Basketball Preview

Class AA: Has there been a time in recent history when so many programs have a chance to win? Copiague, Longwood, East Islip and Whitman could all reach the playoffs. Defending champ Brentwood graduated Newsday Suffolk player of the year John Garcia. (He’s now at Seton Hall.) Bay Shore, which lost to Brentwood, 52-51, in the final, returns only guard Chris Obi. And Smithtown, a 17-5 semifinalist, split into two programs. East Islip nearly upset Copiague in the first round and could be a factor again. Longwood bounces back from a four-win season and Copiague, a semifinalist, returns four starters, including dynamic floor general Sean Smith. Dec. 18

Longwood 12151119-57

South Side 1812116-47

L: J. Davis 3-1-7, M. Davis 2-4-8, Young 5-5-16, Daniyan 9-1-19, Warner 0-2-2, Pruitt 1-2-5. Totals: 20-15-57. S: Diamond 4-2-10, Dowling 2-0-5, Molloy 6-0-12, Hayes 2-3-7, Bastian 3-1-8, Morrissey 1-3-5. Totals: 18-9-47. Three-pointers: L 2 (Young, Pruitt); S 2 (Dowling, Bastian). Dec. 11

Longwood 22131416-65

Central Islip 7201111-49

L: Borriello 1-0-2, Buscetta 0-2-2, Wilson 4-0-8, Young 6-4-18, Pruitt 4-2-10, J. Davis 2-2-6, M. Davis 6-2-14, Daniyan 2-1-5. Totals: 25-13-65. CI: Mills 1-0-2, Miller 1-2-5, Banton 2-1-5, Negron 1-0-3, Randolph 1-0-3, Lewis 5-0-10, Belle 5-0-10, Anderson 1- 0-2, Adams 1-0-2, Duprey 0-2-2, Duncan 0-1-1, Barbour 0-2-2, Amusa 1- 0-2. Totals: 19-8-49. Three-pointers: L 2 (Young 2); CI 3 (Miller, Negron, Randolph). Dec. 17

Longwood 14161915 – 64

Floyd 6141318 – 51

Senior Maurice Davis had a career-high 24 points with six rebounds and five assists for Longwood in a Suffolk League I opener. Senior Julian Davis had a career-high 20 points with eight rebounds. L: Pruitt 1-0-2, Daniyan 2-5-9, J. Davis 8-4-20, M. Davis 8-8- 24, Young 2-3-7, Buscetta 1-0-2. Totals: 22-20-64. F: Zippel 4-0-9, Hyde 1-2-4, Smith 1-4-6, Haynes 2-0-4, Lewis 1-1-3, Williams 1-4-6, Parker 5-1-11, Knighter 2-0-4, Sydmonds 2-0-4. Totals: 19-12-51. Three-pointers: F 1 (Zippel). Dec. 22

Rim Rocker Tournament

First round – at Longwood

Floral Park 12121422 – 60

Longwood 17102819 – 74

FP: Andreuzzi 4-3-14, Bi. Butler 7-6-23, Br. Butler 1-0-2, Cartmell 2-2-6, Garcia 7-0-15. Totals: 21-11-60. L: J. Davis 4-2- 10, M. Davis 6-2-14, Young 3-0-6, Daniyan 6-1-13, Warner 2-2-6, Pruitt 2-0-5, Buscetta 5-0-15, Wilson 1-1-3, King 1-0-2. Totals: 30- 8-74. Three-pointers: FP 7 (Bi. Butler 3, Andreuzzi 3, Garcia); L 6 (Buscetta 5, Pruitt). Dec. 30

Rim Rocker Tournament Final – at Longwood

Lawrence Woodmere Acad. 17241223-76

Longwood 1962218-65

LWA: Marshall 6-0-14, Nash 8-7-23, Rutledge 8-2-22, Brandt 2-0- 5, Lorrea 4-0-8, William 0-2-2, Riddick 1-0-2. Totals: 29-11-76. Lo: J. Davis 1-0-2, Daniyan 6-2-14, Warner 3-0-6, Young 6-1-14, Buscetta 3-0-8, M. Davis 6-9-21. Totals: 25-12-65. Three-pointers: LWA 7 (Rutledge 4, Marshall 2, Brandt); Lo 3 (Buscetta 2, Young). Dec. 31

