clarke. Long Island's leading scorer has had 17 games of 20 points or more and 7 of 30 points or more... Jawuan Smith led William Floyd past Patchogue-Medford with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocked shots...
Marquese Dennis had 23 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists and Team long Island's Devin Clarke 11 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists in Brentwood's win over Walt Whitman... East Meadow's Nick DeStefano had 20 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Jets over Jericho. Josh Rubin had 27 points for Jericho... Sylvanus Tabe and Hank Williams both had 26 points in LWA's win over Martin Luther... Tyler Ziminski had 11 points and 14 rebounds for John Glenn in their win over Mt. Sinai... Jamel Williams from Wyandanch had 19 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds in their win over Miller Place... Eric Heimlich's jumper with 28 seconds remaining gave Islip the win over Kings Park... Isaiah Lattanzio had 12 points and 10 rebounds and James Powers 12 points, 5 assists and 4 steals in Hampton Bay's win over Harborfields...
GAMES OF OF 2/7/24
William Floyd 62 Patchogue-Med 44
In many people's minds, the Colonials are still unproven, but they keep beating everybody they play. They'll have their chance to remove all doubt in the playoffs where they are looking like a 1 or 2 seed. BOX
East Meadow 75 Jericho 60
The Jets kept pace with Great Neck South heading into their first place showdown on Saturday and knocked the Jayhawks out of contention for the top spot. BOX
Roslyn 67 Sewanhaka 59
Roslyn is definitely one of the teams to beat in Section 8 AA. BOX
GAMES OF 2/6/24
#4 Port Wash. 52 #6 Baldwin 42
Many people think that Port Washington is Long Island's best public school basketball team. BOX
#11 Syosset 74 Hempstead 69
Syosset takes command in Section 8 AAA1 with a 2 game lead over the Tigers. BOX
#13 Farmingdale 55 Westbury 47
The Dalers firmed up their lock on 3rd place in Section 8 AAA2. BOX
St. Dominic 68 #15 Holy Trinity 57
Big win for the Bayhawks. It gets them back into the thick of things. Titans 1-3 in their last 4. BOX
North Babylon 74 Newfield 55
The Bulldogs convincingly broke Newfield's 5 game winning streak and won their 4th straight. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS OF 2/6
Brian Kopp's 30 points led Massapequa past Hicksville... Daniel Blake-Watson had 26 points and 10 rebounds and Kameron Quinn added 16 points and eight assists in North Babylon's win over Newfield... Team Long Island's Christian Smiley had 25 points and 7 rebounds in Bay Shore's win over Copiague... Austin Wrynn had 10 points and 10 rebounds in Kellenberg's win over St. Mary's...
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS OF 2/8
Tristan Mitchell hit the game winning three-pointer at the buzzer to lock up the Conference A6 regular season title for Valley Stream North... Chad Wesley had 22 points and 7 assists and William Hartley 13 points and 10 rebounds in Malverne's win over Island Trees... Sachem North's Andrew Eaton had 27 points in their win over Lindenhurst...
Mike Finnegan had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Amir Christian 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead Mattituck over Port Jefferson...
GAMES OF OF 2/8/24
#2 Bay Shore 75 Connetquot 37
The Marauders capped off an undefeated regular season with their 20th straight victory. BOX
#16 Friends Acad 81 Lawrence 37
The A7 Champion Quakers have won 14 straight heading into the playoffs. BOX
Floral Park 71 Valley Stream So. 44
The Knights closed out their regular season with their 8th straight win, good for second place in Conference A6. BOX
LONG ISLAND'S NCAA LEADERS (through 1/21/24)
Tray Alexander from Freeport leads NCAA D 2 with 7.5 assists per game, has the 27th best assist/turnover ratio at 2.7, and is 34th in steals per game at 2.12.
Team Long Island’s Savion Lewis from Dix Hills is #2 nationally in NCAA Division 1, averaging 7.6 Assists Per Game... Team Long Island’s Darnel Evans from Amityville ranks 5th nationally in Division 2, averaging 25.2 points per game, and is 12th in steals per game at 2.43 pg... Team Long Island’s Michael O'Connell from Mineola ranks 20th nationally in NCAA Division 1, with an assist/turnover ratio of 3.21.. Xavier Allen from Mattituck ranks 20th nationally in Division 3, averaging 21.4 points per game. Freeport’s Ryan Dunn ranks 24th nationally in NCAA Division 1, averaging 2.2 blocks per game
Rockville Centre’s TJ Long ranks 48th nationally in NCAA Division 1 with a 3-point shooting percentage of 40.2%... Westbury’s Tryeik Frazier ranks 27th nationally in Division 3, averaging 2.1 blocks per game ... Team Long Island’s Javon Santos from Elmont ranks 31st nationally in Division 3 with 4.9 assists per game... Danny Ashley from Uniondale ranks 38th nationally in Division 3 with an assist/turnover ratio of 2.50.
GAMES OF OF 2/9/24
#1 LI Lutheran 83 IMG 81 OT
The Crusaders are 1 game behind league leading Montverde in the loss column after this road win, their 7th win of the season over a nationally ranked team. It broke IMG's 8 game winning streak. They have a showdown with the Eagles Friday 2/16 at Hofstra. STATS
#9 Brentwood 62 Pat-Med 43
Brentwood avenged their loss to the Raiders back on 1/11. BOX
#10 Chaminade 74 Kellenberg 56
The Flyers are starting to pull away from the pack in the NSCHSAA with their 7th straight league win. BOX
#11 Syosset 81 Oceanside 63
The Braves closed out their season with their 10th straight win. BOX
St. Dominic 55 #14 St. Anthony's 52
They started the week in last place but the Bayhawks have knocked off both Holy Trinity and the Friars to get back in the race. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 2/9
Kyle Dillon had 20 points and 5 assists and Devin Dillon 18 points and 4 assists in Chaminade's win over Kellenberg...
Dominic Pennzello scored 27 points to lead Mt. Sinai past Hampton Bays.
Patrick Donahue had 31 points for Hampton Bays... Stevie Aulicino's 25 points carried Herricks past MacArthur...
Peyton Howell had 30 points and 5 assists to lead Baldwin over Plainview...
