Girls basketball preview – Jan. 4
Longwood (11-7) could be a Class AA surprise, led by 5-8 sophomore wing La’Tasia Lee, who scored 19 and 18 points in her first two games this season. Longwood should also get help from senior forward Rita Johnson, a transfer from Elmont. North Babylon (10-9), with Tiphanie Certain and Chanel Chisolm, already have quality victories over Commack and Connetquot. Floyd (8-10), with 6- 5 Melissa D’Amico – who signed with Notre Dame – is capable of beating anyone on a given night. The same holds for Newfield (11- 8), which has 5-10 senior Stephanie Ryan, who averaged 24 points last season and signed at Fairfield.
Girls – Patchogue-Medford 6,027, East Islip 5,629, Islip 5,132, Sachem 4,921, Longwood 4,897. Feb. 12
| Longwood 1271415-48 |
| Newfield 10886-32 |
L: Holmes 1-0-2, C. Lee 1-7-9, L. Lee 8-1-18, Johnson 3-1-8, Jenkins 4-1-9, Ducz 1-0-2. Totals: 18-10-48. N: Gucel 1-3-5, Dahe 1- 0-2, Ryan 7-7-23, Henry 1-0-2. Totals: 10-10-32. Three pointers: 2 (L. Lee, Johnson) N: 2 (Ryan 2). Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 14 Dec 2003
Longwood 71, Copiague 49: La’tasia Lee had 19 points and 13 rebounds for Longwood. L: Holmes 2-2-6, C. Lee 1-6-8, L. Lee 8-2-19, Johnson 2-1-5, Oleksiej 2-0-4, Jenkins 1-2-4, Ducz 2-1-5, Garrahan 2-2-6, Mannino 1- 0-2, Marsala 4-0-12. Totals: 25-16-71. C: Walker 4-4-12, Miller 3-1- 8, Gibson 2-0-4, Smith 1-0-2, Timberlake 1-2-4, Ferriso 2-3-7, Doughty 0-1-1, Brostowski 1-0-2, Bettis 4-1-9. Totals: 18-12-49. Three-pointers: L 5 (Marsala 4, L. Lee); C 1 (Miller). Dec. 16
Longwood 48, Kings Park 35: Ritta Johnson had 12 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals for Longwood.. L: Holmes 1-0-2, C. Lee 1-3-5, L. Lee 3-2-10, Johnson 5-2-12, Oleksiej 2-4-8, Jenkins 2-1-6, Ducz 1-0-2, Marsala 1-0-3. Totals: 16- 12-48. KP: C. Cascio 1-0-3, O’Leary 2-0-5, Picciano 1-0-2, Woods 2- 0-4, Ja. DiChiara 1-6-8, Je. DiChiara 3-3-10, Buckley 1-0-2, M. Cascio 0-1-1. Totals: 11-10-35. Three-pointers: L 4 (L. Lee 2, Jenkins, Marsala); KP 3 (C. Cascio, O’Leary, Je. DiChiara). Dec. 21
| Longwood 15151119- 60 |
| Amityville 818810- 44 |
L: Holmes 2-7-11, C. Lee 1-2-4, L. Lee 5-5-16, Johnson 1-2-4, Oleksiej 6-3-15, Jenkins 2-2-6, Ducz 1-2-4. Totals: 18-23-60. A: Delaney 1-4-6, Hayes 7-1-15, James 3-3-9, Tolliver 2-1-5, Seymour 2- 3-7, Kretz 1-0-2. Totals: 16-12-44. Three-pointers: L 1 (L.Lee). Dec. 30
Longwood 48, Patchogue-Medford 44: Samantha Ducz hit two free throws with five seconds left to give PM a 48-41 lead. Lauren Reagan added 26 points, 10 steals and 8 rebounds. L: Holmes 3-4-10, L. Lee 4-3-13, Johnson 1-1-3, Oleksiej 2-0-4, Jenkins 4-2-11, Ducz 2-3-7. Totals: 16-13-48. PM: Cioffi 0-2-2, McMahon 2-1-5, Reagan 10-5-26, Curtin 1-2-4, Mandresh 3-0-7. Totals: 16-10-44. Three-pointers: L 3 (L. Lee 2, Jenkins); PM 2 (Reagan, Mandresh). Jan. 4
| Lindenhurst 41347-28 |
| Longwood 1081124-53 |
Ritta Johnson had 13 points and 15 rebounds for Longwood (2-1 Suffolk League I). Cara Stabile’s 16 points led Lindenhurst (0-2).
