Season preview: Longwood (4-8) goes from longshot to darkhorse contender with two three-year starters, 6-9 junior Ben Grodski and 6-2 senior Curtis Dunn, and 5-5 point guard C.C. Simpson 

December 8, 1985

2. Longwood. “They’re awesome. They’re the darkhorse in Brookhaven,” said Patchogue-Medford coach John Baumiller, whose team lost to the Lions, 68-50, last Friday.

The most prominent member of the squad is 6-9 junior Ben Grodski, who had 14 points in the victory. Opponents can’t help but notice him because of his size and they will quickly recognize his skill.”He’s a player,” Baumiller said.

But opposing coaches feel that the best player on the squad is Curtis Dunn, a 6-2 senior and accurate shooter who will score frequently if defenders attempt to sag toward the middle to guard Grodski. He led Longwood with 17 points against Patchogue-Medford.

It could be coach Bob O’Neill’s most talented team in the past seven or eight years. Longwood appears capable of improving on last year’s 4-8 record in League II.

“Barring a major injury, this could be the surprise team,” said Bellport coach Jim McGowan.

Patchogue-Medford 11 13 7 19 50 Longwood 8 25 18 17 68 Patchogue-Medford: Potter 10-10-30, Codispoti 0-1-1, Riley 1-0-1, Alvarez 3-1-7, Kramer 3-1-7, Martinez 1-0-2. Totals: 18-14-50. Longwood: Grodski 6-2-14, Carrier 4-2-8, Gibbs 1-2-4, Simpson 1-0-2, Dunn 8-1-17, Scott 0-1-1, Sanford 0-4-4, Zarzana 2-2-6, Parrish 6-0-12. Totals: 28-12-68. Dec. 14

Pat Med vs Longwood – Photos taken by Joseph Sullivan

Longwood 15 18 12 19 64 Center Moriches 14 10 4 15 43 Longwood: Simpson 2-6-10, Parrish 2-0-4, Gibbs 1-1-3, Carrier 3-3-9, Grodski 7-1-15, Zarzana 0-3-3, Dunn 9-2-20. Totals: 24-16-64. Center Moriches: Rowland 7-0-14, Harris 3-0-6, D. Cousins 1-0-2, Pettaway 1-0-2, Wicks 1-1-3, Plummer 3-3-9, Quinn 1-0-2, T. Cousins 1-3-5. Totals: 18-7-43. Dec. 18

Longwood, Sachem in Final: [SUFFOLK Edition]

Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 21 Dec 1985:

Longwood‘s Curtis Dunn shot 12-for-16 from the field and scored29 points last night in a 58-54 boys basketball victory overComsewogue in the first round of the South Brookhaven Tournament. Ben Grodski added 14 rebounds for Longwood, which meets host Sachem in today’s 8 p.m. championship game. Sachem held Bellport scoreless for 5 1/2 minutes of the second quarter en route to a 54-33 win.

Tournament MVP Gerry Corrigan hit a pair of free throws with less than a minute to play, boosting Sachem to a 52-48 triumph over Longwood in the final of the South Brookhaven Tournament. Tristan Prawl came off the bench to score 21 points, seven in the final period, as coach Steve Rich recorded his 100th career victory . –Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 22 Dec 1985

Sachem vs Longwood

Playing the Game: What If . . .: [SUFFOLK Edition]

By Mark Herrmann. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 19 Dec 1985

Suppose that all of Brookhaven’s boys high school basketballteams were in the same league. The large schools – such as Sachemand Ward Melville would compete against medium-size schools – Miller Place and Port Jefferson – and much smaller opponents – Center Moriches and Eastport.

How would the standings in that league turn out?

That’s the question posed to several coaches who have observed most of the teams during previous seasons, instructional camps and summer leagues. Their responses have helped comprise a theoretical Brookhaven Top Ten listing.

Most coaches agree that no one is dominant. In fact, Eastport coach Rich Wrase, who worked at several high school basketball camps and saw local players last summer, said that six or seven teams could be considered the best in town.

Many of Brookhaven’s coaches are respected throughout the county, and in some cases, throughout the state. So, even some teams with marginally talented rosters may finish with winning records.

At any rate, just for the sake of argument – and any sort of rating system usually provokes one – Newsday’s early season ranking of boys basketball teams follows:

1. Comsewogue. The Warriors seem to be strong at every position, but their most formidable asset may be their coach. Frank Romeo was described by one peer as “the best in Suffolk County.”

Romeo coached the Long Island boys to their first triumph over New York City in last year’s Newsday Classic. He is particularly effective in teaching defense and controlling the pace of a game.