Marquese Dennis scored 1,000th career point in Brentwood's win over Pat-Med. He finished with 15 points... Syosset's AJ AbuSaab scored 25 points in their win over Oceanside... Tyler Liautaud hit the game-winning three-pointer with 8 seconds left to lead St. Dominic over St. Anthony's. Adam Jerome had 16 points and 15 rebounds and Christian Thomas 14 points with 12 rebounds in the win...
GAMES OF OF 2/10/24
Great Neck So 47 East Meadow 45
The Jets led almost the whole way in a tight game, but the Rebels rallied for a big road win and the Sec 8 AA3 title. BOX
Manhasset 68 Hewlett 38
They started 0-4, but finished with 10 straight wins and tied for first with South Side in Sec 8 AA5 BOX
Garden City 48 Sewanhaka 46
Sewanhaka got off to an 8-1 start this season but stumbled to the finish line, losing 3 of their last 4. BOX
SJB 66 St. Dominic 59
The unpredictable NSCHSAA season continues, with Chaminade still out in front and everybody else bunched up behind them. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 2/10
Jayden Diaz scored his 1000th career point in Bethpage's playoff qualifying win over Roosevelt. He finished with 22 points... Cody Brush had 33 points to carry Division past Glen Cove and into the playoffs... Kieran Kehoe scored 30 points for Mepham in a win over MacArthur... Sean O'Neil had 16 points and 6 assists and Kyle Thomas 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists to lead Valley Stream Central over Long Beach... Joey Mammolito had 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists in John Glenn's win over Miller Place... Jerimiah Webb had 14 points and 7 assists to lift Wyandanch past Sayville... Dwayne Meadors had 6 blocked shots in Hempstead's win over Massapequa... AJ Vurchio had 25 points, 6 assists, and 5 steals in Sachem East's victory over Riverhead... Dominic Pennzello scored 27 points to lead Mt. Sinai over Hampton Bays... Ward Melville's Lorenzo Beaton had 17 points and 11 rebounds in their win over Walt Whitman...
MONTVERDE ROCKS LUHI
We found out what the difference is between "the best" high school basketball team and "one of the best". The Crusaders, who have beaten a long list of nationally ranked teams and were playing in front of a big Long Island crowd, were never really in it, falling 90-58. 2/16
PSAA PLAYOFFS
QUARTERFINALS/WEDNESDAY 2/14
Knox 87 Portledge 81
For the first time since 2020, someone other than Portledge will be the PSAA Champion. All four of the higher seeds in the quarterfinals advanced.
GAMES OF 2/12/24
William Floyd 55 Brentwood 54
This one has been on everybody's "Can't Miss Games" list since early January, and it lived up to the hype. The undefeated Colonials climbed out of a 20-5 hole to pull within 2 at the half, and trailing by 8 entering the fourth quarter, staged a dramatic rally in front of a big home crowd, topped off by a last second steal and free throw by Jermaine King for a 1 point win and season sweep of defending Long Island Champion Brentwood. Floyd finished the season 20-0. BOX
Deer Park 55 Bellport 52
Trailing 39-22 with 5:35 to play in the 3rd quarter, the Falcons went on a 21-3 run to take the lead and held it behind Ethan Nelson and Ryan Rose, who had 12 of their 13 fourth quarter points. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 2/12
Team long Island's Dylan Kopp had 31 points in Stony Brook's PSAA Quarterfinal victory over Waldorf... LWA's Hank Williams scored 27 points in their PSAA Quarterfinal win over Kew Forest...
Matthew Plezimond had 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists and Ayden Alleyne 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead LuHi PSSAA over Martin Luther in a PSAA Quarterfinal matchup... Nick Waga had 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists to lead Commack past Sachem North... Jack Melore scored 24 points and had 3 assists in Smithtown West's win over Huntington... Kings Park's Thomas Matonti had 23 points and 4 assists in their win over Harborfields... Ethan Nelson had 17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 7 steals to lead Deer Park over Bellport... Patrick Donahue's 33 points carried Hampton Bays past Miller Place...
SECTION 8 REGULAR SEASON SCORING CHAMPION
Andrew Tudda Seaford 26.3 ppg
PSAA FINAL FOUR PREVIEW
WEDNESDAY 2/14
4:15 PM #4 Knox @ #1 LWA
HEAD TO HEAD
LWA 81-54, 93-77
6:15 #3 LuHI PSAA @ #2 Stony Brook
HEAD TO HEAD
Stony Brook 85-77, LuHi 68-60, 2/13
SECTION 8 REGULAR SEASON THREE POINT CHAMPION
Leo Ferry Bellmore 71
GAMES OF 2/14/24
LWA 74 Knox 57
The top seed advanced to the PSAA Championship Game, registering their third win over a good Falcons team this season. BOX
Stony Brook 62 LuHi PSAA 61
The Bears advanced to their first PSAA Championship game with the dramatic win. BOX
#9 Chaminade 80 St. Anthony's 68
The Flyers continue to pull away from the pack, rolling over the second place Friars. BOX
Rocky Point 66 Westhampton 60
Statement win for the Eagles, who broke Westhampton's 11 game winning streak to clinch a playoff spot. BOX
Pat-Med 69 Ward Melville 49
The Raiders got back on track heading into the playoffs, beating a good team going away after losing their previous three. BOX
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS 2/14
Dominick White led Southampton past Pierson with 29 points... Anias Duncan had 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in Amithville's win over East Hampton... Kyle Dillon had 20 points and 7 assists in Chaminade's win over St. Anthony's... Rocky Point's Casmere Morrow racked up 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals in their win over Westhampton... Brandon Torres had 25 points for St. Dominic in a loss to SJB... Cole Wood scored 27 points in Hauppauge's win over Hills West... Dominick White had 29 points in Southampton's win over Pierson... Robby Maurer had 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals and Dylan Craig 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists to lead Bayport-Blue Point past SWR... Josh Hayes scored 26 points in Newfield's win over Connetquot... Babylon's Trevor Thuma had 18 points,10 rebounds and 4 blocked shots and Sincere McDougal 14 points and 6 assists in their win over Mattituck...