Rim Rocker Tournament – at Longwood

Longwood 19111220-62

New Rochelle 14101314-51

L: Pruitt 1-0-2, Warner 0-2-2, J. Davis 3-2-8, Daniyan 3-0-6, Young 3-0-8, M. Davis 6-3-16, King 2-0-5, Borriello 1-0-2, Buscetta 4-1-13. Totals: 23-8-62. N: Redfren 3-4-10, Gill 5-5-16, Peters 3-2- 8, Rice 0-2-2, Cooper 5-3-13, Dixon 1-0-2. Totals: 17-16-51. Three- pointers: L 8 (Buscetta 4, Young 2, M. Davis, King); N 1 (Gill). Dec. 31

Brentwood 18121321-64

Longwood 22191623-80

Errol Daniyan had 21 points and 12 rebounds for Longwood. Maurice Davis added 11 points. B: Evans 2-2-7, Quinenchetta 2-0-4, Goode 2-3-7, Tyson 2-2-7, Harris 4-5-13, Flournoy 4-1-11, Brown 6-3-15. Totals: 22-16-64. L: Young 3-2-8, Daniyan 9-3-21, Pruitt 4-3-12, Buscetta 3-1-10, J. Davis 3-0-6, Wilson 3-1-7, M. Davis 4-3-11, Warner 2-1-5. Totals: 31- 14-80. Three-pointers: B 4 (Flournoy 2, Evans, Tyson); L 4 (Buscetta 3, Pruitt). Jan. 4

LINDENHURST 65, LONGWOOD 41, No one saw this coming, Supposed power Longwood rocked by Lindy’s 19-0 start: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition]

JASON MOLINET. STAFF WRITER. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 07 Jan 2007

Chris Barnes didn’t waste any effort. The lone senior in the Lindenhurst lineup received the ball along the right wing – two steps beyond the three-point arc – and just as quickly elevated and fired a wide-open shot.

Swish. Twenty-four seconds later the ball found his hands again. This time Barnes was set up in the left corner. Swish. It was barely 1:04 into yesterday’s Suffolk League I boys basketball showdown at Longwood and the Bulldogs were just getting started.

Lindenhurst opened the game with a 19-0 run and never looked back in a 65-41 win over Longwood that was as impressive as it was stunning. A young Lindenhurst squad marched into the Lions’ Den and silenced the crowd of about 600 with a mesmerizing offensive display.

“This is huge,” said Barnes, who sank three first-quarter threes and finished with 11 points. “This jump-starts us for the rest of the league season.”

After a pair of quick threes from Barnes, a time-out from Lions coach Dennis Terry might have been in order. It never came. Lindenhurst (5-1, 1-0) kept padding its lead while the Lions committed six turnovers in the first quarter alone. Senior forward Errol Daniyan, who finished with 14 points, scored Longwood’s first points with 1:11 left in the quarter.

“We tried to control the tempo of the game and I think we did that well,” said Lindy junior Chris Johnson, who poured in 23 points and added five rebounds and four assists.

The result was a stunner because Longwood (4-5, 1-1) was widely considered the league favorite and played a brutal schedule in the run-up to the league season. Yet in this upside-down basketball season, no team apparently is invulnerable to letdown. Even Lindenhurst hiccupped last week in a 71-45 loss to Copiague.

“Last year we struggled,” Barnes said. “But the tough losses helped us mature as a team.”

The Bulldogs start three juniors and a freshman and still have plenty of growing to do. But to knock off Longwood is a good start. A home date with Sachem East on Tuesday is next.

“Everybody thinks Longwood is the team to beat – and they still are,” Lindenhurst coach John Albano said. “It’s a momentum thing. This is a real confidence boost.”

Their confidence grew as the lead expanded and 10 players scored. Junior Brian Cervantes (10 points, 10 rebounds) helped neutralize Longwood’s inside game, while the Lions guards went cold from the perimeter.

It’s a long season, but there’s little doubt this rout will be on everyone’s minds when these teams meet again in February – and possibly beyond.

“I think we can go as far as we decide,” Johnson said. “It’s a matter of putting our hearts into it.”