Comsewogue (10-2 in League IV last year) is paced by 6-foot-4 all-county forward Steve Hayn. He scored the winning basket with 20 seconds left in the Warriors’ season-opening 45-44 win over Ward Melville last Friday. Comsewogue had trailed 42-37 with 3 minutes, 20 seconds left, but Hayn scored seven points in the winners’ 8-2 run. Other veteran players are 6-5 Willie Fritz and 6-3 Robbie Robbins.

2. Longwood. “They’re awesome. They’re the darkhorse in Brookhaven,” said Patchogue-Medford coach John Baumiller, whose team lost to the Lions, 68-50, last Friday.

The most prominent member of the squad is 6-9 junior Ben Grodski, who had 14 points in the victory. Opponents can’t help but notice him because of his size and they will quickly recognize his skill.”He’s a player,” Baumiller said.

But opposing coaches feel that the best player on the squad is Curtis Dunn, a 6-2 senior and accurate shooter who will score frequently if defenders attempt to sag toward the middle to guard Grodski. He led Longwood with 17 points against Patchogue-Medford.

It could be coach Bob O’Neill’s most talented team in the past seven or eight years. Longwood appears capable of improving on last year’s 4-8 record in League II.

“Barring a major injury, this could be the surprise team,” said Bellport coach Jim McGowan.

Curtis Dunn shot 19-for-24 from the field and scored 22 points in each half for Longwood in an 88-64 victory over Half Hollow Hills East. Dunn scored Longwood‘s next seven baskets after Hills East pulled within 47-43 in the third quarter – December 21, 1985

Longwood’s Curtis Dunn shot 12-for-16 from the field and scored29 points last night in a 58-54 boys basketball victory overComsewogue in the first round of the South Brookhaven Tournament. Ben Grodski added 14 rebounds for Longwood, which meets host Sachem in today’s 8 p.m. championship game. Sachem held Bellport scoreless for 5 1/2 minutes of the second quarter en route to a 54-33 win.

Longwood 14 10 13 11 48 Sachem 10 17 10 15 52 Longwood: Grodski 5-0-10, Carrier 5-3-13, Dunn 7-0-14, Parrish 1-0-2, Zarzana 1-1-3, Simpson 3-0-6. Totals: 22-4-48. Sachem: Bauer 2-1-5, Dana 3-1-7, Mann 1-0-2, Corrigan 3-5-11, Venturi 2-2-6, Prawl 9-3-21. Totals: 20-12-52. Dec. 22

In Suffolk, Curtis Dunn scored 20 second-half points for Longwood in a 58-44 win over Patchogue-Medford –Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 24 Dec 1985

Copiague 12 27 12 8 59 Longwood 20 21 20 16 77 Copiague: Bond 2-0-4, Spencer 3-1-7, Sawyer 4-0-8, Burton 2-2-6, McDougal 1-1-3, Monroe 5-0-10, Flaherty 1-5-7, Lambert 6-2-14. Totals: 24-11-59. Longwood: Grodski 7-7-21, Carrier 4-3-11, Dunn 8-4-20, Zarzana 3-0-6, Simpson 2-1-5, Parrish 6-0-12, Gibbs 1-0-2. Totals: 31-15-77.  Dec. 28

Curtis Dunn shot 19-for-24 from the field and scored 22 points in each half for Longwood in an 88-64 victory over Half Hollow Hills East. Dunn scored Longwood’s next seven baskets after Hills East pulled within 47-43 in the third quarter – Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 11 Jan 1986:

Curtis Dunn scored 39 points, keying Longwood‘s 84-75 win over Brentwood-11 Jan 1986

Harry Beresford had 14 second-half points in Smithtown East’s 66-55 victory over Longwood . Longwood 17 15 12 11 55 Smithtown East 11 14 20 21 66 Longwood: Grodski 7-2-16, Carrier 4-1-9, Dunn 7-1-15, Zarzana 2-1-5, Simpson 3-0-6, Gibbs 1-1-3, Lloyd 0-1-1. Totals: 24-7-55. Smithtown East: Remhild 4-6-14, Black 5-2-12, Beresford 9-2-20, Peck 3-5-11, Ferrare 1-2-4, Becker 2-1-5. Totals: 24-18-66. Jan. 18

Full-Court Impressive: [SUFFOLK Edition]

By Mark Herrmann. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 23 Jan 1986

Longwood has a losing season in boys basketball about as often as frequently as it changes coaches. Coach Bob O’Neill, it should be noted, has kept his job for 23 years.

Of course, O’Neill occasionally thinks about giving up his seat at the end of the bench. “Every year, I quit. Then I reconsider,” said the coach, who has often engaged in animated repartee with officials, players and peers. “I’ve quit five times in the last five years.”