2/23 SECTION 8 PLAYOFFS
CLASS B SEMIFINALS
Carle Place 51 East Rockaway 29
West Hempstead over Oyster Bay
BY FORFEIT
SECTION 11 REGULAR SEASON SCORING CHAMPION
Dominick White Southampton 23.4
SECTION 11 REGULAR SEASON THREE PT CHAMPION
Thomas Matonti Kings Park 66
NSCHSAA REGULAR SEASON
Thursday 2/22
St. Anthony's 60 #8 Chaminade 55
Big win for the Friars and a reminder that although the Flyers are certainly the favorites, any team can win the NSCHSAA this season. James Taylor Jr. was the spark in the first half and Connor Mannix in the second, and sophomore point guard Kevin Moore led the way with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. BOX
Tuesday, 2/20
#8 Chaminade 77 SJB 69
It looked like Chaminade's 7 game winning streak might be over, but the Flyers responded with a 29 point fourth quarter to boost their league record to 9-1, good for a 4 game lead over
second place teams Holy Trinity and St. Anthony's. Devin Dillon had 25 points and Kam Elliott 23 to lead the way. BOX
St. Mary's 65 St. Anthony's 54
Trailing by 3 after three quarters, the Gaels held the Friars to 4 fourth quarter points. Myles Herbert had his second big game against the Friars, finishing with 21 points. BOX
St. Dominic 63 Kellenberg 46
The Bayhawks snapped a three game losing streak, holding the Firebirds to 8 4th quarter points. Christian Thomas has been a double-double machine this season and finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds. BOX 2/20
2/20 SECTION 8 PLAYOFFS
CLASS AA QUARTERFINALS
Sewanhaka 64 #14 GN South 40
#6 Elmont 80 East Meadow 54
#12 Roslyn 65 Jericho 51
South Side 58 #15 Manhasset 53
TWO FORFEITS
Both Oyster Bay and LWA have to forfeit their playoff games.
2/22 SECTION 11 PLAYOFFS
CLASS AA QUARTERFINALS
Amityville 60 Hills West 55
Bellport 55 East Islip 43
Deer Park 71 Rocky Point 50
DARIUS BURTON 400!
Baldwin's Darius Burton, who has guided his Bruins to four Long Island Championships and eight Section 8 Championships, picked up his 400th career victory in Baldwin's 2023-24 Class AAA Semifinal win over Hempstead. Burton's teams have all played outstanding defense, and his 400th win was no exception, with the Bruins holding the Tigers to just 42 points, 23 points below their season average. Congratulations Coach! Can't wait for the next 400! 2/25
COMPLETE 2023-24 RESULTS
2/24 SECTION 11 PLAYOFFS
CLASS AA QUARTERFINALS
Smithtown West 68 Bellport 37
Hills East 81 Amityville 56
Deer Park 64 Westhampton 57
Smithtown East 65 Hauppauge 49
CLASS A QUARTERFINALS
Wyandanch 60 Sayville 55 OT
Bayport-BP 69 Mt Sinai 59
Southampton 64 Kings Park 33
OUR BEST TEAMS
2023-24
SWEET 16
COACHES POLL
FINAL
1. Long Island Lutheran
2. Bay Shore
3. Chaminade
4. Elmont
5. William Floyd
6. Baldwin
7. Hills East
8. Smithtown West
9. Port Washington
10. Syosset
11. Commack
12. Friends Academy
13. Southampton
14. Roslyn
15. Hempstead
16. South Side
2/25 SECTION 8 PLAYOFFS
CLASS AAA SEMIFINALS
#4 Port Washington 66 #11 Syosset 56
#10 Baldwin 60 #16 Hempstead 42
NYSIAS STATE SEMIFINALS
Hackley 64 Stony Brook 52
Fieldston 72 Portledge 63 2/23
THREE CHAMPIONS CROWNED
Three Section 11 Championship games were played on 2/29
CLASS B CHAMPIONSHIP
Pierson 53 Babylon 39
STORY BOX SCORE
CLASS C CHAMPIONSHIP
Southold 57 Greenport 41
STORY BOX SCORE
CLASS D CHAMPIONSHIP
Smithtown Christian 60 Bridgehampton 45
STORY BOX SCORE
PLAYER PLAYOFF HIGHLIGHTS THRU 2/24
Ethan Nelson scored 25 points in Deer Park's win over Westhampton. Truman Hahn had 34 points for Westhampton... Hills East's Jordan Cador had 12 points and 12 rebounds in their win over Amityville... Robby Maurer had 22 points and 5 assists for BBP in their win over Mt. Sinai. Mike Luce added 16 points and 11 rebounds... Naevon Williams had 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists and Dominick White 14 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists to lead Southampton over Kings Park... Nick Waga hit two free throws with 0.6 seconds left to lift Commack past Patchogue-Medford... Jermaine King had 13 points and 8 assists and Dahmorian Moses 12 points and 10 rebounds for William Floyd in a win over North Babylon... Bay Shore's Carter Wilson had 18 points and five assists in their win over Ward Melville... Ethan Nelson had 26 points, 5 assists, and 10 steals to lead Deer Park past Rocky Point... Seville Williams had 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in Amityville's win over Hills West... North Shore's Vasilis Triantafyllou had 10 points and 10 rebounds in their win over Wantagh... Jim Driscoll had 22 points and 14 rebounds and Ryan Connolly had 6 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in Floral Park's win over Locust Valley... Lorenzo Beaton had 12 points and 20 rebounds in Ward Melville's win over Newfield... Jordan Tucker had 18 points and 13 rebounds in Sewanhaka's win over Great Neck South... Cassius Moore led Elmont past East Meadow with 26 points... Trevor Amalfitano had 27 points in Port Washington's win over Westbury... Baldwin's Chase Timberlake had 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in their win over Uniondale... Cold Spring Harbor's Justin Ascencio scored 28 points in their win over Seaford. Andrew Tudda finished with 30 points for Seaford... Chad Wesley had 26 points, 5 assists, and 9 steals nine steals to lead Malverne past Plainedge... Jim Driscoll had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Ryan Connolly 11 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists in Floral Park's win over Island Trees... James Notias had 30 points in Manhasset's win over Long Beach... Cassius Moore had 29 points in Elmont's win over Garden City... Jordan Tucker had 24 points and 11 rebounds in Sewanhaka's win over Hewlett... Hank Williams had 25 points on 6 three-pointers in the PSAA Championship Game... Fabian Wheatley had 27 points in Knox's win over Portledge...