Li: Vogt 1-0-2, Scalice 2-2-8, Vestuto 1-0-2, Stabile 7-2-16. Totals: 11-4-28. Lo: Holmes 1-3-5, L. Lee 4-0-8, Johnson 5-3-13, Oleksiej 3-5-11, Jenkins 2-2-7, Ducx 1-1-3, Garrahan 2-0-4, Mannino 1-0-2. Totals: 19-14-53. Three-pointers: Li 2 (Scalice); Lo1 (Jenkins). Jan. 10
Jenkins’ Hot Hand Keys Longwood’s Victory: [SUFFOLK Edition]
Christopher Hunt. STAFF WRITER.
Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 17 Jan 2004:
When Danielle Jenkins pulled up for a three-pointer from the top of the key with 1:24 left in the third quarter Friday night, she nailed it, and she was officially on fire.
After failing to score in the first quarter, the 5-7 Longwood guard came off the bench to score a game-high 22 points, with 6 rebounds and 4 steals as Longwoodbeat Brentwood, 53-35, in a Suffolk League I game.
The game held special meaning for Jenkins, who celebrated her 15th birthday Friday. “It’s a pretty good birthday present to herself,” coach Mark Gordon said.
Jenkins started her scoring tear with eight points in the last three minutes of the second quarter. Finishing the half with a jumper from the left corner with six seconds left to give Longwood (9-1, 4-1) a 21-16 halftime lead.
Gordon seemed relieved to see the end of a hectic week. Longwood‘s game at Smithtown was postponed Tuesday because of a bomb threat. The game was played Wednesday and Longwood overcame a 17- point deficit to beat the League I title contender, 54-47. Practice was canceled Thursday because of the snowstorm. Friday the excitement belonged to Jenkins.
“She hit every shot she threw up,” said coach Ernie Villatore of Brentwood (4-6, 2-3). “We didn’t do a good job defending her.”
Jenkins could have single-handedly raised the temperature outside Friday. She scored nine of the Lions’ 19 third-quarter points. “It’s something she can do every game,” Gordon said, staring at Jenkins by the bench after the game. “She just has to realize that.”
Longwood‘s Ritta Johnson added 8 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. Sharelle Holmes had eight assists.
Jenkins admitted that she sometimes lacked effort early in the season. “I didn’t really like going to practice,” the sophomore said. “If I was in a bad mood I really wouldn’t try hard at practice. But I wanted to change that. I want to have a big game every game.”
The postgame birthday party will be held off until Saturday. Most likely it’ll be cosmic bowling or laser tag. But the celebration had already begun during the game. A blue birthday balloon hovered behind the bench attached to presents from teammates.
Jenkins didn’t do a thorough search until after the game. A pair of team-colored green slippers with ‘Lions’ stitched onto the front impressed her almost as she ruffled through a couple DVDs and a pair of pajamas, the game already a side note.
“These are cute,” she said.
| Longwood 129111113-56 |
| Ward Melville 9716115-48 |
L: Holmes 2-4-8, C. Lee 1-4-7, L. Lee 5-0-10, Johnson 2-0-4, Oleksiej 2-3-7, Jenkins 5-5-15, Ducz 2-1-5. Totals: 19-17-56. WM: C. Wang 3-1-8, McPherson 1-1-3, Atai 1-3-5, Casey 3-2-8, Giordano 4-2- 12, J. Wang 2-5-9, Sells 1-1-3. Totals: 15-15-48. Three-pointers: L 1 (C. Lee); WM 3 (Giordano 2, C. Wang). Jan. 21
Patchogue-Medford 53, Longwood 49: Beth Mandresh hit two free throws with 27 seconds left to break a tie at 49 for PM (3-4). Miranda Lustig stole the ball on the ensuing possession and made a free throw. Latesha Lee’s 21 points led Longwood (5-2). Jan. 24
| Sachem 15221416-67 |
| Longwood 8141014-46 |
S: Rakita 6-2-14, Merrihue 6-5-18, K. Maccarone 5-1-14, Caskin 4- 2-10, Gandley 2-0-5, Caggiano 1-0-2, Balzarini 1-0-2, J. Maccarone 0- 2-2. Totals: 25-12-67. L: L. Lee 3-0-7, Oleksiej 2-2-6, C. Lee 1-4- 6, Johnson 7-0-14, Jenkins 4-0-8, Holmes 1-3-5. Totals: 18-9-46. Three-pointers: S 5 (K. Maccarone 3, Merrihue, Gandley); L 1 (L. Lee). Jan. 27c
Sachem Makes Statement: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition]
Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 27 Jan 2004:
Girls can be so cruel.
There was Jessica Merrihue staggering to the Sachem sideline late in the second quarter last night, having just been beaned by a hard throw as Longwood tried to pass out of a double-team at midcourt. The basketball ricocheted off the 6-2 forward’s head and made a slow- pitch softball-like arc some 10 feet out of bounds. She won no sympathy from her teammates upon reaching the bench.