Similarly, the Lions have occasional dry spells – such as a 7-11 overall record two years ago and a 4-8 mark in league games last season – but those lapses are only temporary.

Now O’Neill’s Lions are enjoying a revival. Sparked by prolific forward Curtis Dunn, imposing 6-foot-9 center Ben Grodski and a group of players with complementary skills, Longwood is 8-2 overall and 3-1 in League II.

“We were a very young team and we had to live with that for a couple of years,” O’Neill said. “We figured it was time for us to win the close ones.”

When a game becomes close, the ball goes to Dunn, a 6-foot 2 1/2-inch, 157-pound senior. He appears almost frail, with arms and legs that seem no thicker than the legs on the scorer’s table. No matter.

“He’s got a 43-inch reach,” Grodski said. “I can’t block his shot in practice.” Opponents can’t either. Dunn, who averages 24.6 points, scored 44 and 39 in respective victories over Half Hollow Hills East and Brentwood.

Dunn learned his moves as a youngster in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn. His family moved to Medford about six years ago because his mother thought Bushwick was becoming too rough.

His basketball finesse wasn’t immediately appreciated. “They didn’t let me play,” Dunn said. “I had to practice by myself to get better.”

Now, teammate and close friend Jeff Carrier says: “There’s not a player who can stop him.”

Hills East coach Brian Carey asserted: “He’s the best player we’ve seen. He just enjoys himself. Every game is a party for him.”

Here’s what Dunn accomplished late in last week’s victory over Brentwood: he sank a 20-foot jumper, blocked an opponent’s shot, converted two free throws, deflected a pass, and head-faked, drove to the baseline and made a field goal that gave Longwood a 72-61 lead.

Because Dunn’s teammates are capable of scoring, opponents can’t surround him and neglect the other Lions. Grodski, Carrier and Sal Zarzana are particularly effective near the basket.

And offense isn’t even Longwood‘s forte. “We have three-hour practices where we play nothing but defense,” Carrier said.

When a player fails to apply himself on defense, O’Neill yanks him by the arm and forcefully discusses the error. O’Neill also has spoken sharply to officials and coaches. “I’d rather not talk about Longwood,” one coach said.

But East End officials supported O’Neill’s claim that he hasn’t been assessed a technical foul in three years. They said he’s not the referee-baiter he once was.

Dunn, a student in O’Neill’s history and psychology courses, finds the teacher/coach equally entertaining whether he’s talking about the Renaissance or rebounds. The senior recalls O’Neill’s assertion on the first day of psychology class; it was a lesson that could have been repeated on the first day of practice. “He said there’s no such thing as luck. Either you can do something or you can’t.”

League II Whitman 21 21 18 25 85 Long. 19 9 10 22 60 Whitman: Calichman 1-2-4, Snell 3-1-7, Clemons 5-4-14, Odom 10-2-22, Felder 9-1-19, Taylor 1-0-2, Gugliotta 3-0-6, Simmons 1-2-4, Jordan 1-1-3, Chisholm 1-2-4. Totals: 35-15-85. Longwood: Grodski 4-3-11, Carrier 2-0-4, Dunn 7-3-17, Zarzana 2-1-5, C. Simpson 3-2-8, Parrish 2-0-4, Gibbs 2-0-4, Lloyd 2-3-7. Totals: 24-12-60.  Jan 23, 1986

Longwood at Half Hollow Hills East – A pivotal game in the League II race as the Lions hope to reverse an earlier 33-30 loss to Hills East. 4 p.m. – Jan 24, 1986

North Babylon 20 19 24 18 81 Longwood 6 22 19 19 66 North Babylon: Brown 11-7-29, Jones 1-0-2, Howard 3-3-9, Martin 4-2-10, Colfield 7-0-14, Greene 1-1-3, Whethers 3-0-6, Scott 1-0-2, Branch 2-0-4, Oliver 0-2-2. Totals: 33-15-81. Longwood: Grodski 7-3-17, Carrier 3-2-8, Dunn 12-6-30, Zarzana 2-1-5, Parrish 0-2-2, Simpson 0-1-1, Lloyd 0-2-2, Sanford 0-1-1. Totals: 24-18-66. Jan. 26

Elsewhere in League II: Curtis Dunn scored 21 first-half points as Longwood snapped a three-game losing streak with an 83-59 victory over Floyd. Longwood’s Jeff Carrier added 14 rebounds – Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 29 Jan 1986:

GAMES TO WATCH: [SUFFOLK Edition]

Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 30 Jan 1986: 

Longwood at Half Hollow Hills East – A pivotal game in the League II race as the Lions hope to reverse an earlier 33-30 loss to Hills East. 4 p.m.