FARMINGDALE STATE SKYLINE CHAMPIONS
Its been a dream season for the Rams, currently 26-2 and headed for the NCAA Tournament. STORY 2/28
8 AND 11 SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
SECTION 11 PLAYOFFS/CLASS AAA
#2 Bay Shore 65 #3 William Floyd 59
SECTION 8 PLAYOFFS/CLASS AAA
#8 Baldwin 46 #4 Port Washington 26
SECTION 11 PLAYOFFS/CLASS AA
#7 Hills East 43 #5 Smithtown W 40
SECTION 8 PLAYOFFS/CLASS AA
#6 Elmont 51 #13 South Side 34
SECTION 11 PLAYOFFS/CLASS A
Southampton 60 Bayport - BP 46
SECTION 8 PLAYOFFS/CLASS A
#12 Friends Acad 55 North Shore 46
NSCHSAA SEMIFINALS
Chaminade 102 St. Mary's 82
STORY BOX SCORE
SJB 48 St. Anthony's 45
STORY BOX SCORE 3/3
THE LONG ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS AAA
Bay Shore 66 Baldwin 45
The Bruins rallied to make it a 1 point game at the half, but the Marauders dominated the second half.
CLASS AA
CLASS A
A Naevon Williams 3 point play put the Mariners on top, but Josh McKenzie scored the game winner for the Quakers
STORY BOX SCORE
CLASS B
West Hempstead 75 Pierson 54
FEBRUARY 2024
FARMINGDALE STATE IN NCAA TOURNAMENT
After winning their first round game 80-66 over Stevens Institute of Technology,
HIGHLIGHTS FROM AROUND THE STATE
Undefeated #4 seed Cordozo was upset by 12-12 Far Rockaway in a PSAL First Round game... #5 seed Mount Vernon won the Section 1 Class AAA Championship... #3 seed Green Tech beat undefeated #1 seed
Colonie 75-45 in the Section 2 Class AAA title game... Thomas Jefferson was disqualified from the PSAL Playoffs for the second straight year...
2/23 SECTION 11 PLAYOFFS
CLASS AAA FIRST ROUND
#2 Bay Shore 60 Ward Melville 40
#3 William Floyd 60 North Babylon 52
Northport 79 #9 Brentwood 68
Commack 53 Patchogue-Medford 51
2/17 SECTION 8 PLAYOFFS
CLASS AAA 1ST ROUND
Hempstead 53 #13 Farmingdale 51
#4 Port Washington 69 Westbury 60
#10 Baldwin 52 Uniondale 29
#11 Syosset 60 Massapequa 43
FLASHBACK (15 YEARS AGO)
Current Hills East Coach Mike Marcelin scored a fast break basket and added a free throw with 30 seconds remaining to give unbeaten Hill East a come from behind win over North Babylon.
LI BASKETBALL TRIVIA
From 1983 to 2001 - a 19 year span, Hempstead was Nassau County/Section 8 Champion 17 times...
NYSPHSAA
REGIONAL FINALS
CLASS B
Woodlands (Section 1) 73
West Hempstead 66 OT
CLASS C
Haldane (Section 1) 73
Southold 39
CLASS D
Smithtown Christian 64
South Kortwright (Section 1) 46
CHAMINADE CHSAA
STATE CHAMPIONS
#8 Chaminade 88
Bishop Timon 84 2OT
Kam Elliot knocked down a left baseline three pointer with 31 seconds left and two free throws with 11 seconds left to carry the Flyers to an exciting victory and the 2023-24 CHSAA State Championship. They are the first NSCHSAA State Champion since Holy Trinity in 2014 and the first Chaminade State Championship Team since 2003 and it was their third overall state title. STORY BOX SCORE
NYSPHSAA FINAL FOUR
CLASS D
North Warren 51 Smithtown Chr 46
CLASS AAA
Bay Shore 56 Niagara Falls 42
CLASS AA
Elmont 52 Jamestown 38
CLASS A
Wayne 61 Friends Academy 48
TOURNAMENT RECAP
Glens Falls, New York
ELMONT STATE CHAMPIONS!
After getting completely shut out last year, the Elmont Spartans won Long Island’s first New York Public School State Championship of the 2023-34 season, defeating perennial powerhouse West Genesee from the Syracuse area, the 2019 State Champions, 51-44 for the Class AA title. STORY The Spartans beat 21-4 Jamestown from the Buffalo area, a 2022 semifinalist, in their Final Four matchup, and their outstanding defense led the way in both games. STORY Elmont’s (and Team Long Island’s) Cassius Moore was named Tournament MVP, and Osagie Ekhator was selected for the All-Tournament Team.
GAME STATS GAME REPLAY
Long Island’s Class AAA Champion Bay Shore advanced to the Championship game with a 56-42 Final Four win over western New York powerhouse Niagara Falls, the 2005 State Champions, but Albany’s Green Tech unleashed a first-half three-point barrage that the Marauders never fully recovered from, falling 79-63. Bay Shore's (and team Long Island’s) Christian Smiley was named to the All-Tournament Team.
In Final Four matchups, our Class A Champion Friends Academy got knocked out by Wayne HS from the Rochester area 61-48. The Quakers had a 24-21 halftime lead, but a 6 point third quarter did them in. Friends Academy’s Jackson O’Brian was named to the All-Tournament Team.
DETAILS COMING SOON. Wayne ran into the Glens Falls High School juggernaut in the Championship Game, falling to the 27-0 host school 50-37 in front of a crowd of about 5,000 rabid fans.
In Class D action, the potent Smithtown Cristian attack went cold at the wrong time, going 16-61 from the field and 4-18 from three, but another big game from Isaiah McCarter, who finished with 22 points and 17 rebounds, kept them in it. They fell to North Warren from the Albany area 51-46 after leading by 1 after three quarters. McCarter was named to the All-Tournament Team.