“They were like, ‘You must have a really hard head,'” Merrihue said. “But we poke fun at each other for anything. Team bonding is one of our strongest assets.”
Team bonding may be an asset but talent is paramount, and Sachem displayed plenty of it in a 67-46 Suffolk League I girls basketball victory at Longwood. Merrihue led all scorers with 18 points, 13 in the second half.
Sachem improved to 7-0 in league and hosts second-place Smithtown tonight at 7. The game was to be played two weeks ago but was postponed because of snow.
“Smithtown was definitely in the back of our mind, it has been,” guard Megan Caskin said. “We just have to come out aggressive and hope for the best.”
The 5-8 Caskin came out aggressive last night. Although she scored just two points in the first quarter, she pushed the ball up the floor at every opportunity and helped Sachem build a 15-8 lead. Caskin, who rarely comes off the court and resembles a fluttering balloon expending its air supply on it, finished with 10 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals.
“I like a fast-paced game and we have a fast team,” Caskin said. “I do not like slowing it up.”
Sachem shot 41 percent (25-for-61) and forced 20 Longwood turnovers with relentless full-court pressure, which led to a handful of easy baskets. Sachem totaled 11 steals, three by Lauren Rakita. Rakita finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Forward Kristin Maccarone also scored 14 points, giving Sachem four double- digit scorers.
“That’s the beauty of this team,” Sachem coach Matt Brisson said. “We have more balance than people know.”
Brisson made sure his team did not overlook Longwood (5-3), which handed Smithtown its lone defeat earlier this season. Rakita scored six points in the first quarter and Maccarone added five. Seven different players scored in the second quarter as Sachem outscored Longwood 22-14 and took a 37-22 halftime lead. Longwood pulled within 13 points with six minutes left in the third but Merrihue hit four straight free throws to make it 44-27 with 5:08 left.
“They hit tough shots,” said Longwood coach Mark Gordon, whose team was led by Ritta Johnson’s 14 points and 11 rebounds. “And they were patient. If we stopped them inside, they hit from outside. If we guarded outside, they hurt us inside. They had the complete balance.”
Balance Sachem hopes to duplicate tonight in a first-place showdown.
“We’ve been looking forward to the Smithtown game since last week,” Merrihue said. “It’s going to be a battle.”
| SACHEM 67 |
| LONGWOOD 46 |
Longwood 61, Floyd 44: Rita Johnson scored 11 of her 19 points in a 24-7 fourth quarter for Longwood (6-3). Floyd is 4-5. Jan. 30
Longwood 50, Lindenhurst 42: La’tasia Lee had 14 points and six rebounds for Longwood (7-3). Lindenhurst is 0-9. Lo: Holmes 2-1-5, C. Lee 1-3-5, L. Lee 6-1-14, Johnson 6-1-13, Oleksiej 3-0-6, Jenkins 3-0-6, Ducz 0-1-1. Totals: 21-7-50. Li: Favara 1-1-3, Vogt 2-0-5, Scalice 7-0-17, Dairo 1-1-3, Vestuto 1-0- 2, Stabile 6-0-12. Totals: 18-2-42. Three-pointers: Lo (L. Lee); Li 4 (Scalice 3, Vogt). Feb. 1
| Smithtown 714821- 50 |
| Longwood 1515169- 55 |
La’tasia Lee’s 18 points, 9 rebounds and 6 steals led Longwood (8-3 Suffolk League I). Smithtown is 8-3. S: Towey 1-0-2, Salt 6-2-14, Rossi 2-0-4, Petrucci 4-5-14, Waters 0-1-1, Scorzelli 3-2-9, Ewing 3-0-6. Totals: 19-10-50. L: Holmes 2- 8-12, C. Lee 1-0-2, L. Lee 8-0-18, Johnson 4-1-9, Oleksiej 3-0-6, Jenkins 3-2-8. Totals: 21-11-55. Three-pointers: S 2 (Petrucci, Scorzelli); L 2 (L. Lee 2). Feb. 5
| Longwood 1810156-49 |
| Brentwood 912614-41 |