Lo: Young 1-2-4, Daniyan 8-0-16, King 3-0-7, Johnston 2-0-5, M. Davis 1-0-2, J. Davis 7-6-20. Totals: 22-8-54. Li: Barnes 4-1-12, Johnson 11-1-23, Zajack 4-0-8, Parzych 0-2-2, Cervantes 3-1-7. Totals: 25-5-52. Three-pointers: Lo 2(King, Johnston); Li 3(Barnes 3).

Sachem East 20171214-63

Longwood 19182018-75

SE: T. Thorstensen 1-0-3, Stayne 5-0-12, Turner 2-0-6, M. Sherwood 4-1-10, Brusalis 9-3-22, D. Sherwood 2-0-5, Perry 2-0-5. Totals: 25-4-63. L: Young 1-7-9, J. Davis 5-0-10, Holmes 1-0-2, Pruitt 2-2-6, Buscetta 1-0-3, Borriello 6-0-13, Warner 1-0-2, King 3- 0-6, Daniyan 3-1-7, M. Davis 0-5-5, Wilson 4-0-8, Johnston 2-0-4. Totals: 29-15-75. Three-pointers: SE 9 (Stayne 2, Turner 2, T. Thorstensen, M. Sherwood, Brusalis, D. Sherwood, Perry); L 2 (Buscetta, Borriello). Jan. 14

Longwood 1781817-60

Ward Melville 2217159-63

Tillmann Goes’ two free throws gave Ward Melville (1-4) the final margin. Senior Eddie Pomales had a career-high 29 points, and Corey Manning 18 points and 12 rebounds. Errol Danryan had 15 points for Longwood (4-1).L: J. Davis 4-5-13, Borriello 1-0-2, M. Davis 2-2-6, Young 2-4- 9, Danryan 7-1-15, Warner 0-1-1, Pruitt 0-4-4, Buscetta 2-0-6, Holmes 0-2-2, King 1-0-2. Totals: 19-19-60. WM: Brous 1-3-5, Field 1- 0-3, Healy 0-2-2, Goes 1-4-6, Pomales 11-4-29, Manning 8-1-18. Totals: 22-14-63. Three-pointers: L 3 (Buscetta 2, Young); WM 5 (Pomales 3, Field, Manning). b Jan. 18

EYE ON THE ISLAND: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition]

Gold, Jeff. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 19 Jan 2006: 

BOYS BASKETBALL

Floyd at Lindenhurst, 7 p.m.: Different players have come up with clutch plays in close games for Floyd, which at 4-1 is tied with Longwood for first place in Suffolk League I. Now Sean Haynes and John Symonds look to do it again in another hostile environment. Lindenhurst can’t afford to drop to 1-4 in Suffolk League I if it plans on making the playoffs, so expect Ed Zajac to play tough in the paint. If Zajac is a factor at the low post, expect Chris Johnson and Chris Barnes to get some good looks from three-point land.

Patchogue-Medford 1211718-48

Longwood 10181612-56

PM: Zollo 8-1-17, Sinclair 1-0-2, Z. Robinson 1-1-3, S. Robinson 2-5-10, Keenan 6-1-16. Totals: 18-8-48. L: Buscetta 4-0-11, J. Davis 4-1-9, Pruitt 1-0-3, Young 4-2-10, Cavalluzzo 1-0-3, Daniyan 5-0- 10, Warner 1-0-2, Wilson 1-0-2, M. Davis 2-2-6. Totals: 23-5-56. Three-pointers: PM 4 (Keenan 3, Robinson); L 5 (Bucetta 3, Pruitt, Cavalluzzo). Jan. 21

LI HOOPS INSIDER, Three teams press for success: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition]

JASON MOLINET. STAFF WRITER. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 24 Jan 2006: 

Offseason conditioning and added experience are the biggest reasons why three Long Island boys basketball programs have gotten better in a hurry.

Longwood, Northport and St. John the Baptist each struggled mightily a year ago. An offseason of sweat and personal improvement helped each turn conventional wisdom on its ear to remain in the thick of playoff races at the midpoint of the season. It took more than wishful thinking. Dedication is where it began. The postseason is where they’re headed. Here are their stories:

Longwood hit bottom last season, as veteran coach Dennis Terry suffered through a 4-15 season and a last-place finish in Suffolk’s ultra-competitive League I. Terry has eight of the players who started on that team back. Only this time, the Lions are considered a contender again.