THE 2023-24
BASKETBALL
LONG ISLAND'S BEST BASKETBALL PLAYERS
KENNY ATKINSON UPDATE
Long Island's Kenny Atkinson, who is an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, has been in the news lately:
LONG ISLAND'S
PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
CLASS AAA
VJ Edgecombe/LI Lutheran
CLASS AA
Cassius Moore/Elmont
CLASS A
Jaggar Bascombe/St. Mary's
CLASS B
Luke Seltzer/Pierson
CLASS C/D
Isaiah McCarter/Smithtown C.
O'CONNELL'S DREAM SEASON ENDS
The North Carolina State coaching staff thought Long Island’s Michael O’Connell was the last piece of the championship caliber team they had put together when they signed the Stanford point guard out of the transfer portal, and they were right, but his and their dream season ended when he pulled a hamstring 7 minutes into their Final Four game with the score 14-9 Purdue. The NC State offense struggled without him, scoring only 41 more points and Purdue pulled away for a 63-50 victory and a spot in the NCAA Championship Game. Without McConnell's buzzer beating three pointer in the ACC Tournament, the Wolfpack would not have made NCAA Tournament, and he was putting together a good NCAA Tournament too - his 11 rebounds and 6 assists in their Elite 8 win over Duke helped propel the Wolfpack into the Final Four. Congratulations to the former Team Long Island and Chaminade player! It was a lot of fun rooting for you and your team and an unforgettable season!
BASCOMBE NSCHSAA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Team Long Island's Jagger Bascombe, who plays for St. Mary's, has been named the NSCHSAA Player Of The Year!
STONY BROOK UPSETS HOFSTRA
After being swept during the regular season, the Seawolves knocked off #3 seed Hofstra to advance to the CAA Championship Game STORY
LONG ISLAND IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Brent Bland/Wheatley Heights/St. Peters
Ryan Dunn/Freeport/Virginia
Bryce Harris/Brentwood/Howard
Khalil London/Wyandanch/C. Charleston
TJ Long/Rockville Centre/Vermont
Michael O’Connell/Mineola/N.C. State
Tyson Walker/Westbury/Michigan State
Armoni Zeigler/Amityville/St. Peter's
Zakai Zeigler/Brentwood/Tennessee
ARE WE MISSING SOMEONE?
LONG ISLAND NCAA TOURNAMENT HIGHTLIGHTS
Michael O'Connell had 6 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists in NC State's Elite 8 win over Duke... Zakai Zeigler had 11 points and 10 assists in Tennessee's win over St. Peters, 6 points and 7 assists in their win over Texas... and 9 points and 8 assists in their loss to Purdue... Tyson Walker had 19 points in Michigan State's win over Mississippi State and 24 in their loss to North Carolina... Bryce Harris had 16 points and 6 rebounds in Howard's loss to Wagner...
D'ELOIA CALLS IT QUITS!
Whenever there's a discussion about Long Island's best high school basketball coaches, his name always comes up, but after 11 playoff appearances in 12 years, a 191-60 record, 2 County Championships and one Long Island Championship, we're sad to report that Andrew D'Eloia is stepping down as the varsity basketball coach at Northport High School. Like all of the best coaches, he is consumed by the job and wants a break so he can enjoy being a dad while his kids are still young. He did not rule out a return to coaching, but it will be sometime down the road. His message to his Northport basketball family: "I'll always bleed blue and gold"
Best wishes Coach! You will be missed!
FLASHBACK!
LI NETS ELIMINATED
A fourth quarter barrage of three pointers carried Maine past the Nets in the G-League Eastern Conference Final STORY
OUR CHAMPIONS
NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONS
Chaminade
CHSAA Class A
Elmont
NYSPHSAA Class AA
LONG ISLAND CHAMPIONS
Bay Shore
NYSPHSAA Class AAA
Chamiande
NSCHSAA
Elmont
NYSPHSAA Class AA
Friends Academy
NYSPHSA Class A
Long Island Lutheran
NYSAIS Class AAA
Stony Brool School
NYSAIS Class B
West Hempstead
NYSHPSAA Class B
FINAL STATE RANKINGS
LONG ISLAND TEAMS
CLASS AAA
1. Long Island Lutheran
8. Bay Shore
12. William Floyd
13. Baldwin
23. Port Washington
30. Syosset
CLASS AA
3. Chaminade
8. Elmont
12. Hills East
13. Smithtown West
CLASS A
5. Friends Academy
6. Southamptom
22. LWA
27. Bayport BP
CLASS B
4. West Hempstead
11. Pierson
CLASS C
None
CLASS D
4. Smithtown Christian
11. Bridgehampton
ALL NEW YORK STATE
FIRST TEAM
CLASS AAA
VJ Edgecombe
CLASS AA
Jagger Bascombe
Cassius Moore
CLASS D
Isaiah McCarter
LUHI KOCKED OUT OF NATIONAL EVENT
LONG ISLAND IN THE TRANSFER PORTAL
Jaylen Celestine/LuHi
Transferred from Cal to Baylor
Luke Cronin/Great Neck North
From George Washington to Yeshiva
Darnell Evans/Amityville
Transferred from Caldwell to Georgia St.
Zed Key/Bay Shore
Transferred from Ohio State to Toledo
Kacper Klaczek/LuHi
Transferred from St. Joseph to Albany
Savion Lewis/Hills East
Is returning to Quinnipiac
Khalil London/St. Dominic
Transferred from C of Charleston to Tennessee State
Jordan Riley/Brentwood
Transferred from Temple to East Carolina
D1 COLLEGIATE
ALL-LONG ISLAND TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Zakai Zeigler/Tennessee
SEC Defensive Player of the Year
2024 SPRING IS8 UPDATE
Team Long Island Eliminated
A shorthanded Team Long Island dropped their NIKE/IS8 Sweet 16 matchup to the eventual champions, a team they had beaten in pool play. Because Team Long Island is not an AAU program and encourages its players to honor their AAU, school, and family obligations first, its always tough to get all our best players on the floor at the same time, but the lack of openings on college rosters this season due to the extra years of eligibility given out to college players during the pandemic really made it tough, minimizing the number of committed players that normally make up a good portion of our spring roster.