La’ tasia Lee scored eight of her 12 points in the first quarter as Longwood (9-3 League I) took an 18-9 lead. Ritta Johnson added 11 points and 12 rebounds. Brentwood is 3- 8. L: Holmes 1-0-2, C. Lee 3-1-7, L. Lee 6-0-12, Johnson 4-2-11, Oleksiej 1-2-4, Jenkins 1-3-5, Ducz 0-2-2, Garrahan 0-1-1, Mannino 1- 0-2, Marsala 1-0-3. Totals: 18-11-49. B: Howard 1-1-3, Pesante 3-2- 8, Koerner 1-0-2, Auguste 3-7-13, Crespo 0-1-1, Long 5-1-11, English 1-0-3. Totals: 14-12-41. Three-pointers: L 2 (Marsala, Johnson); B 1 (English). Feb. 7
| Longwood 1612131214-67 |
| Sachem 16141496-59 |
L: Holmes 3-2-8, C. Lee 1-4-6, L. Lee 6-1-13, Johnson 7-1-15, Oleksiej 2-0-4, Jenkins 4-4-13, Ducz 0-8-8. Totals: 23-20-67. S: Gandley 2-1-5, Higgins 0-1-1, Rakita 4-5-13, Merrihue 4-4-14, Caggiano 1-0-2, Maccarone 5-0-11, Caskin 1-2-4, Balzarini 1-7-9. Totals: 18-20-59. Three-pointers: L1 (Jenkins); S 3 (Merrihue 2, Maccarone). Feb. 10
| Ward Melville 513920-47 |
| Longwood 671614-43 |
Kristen Giordano had 15 points and five steals as Ward Melville (6-8) beat Longwood (10-4) for the first time since Jan. 25, 1992, a span of 21 meetings. Erin Casey added 14 points and 13 rebounds. WM: C. Wang 1-3-5, MacPherson 0-1-1, Atai 1-5-7, Casey 5-4-14, Giordano 5-2-15, J. Wang 1-2-5. Totals: 13-17-47. L: Holmes 1-0-2, Lee 2-4-8, Johnson 3-4-10, Oleksiej 1-3-5, Jenkins 3-0-6, Marsala 4- 0-12. Totals: 14-11-43. Three-pointers: WM 4 (Giordano 3, J. Wang); L 4 (Marsala 4). Feb.12
Suffolk Class AA – Quarterfinals
Longwood 57, Smithtown 43: La’tasia Lee (20 points) hit two three- pointers before halftime to give No. 4 Longwood (17-4) a 21-19 lead. She grabbed 11 rebounds and scored 11 of the team’s 17 points in the third quarter. Sharelle Holmes shot 8 of 12 from the foul line and had 11 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds. Deanna Scorzelli scored 15 for No. 5 Smithtown (14-7). S: Towey 1-0-2, Salt 3-4-11, Rossi 1-0-2, Petrucci 3-5-11, Scorzelli 3-8-15, Ewing 1-0-2. Totals: 12-17-43. L: Holmes 1-9-11, C. Lee 2-0-5, L. Lee 8-1-20, Johnson 4-3-11, Oleksiej 1-0-2, jenkins 3-2-8. Totals: 19-15-57. Three-pointers: S 2 (Salt, Scorzelli); L 4 (C. Lee, L. Lee 3). Feb. 22
Northport girls advance: [SUFFOLK Edition]
Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 26 Feb 2004:
For the final few minutes of the third quarter and the first couple of the fourth last night, the Northport girls basketball team offered a preview of what its team might look like next season.
With UMass-bound Kaylie Schiavetta on the bench resting a slightly twisted ankle, underclassmen Jill Byers, Ali Fourney, Whitney Murrer, Corrine Gandolfi and Kiera Schiavetta – Kaylie’s freshman sister – got the opportunity to play several minutes each and succeeded. Byers hit three perimeter jumpers and Gandolfi had two steals and four points during the crucial third quarter of Northport’s 83-68 victory over Longwood in a Suffolk Class AA semifinal in front of a near-capacity crowd of 1,000 at Smithtown. Top-seeded Northport (19-2) plays No. 2 Sachem Saturday at St. Joseph’s at either 5 or 8 p.m.
“We have 16 girls who can go out there and play,” said Byers, a 5- 7 junior who finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.
Northport led 36-31 at the half but China Lee’s inside field goal pulled No. 4 Longwood (17-5) to 39-37 with 6:30 left in the third. Fourney then scored on a lefty drive and Byers connected on a baseline jumper, sparking the Tigers. They outscored Longwood 26-17 in the quarter and took a 63-48 lead into the fourth.
Sophomore La’tasia Lee led Longwood with 29 points. Senior Ritta Johnson added 24 points and nine rebounds.
| Northport 18192620-83 |
| Longwood 15161720-68 |
N: Kayl. Schiavetta 5-9-20, Kier. Schiavetta 3-2-8, Gandolfi 3-3- 9, Murrer 5-3-13, Fourney 7-0-15, Seitter 3-0-8, Byers 4-2-10. Totals: 30-19-83. L: L. Lee 10-0-29, Johnson 11-2-24, Oleksiej 1-2- 4, C. Lee 3-0-6, Holmes 1-3-5. Totals: 26-7-68. Three-pointers: N 4 (Seitter 2, Kayl. Schiavetta, Fourney); L 6 (L. Lee 6).