Longwood in a 75-54 win over Half Hollow Hills East. Curtis Dunn added 10 of his game-high 32 points in the first quarter. League II – Longwood 19 19 24 13 75 Half Hollow Hills East: Toppin 1-2-4, Archibald 8-10-26, Walters 5-3-13, Guariglia 1-2-4, Herman 2-0-4, Sawyers 0-1-1, Lomangino 1-0-2. Totals: 18-18-54. Longwood: Grodski 10-1-21, Carrier 4-7-15, Dunn 14-4-32, Zarzana 0-1-1, Simpson 2-0-4, Gibbs 1-0-2. Totals: 31-13-75. – January 30, 1986

Ben Grodsky scored 21 points in the second half for Longwood in a 65-62 victory over Brentwood. Grodsky (25) and teammate Curtis Dunn (23) combined for 48 points. Longwood 7 20 17 21 65 Brentwood 14 15 19 14 62 Longwood: Grodsky 10-5-25, Corrier 2-0-4, Dunn 10-3-23, Parish 2-0-4, Simpson 2-2-6, Lloyd 1-1-3. Totals: 27-11-65. Brentwood: Smith 6-0-12, Torres 1-0-2, Exum 3-0-6, Anderson 4-2-10, Everson 7-6-20, Sekak 3-0-6, Monahan 2-0-4, Bayne 1-0-2. Totals: 27-8-62. – Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 05 Feb 1986

Smithtown East 15 14 15 6 50 Longwood 18 27 17 20 82 Smithtown East: Remhild 5-0-10, Black 2-5-9, Beresford 5-1-11, Peck 2-0-4, Ferrare 5-1-11, Kramer 2-0-4, Olvany 0-1-1. Totals: 21-8-50. Longwood: Grodski 7-2-16, Carrier 4-6-14, Dunn 15-2-32, Zarzana 1-0-2, C. Simpson 3-5-11, Lloyd 3-0-6, S. Simpson 0-1-1. Totals: 33-16-82. Feb. 7

 Longwood 10 20 26 17 73 Whitman 13 20 12 23 68 Longwood: Grodski 11-0-22, Carrier 4-6-14, Dunn 5-1-11, Zarzana 1-8-10, C. Simpson 3-5-11, Lloyd 1-3-5. Totals: 25-23-73. Whitman: Snell 5-2-12, Clemons 5-2-12, Odom 10-7-27, Felder 5-1-11, Gugliotta 1-0-2, Epler 0-1-1, Chisholm 0-3-3. Totals: 26-16-68. Feb. 13

Curtis Dunn scored 10 points in the second period as Longwood took a four-point halftime lead and defeated Comsewogue, 56-50 Comsewogue 10 12 11 17 50 Longwood 9 17 12 18 56 Comsewogue: Bereck 3-0-6, Robbins 4-3-11, Walsh 3-0-6, Fritz 1-1-3, Hayn 5-11-21, Bruno 1-1-3. Totals: 17-16-50. Longwood: Grodski 7-4-18, Carrier 3-5-11, Dunn 8-2-18, Parrish 1-0-2, Simpson 1-2-4, Lloyd 1-1-3. Totals: 21-14-56. – Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 21 Feb 1986:

High School Notebook; Basketball Playoffs Yawning to a Close: [SUFFOLK Edition]

Herrmann, Mark. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 27 Feb 1986:

So much for unpredictable results and stunning finishes. In almost every boys and girls high school basketball playoff game last week, the home team – and the higher seed – was the winner.

In the boys tournament, 16 of the 18 home teams advanced. Similarly, eight of 10 girls games were won by the home side. And few of the scores were close.

“I don’t know if playing at home means a lot in some places, but it means a lot at Longwood,” said Comsewogue boys coach Frank Romeo, whose team lost its first-round game to the host Lions last Thursday, 56-50.

Longwood broke away with a 6-0 streak midway through the third quarter. Curtis Dunn, Suffolk’s second-highest scorer, sank two jump shots, and 6-9 Ben Grodski converted an offensive rebound as their team rallied from a 31-30 deficit.

Romeo had thought that Comsewogue’s share of the League IV title would earn the team a home playoff game. But he was told that the Warriors’ 2-4 non-league record brought an unfavorable seeding.

Comsewogue had relished a chance to play top-seeded North Babylon in the second round because the two teams never have met. Instead, the chance went to Longwood, which had lost twice to North Babylon during the League II season, and fell again, 83-73, Saturday.

Affected by North Babylon’s press, Longwood trailed by 18 in the first half. In the second half, when they applied some of their own defensive pressure and Dunn scored 27 of his 31 points, they cut the deficit to seven. But ran out of time.

“I’d have to say they have a better team than we do, in terms of personnel,” Longwood coach Bob O’Neill said.