Long Island Advances
Team Long Island advanced to its 14th straight IS8 Playoff behind 26 points from Elmont's Cassius Moore.
FREEPORT'S DUNN 28TH PICK IN NBA DRAFT
Freeport's Ryan Dunn, who played at LuHi and Virginia of the ACC, and was described by ESPN as the best defender in the draft, was selected in the first round by the Phoenix Suns. MORE He is the 11th Long Islander to be chosen in the first round, joining future NBA All-Stars Wally Szczerbiak, Tom Gugliotta, and Julius Erving. COMPLETE LIST
POST-GRAD PROGRAMS COME TO LONG ISLAND
Long Island now has four post-grad basketball programs to choose from, giving Long Islanders the option of staying home to complete their high school careers instead of playing at some far-off school away from family and friends. Former Division One basketball coach Jared Grasso has been hired to build a first-rate program at the Knox School in Suffolk County, Tiny Morton, a veteran coach that helped build the legendary Lincoln HS program in the PSAL, was hired to do the same at basketball private school powerhouse Lawerence Woodmere Acvadcemy, and another former college basketball coach, Tom Patterson, and coach Kaamil Dillard bring the 238 Academy program to Upper Roon in Dix Hills. They join Andre Edwards and his well-established Shots with Patience Prep program. The schools will compete against each other in the Empire 8 League, and play a national schedule outside of league play.
JARELL WHITE A PRO
Former Bellport star and All-New York State selection Jarell White, who played for Team Long Island, is playing pro ball in Costa Rica.
FARMINGDALE STATE TEAM CAMP RESULTS
Section 11's Half Hollow Hills East captured the Farmingdale State Team Camp Championship with a convincing 67-47 win over defending Section 8 Class AAA Champions Baldwin. They defeated defending New York State Class AA Champion Elmont 66-44 in the semifinals.
NCPAL SPRING LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Roslyn 84 Great Neck North 65
Zack Kuppersmith led the way with with 20 points, Keishaun White added 13, and Ben Pnini had 12 for Roslyn while Charlie Shapiro led GNN with 10 points.
LONG ISLAND
BASKETBALL HISTORY
Sometimes you hear people about the "Golden Age" of Long Island basketball. It was in the 1970s and 80s, and just to give you an idea, in 1980, there were four classifications: Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D, and of the eight teams playing in the championship games, five of them were from Long Island, and Long Island won championships in three of the four classes!
COLLEGE COMMITMENTS
The extra years of college eligibility given to college players during the COVID pandemic has made college roster spots for incoming freshmen hard to come by. Long Island normally produces 8-12 Division 1 players every year, but here are the only D1 recruits we know of so far:
Jagger Bascombe/Marist
Chike Ndefo/Towson
Dwayne Pierce/Iowa St.
Lance Piper/South Carolina
2024-25 RULES CHANGES
Every season, the national governing body of high school sports (NFHS) makes changes to the high school basketball rulebook. This season, the most significant seems to be more attention will be given to penalizing players for flopping, a trend at just about every level of basketball. MORE
TOBIAS SIGNS WITH PISTONS
Long Island's Tobias Harris, a 14 year NBA veteran that played for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, averaging 13.6 PPG, has returned to the Detroit Pistons. MORE
NIGEL JAMES TO MARQUETTE
Nigel James has not been on the radar of most Long Island basketball fans for very long, even though he is from Huntington because he spent his early high school years at a New England prep school before returning home to Long Island to play for Long Island Lutheran. The move back home seems to have paid off with his commitment to the legendary Big East basketball program! He's looking forward to a big senior season at LuHi!
SUMMER HOOPS FESTIVAL
The Basketball Coaches Association of New York's annual Summer Basketball Festival, which brings together All-Star Teams from all over New York State, was held this past weekend, and Long Island's Nassau and Suffolk County teams faced off agaist each other in Game 1, with Suffolk posting a 77-66 win. Suffolk went on to earn a spot in the Championship Game, falling to the Hudson Valley team in the final after an exciting 77-76 semifinal win over Central NY, capped off by Westhampton's Jodan Bennett, who put Suffolk ahead with a putback and then blocked the potential game winner on the other end! Kameron Quinn from North Babylon came up big for Suffolk in both playoff games, scoring 20 in the semifinal and 19 in the final. Nassau played tough, as they had against Suffolk, but went 1-3 the rest of the way.
TEAM LONG ISLAND ELIMINATED FROM IS8
In one of our most frustrating seasons ever, a talented Team Long Island did extend its steak of advancing out of pool play and into the championship round
to 15 straight years but was eliminated in the second round of the 2024 fall playoffs. TOURNAMENT COVERAGE
TEAM LONG ISLAND
ADVANCES TO FINAL
A new event took place in New York City this July that is destined to become one of the biggest events of the summer. The Jason Rivera - Wilbert Mora Basketball Classic, a charity event that honors two fallen NYPD heroes and raises college funds for the children of police officers killed in the line of duty, was played at different locations around the city and is already attracting attention and teams from all over the country. Team Long Island was honored to be invited to help represent Long Island this year, and although we don’t usually play during the summer and many of our players take the opportunity to represent Long Island at the annual BCANY Summer Hoops Festival this time of year, we couldn’t pass up the chance to help raise funds for such a good cause and show off the great depth of talent on Long Island.
KENNEDY PARK SUMMER LEAGUE
Perrenial powerhouse Baldwin rolled over Valley Stream Central 66-44 on a big game from Dylan Cudjoe, who had 13 rebounds ande 10 blocks. In the semifinals, Baldwin eliminated Garden City, while Valley Stream defeated
Hempstead.
NCPAL SUMMER LEAGUE
Jericho won the NCPAL Summer League Championship, defeating North Shore
WEST BABYLON SUMMER LEAGUE
Bay Shore, one of the preseason favorities in Section 11, beat Walt Whitman is the semis and North
Babylon in the final, but keep an eye on North Bab, who gave the Marauders everything they could handle before falling 50-48
BROOKHAVEN SUMMER LEAGUE
William Floyd, coming off a one loss
season, came roaring from behind to beat The Stony Brook School in the Large School Championship Game, while a consistently good Hauppauge
program pulled away from
Westhampton - another contender this season, for the Small School title.
NCPAL SUMMER LEAGUE
Jericho rolled past Plainview 74-55 to advance, while North Shore held off Long Beach 62-60.
ELMONT SUMMER LEAGUE
Two teams projected to be towards the top of the Preseason Sweet 16 - defending Catholic School State Champion
Chaminade and defending Section 11 Finalist Hills East - met in the championship game of the very competitive Elmont Summer League, and it was an excellent game, with the Flyers coming out on top 57-53. Chaminade advanced to the final with a 78-69 win over St. Dominic, while Hills East got past defending NYSPHSAA State Champion and host Elmont 32-27.
LONG ISLAND'S
NIKE EYBL AWARDS
The EYBL is a youth basketball league sponsored by NIKE, and they announced their 2024 awards for the 17U division, and Long Island is well represented. At the top of the list is Farmingdale’s Kayden Mingo, who was named All-EYBL First Team and EYBL Defensive Player of the Year, then Huntington’s Nigel James, who made the EYBL All-Defensive Team and added All-EYBL Honorable Mention honors, and Deer Park’s Preston Edmead, who finished the season rated one of the league’s standouts. Carmello Anthony’s son Kiyan, who is not from Long Island but plays for Long Island Lutheran, made 3rd Team All-EYBL Not surprisingly, two of the three Long Islanders, Mingo and Edmead, also played for Team Long Island at IS8!
Twenty one championship caliber high school basketball teams from four different states right here on Long Island! The matchups are:
SATURDAY
10:30 AM Smithtown East vs Wyandanch
12:00 St. Anthony’s vs Southampton
1:30 PM Wilton CT vs W. Hempstead
3:00 PM Mt Vernon vs St. Josephs NJ
4:30 PM Dewitt Clinton vs Hills East
6:00 PM Wings Academy vs Bay Shore
7:30 PM LWA vs Friends Academy
SUNDAY
12 PM Brooklyn L&T vs St. Anthony’s
1:30 PM Wilton, Ct vs St John The Baptist
3:00 PM Mount Vernon vs Hillhouse Ct
4:30 PM Bishop Hendricken, RI vs W Floyd
6:00 PM Friends Acad vs Southampton
7:30 PM Port Washington vs Smithtown W
Tickets are $10 each, and all-day passes $25
EDGECOMBE HIGH NBA PICK?
Looking ahead, LuHi's VJ Edgecombe, who is entering his freshman year at Baylor, is projected to be a possible top 5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and depending on where they pick, might end up with the Brooklyn Nets! PODCAST
LONG ISLAND NETS NEWS
The 2024-25 opening night roster of the Long Island Nets, the G-League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, included three players with Long Island roots. Calhoun's and Nassau Community College's Patrick Gardner is back from last season, and he is joined by Tyson Etienne and Frankie Policelli, who both played for LuHi.
REQUIRED COACHING COURSES ONLINE
ALZHEIMER'S
ALL-STAR GAME RESULTS
BOYS GAME
NASSAU 103 SUFFOLK 102
The boys matchup has a history of close, exciting games, and this year was no exception. Nassau registered a 1-point victory behind 20 points from Brandon Torres, 17 from Gabe Phillips, and 14 from Hank Williams. Dell Mance led Suffolk with 16 points, Carter Wilson added 15, and James Augustino had 13.
Phillips took home MVP honors.
GIRLS GAME
SUFFOLK 70 NASSAU 50
The girls game has also followed a pattern in recent years, with the winning team dominating, and this season, it was the Suffolk Girls.
Jasmin McKoy led all scorers in both games with 24 points, taking home MVP honors, while Laila Carr had 13 and Samantha Schneider had 11 for Nassau. . ROSTERS
HEWITT G LEAGUE COACH
Westbury's Paul Hewitt, the former Georgia Tech coach, is now the head coach of the G League's San Diego Clippers in the LA Clippers organization.
MINGO TO PENN STATE
Farmingdale's Kayden Mingo, one of the top recruits in the country, has committed to play at Penn State of the Big 10. The Long Island Lutheran star and Team Long Island alum had narrowed his list down to Penn State, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and Georgia before committing to the Nittany Lions. STORY
ATKINSON'S CAVS 14-0!
Northport's Kenny Atkinson, who starred at St. Anthony's in high school, then at Richmond in college, and had a long and successful career overseas as both a player and coach, is off to a great start as the new head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have opened the season with 14 straight wins, setting an NBA record for consecutive victories by a new coach to start a season. That includes a road win over the Knicks. " Everyone contributes,” Atkinson said. “It’s what good teams do. We’re in a good place physically. We’re in a good place mentally." EDITOR'S NOTE: Although the Celtics ended their streak, they are now an incredible 25-4, beat the Celtics in the rematch, and lead them by 2.5 games in the standings.
ZIEGLER ALL-SEC
Brentwood's Zaki Ziegler, who was a Team Long Island selection the year the tournament was cancelled due to the pandemic, stars at Tennessee of the SEC, and is a preseason choice for
All-SEC First Team!
-------- THE 2024-2025 SEASON --------
BBP'S MULLINS IS THE NEW NYSPHSAA PRESIDENT
Tim Mullins, the Athletic Director at Bayport-Blue Point High School in Section 11 , has been named President of the NYSPHSAA. STORY
NEW 2024-25 HS COACHES
Jamie Adams, Mepham
Sean Boylan, Northport
Dave Conlon, East Hampton
Chris DeMarzo, Lawrence
Pat Fabian, Riverhead
Mike Gattus, Bellmore JFK
Joe Gonzalez, Ross
Pete Meehan, Port Jefferson
James Messina, Island Trees
Tiny Morton, LWA
Drew Pohalski, St Pius
Gordon Thomas,The Knox School
Paul Venturi, Central Islip
NCAA GUIDE FOR COLLEGE BOUND STUDENT ATHLETES
SPINOSO TEAM CAPTAIN
Port Washington's Nick Spinoso, who played for Kellenberg and Team Long Island, is entering his senior season at the University of Pennsylvania and after leading the Quakers in rebounding, blocked shots, and assists last season, has been named team captain. MORE
DANNY GREEN RETIRES
North Babylon's Danny Green, a veteran of 15 NBA seasons and a 3 time NBA Champion, has announced his retirement from basketball. Green was the star of two outstanding teams during the Tim Cleuss era at St. Mary's HS on Long Island, leading the Gaels to a 47-3 record over his junior and senior seasons and to back to back Long Island Catholic League titles. He was named Long Island Player of the Year and First Team All-New York State his senior season, and went on to play at North Carolina, where he was a key player on their 2009 NCAA Championship team. He was drafted 46th by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA draft but had to fight his way onto NBA rosters in his early years before evolving into one of the best defenders and three-point shooters of his era - an NBA All-Defensive team selection that knocked down 40% of his three-pointers over his NBA career. He played a major role on championship teams with the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers, one of only 4 players in NBA history to play on three different championship teams. Thank you, Danny! You have represented Long Island with great distinction at the highest levels of our sport and we'll never forget those clutch three-pointers and chase down blocks! Best of luck!
BECOME AN OFFICIAL!
There is a shortage of basketball officials! It's a great way to get back on the court and get involved! MORE
PRO PLAYER UPDATES
Freeports Ryan Dunn, who was a first round NBA draft pick this year, has started 3 games for the Phoenix Suns....
Westbury's Tyson Walker had 35 points in only his second game as a pro, playing for the Texas Legends, the G-League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks.
COLLEGE SIGNINGS
LuHi's Kiyan Anthony followed in his father's footsteps, committing to play for the Syracuse Orange of the ACC. He is the 3rd Crusader on the 2024-25 team to commit to a high major program. His dad Carmelo Anthony led Syracuse to an NCAA Championship and was a 10-time NBA All-Star,
NEW LEAGUE ALLIGNMENTS
Just about every year, the leagues on Long Island get reconfigured.
THE 2024-25 BASKETBALL SEASON IS UNDERWAY!
There have been scattered games here and there involving Long Island teams as far back as November 8th, when the Upper Room High School Team defeated Victory Prep 71-53, but things will pick up today, November 30th, with 14 games and things will really get going December 3rd, when 28 games are scheduled:
Some top early matchups:
12/2
Floral Park @ Port Washington
Rocky Point @ Southampton
Knox @ Holy Trinity
12/3
Holy Trinity @ Roslyn
Deer Park @ North Babylon
William Floyd @ Bellport
NOVEMBER PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
Lucas Schimsky scored 21 points in North Shore's win over Calhoun....John Osorno had 19-points and 11 rebounds to lead Hicksville over Bellmore....
Omarion Holder's 20 points carried Valley Stream North over Island Trees. Iben Angud's 22 points led Island Trees.... Casmere Morrow had 33 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals and Jeremy Sanchez 10 points and 14 rebounds in Rocky Point's win over Huntington.... Lorcan Bailey Morrow scored 20 points in Portledge's loss to St. John's Prep.... SJB's Chris Williams had 24 points,5 rebounds and 5 assists in a loss to Stony Brook....
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
Baldwin's Chase Timberlake had back to back 38 point games...
Carle Place's Ryan Leary had back to back games of 35 and 39 points and a 33 point game earlier in the season...
BELOVED COACH KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT
We lost William Floyd Assistant Coach Darrell Sumpter, a fixture in the basketball community for most of his 51 years, in a tragic automobile accident. In addition to his duties as an assistant coach with the varsity team, he coached local youth teams and that's how I got to know him. You'll never find someone more devoted to his players, his community, or his school. A real good good guy too - the kind of person that leaves you smiling. A big loss. Sadly, he leaves a wife and five children. STORY STORY
LUHI NATIONAL DROPS FOUR OUT OF FIVE
In a very uncharacteristic start, the Crusaders, who play many of their games on the road, hit a rough patch and are now 4-5 on the season.
Long Islands best team, with four Long Islanders playing key roles, did lose some key pieces from last year's team, most notably VJ Edgecombe, who is a freshman at Baylor this season and being discussed as a possible high NBA draft pick next year, but this year's team is very talented too, and once they become more accustomed to playing together, will make their mark.
HOT STARTS
These teems are all undefeated in the early going. (Through 12/22)
BAY SHORE 5-0
GARDEN CITY 5-0
GREAT NECK SOUTH 5-0
HILLS EAST 5-0
HILLS WEST 6-0
PORT WASHINGTON 7-0
SMITHTOWN WEST 5-0
WYANDANCH 6-0
SOUTHAMPTON 7-0
GOOD INTERVIEW WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NYSPHSAA
Worth listening to! STORY
FARMINGDALE BY TWO IN KEY EARLY SEASON MATCHUP
With Baldwin in AA this season, two of the teams that believe they have a legitimate shot at the AAA title faced off. STORY
BRENTWOOD OPENS THE SEASON 1-4
We're all trying to remember the last time Brentwood started a season 1-4. Why is one of Long Island's all-time greatest basketball programs, a program that has had the same head coach for many years and challenges for championships just about every season, off to such a slow start? I know two former Brentwood players that are considered among the best at their positions and are at other schools this season, and there is no doubt in my mind that if they had stayed home, this team would be as good as any Brentwood team and once again one of the favorites to win a title. With a good coaching staff and a school district that produces a steady stream of talent, they'll be fine. You can be sure they'll be a team that nobody wants to play come playoff time.
BREAKOUT PLAYERS
Every year, star players graduate and new stars emerge. Here are some players that are on Team Long Island and we think are headed for breakout seasons.
Dev Anne/Jericho
Skyler Ellis/Hills East
Corey Faines/Bay Shore
Jason Mascia/John Glenn
Kameron Quinn/North Babylon
Kingsley Rogers/Bay Shore
John Roggendorf/GN South
BIG GAMES OVER
THE BREAK
FRIDAY 12/27/2024
10 AM Farmingdale vs N. Babylon
@ Hills West
2 PM Smithtown East @ Bellport
4 PM VS Central @ South Side
6 PM St. Dominic vs Elmont
@ Massapequa Fieldhouse
SATURDAY 12/28/23
@ St. Dominic
Baldwin Tournament Championship
@ Massapequa Fieldhouse
SUNDAY 12/28/23