“I’m pleased because the kids could have done other things,” Terry said. “They chose to lift weights and put in the work to get better. And it’s showed.”

Longwood reached the Suffolk Class AA title game in 2004 and came within a buzzer-beater of capturing the state public schools Class A title in 2000. This group of Lions (10-3, 5-1) compares favorably to the past.

Four part-time starters a year ago are making key contributions as seniors. Small forward Maurice Davis is averaging 14 points while 6-4 Julian Davies anchors the middle. Guard Matt Pruitt can score and John Buscetta is a three-point shooting threat off the bench.

Perhaps the biggest impact has been made by two newcomers. Senior point guard Josh Young transferred from Patchogue-Medford and top defender Anthony Borriello, who quarterbacked the football team, didn’t play basketball last season.

Like Terry, Northport coach George Franck is no stranger to success. He’s taken the Tigers to Glens Falls and the state Final Four. The Tigers have had some good teams in the decade since, but none measure up to the group that shocked Hempstead to take the Long Island Class A title in 1995.

FLOYD 59, LONGWOOD 56, No start, but excellent finish: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition]

EVERETT FELL. STAFF WRITER. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 25 Jan 2006:

Floyd forward Sean Haynes learned only minutes before tip-off for yesterday’s game at Longwood that he would not be starting. The 6-8 senior accepted the news, believing he would find a way to contribute. Not even the most steadfast optimist could envision the impact Haynes would have on the game.

Following a three-pointer by Longwood‘s Matt Pruitt that tied the score at 56 with three seconds left, Floyd’s Justin Knightner pushed the ball upcourt and found Haynes in the left corner. Haynes heaved up a prayer that banked in off the glass right before time expired and gave Floyd a 59-56 Suffolk League I boys basketball win.

“I just shot it and was like ‘Oh God,'” Haynes said. “I guess there is a God.”

Longwood coach Dennis Terry took a more grounded perspective on the winning basket. “Happy Birthday for him,” Terry said. “He doesn’t usually take that shot but it went in. I’ve been coaching 31 years and I’ve seen a whole lot of that. It’s what makes high- school basketball so exciting.”

Floyd coach Bob Hodgson decided not to start Haynes for the first time since he was a freshman to try and neutralize Longwood‘s speed that Hodgson cited as the difference in a 64-51 loss earlier in the season.

The tactic resulted in a 31-19 halftime lead for Floyd (7-7, 5- 2) which moves into a tie for first in League I.

Sean Hyde led the way with 18 of his 22 points at the break for Floyd. The senior also had 12 rebounds for the game.

“We stabilized their guards and played maybe our best half of the season,” Hodgson said.

Floyd stretched their lead to 51-38 early in the fourth quarter as the Colonials held Longwood scoreless for the first 3:25 of the period. An Errol Daniyan putback broke the drought for Longwood and the junior would eventually cut the lead to 54-53 with 50 seconds left on a 5-foot turnaround floater from the right baseline.

“[Daniyan] stepped up in the second half,” Terry said, “but he has to know that because he’s 6-6 that most players can’t handle him.”

Daniyan scored 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter. Maurice Davis led Longwood (10-4, 5-2) with 14 points.

Both Davis and Daniyan failed on chances to put Longwood up in the final seconds. The Lions had possession down 54-53 with 44 seconds left when Davis drove to the hoop but had the ball knocked out-of-bounds under the basket. Daniyan followed with a cross-court pass that sailed into Longwood‘s bench.

Floyd’s Rob Zippel converted two free-throws to make the score 56- 53, setting up Pruitt’s tying three-pointer and then Haynes’ improbable basket, his only of the entire game.

Lindenhurst 1413319-49

Longwood 8161117-52

Maurice Davis converted a three- point play with three seconds left to provide the final margin for Longwood (7-2). Davis finished with 13 points. Chris Johnson led Lindenhurst (3-5) with 20 points.Li: Barnes 1-0-3, Johnson 9-2-20, Parzych 2-0-4, Zajac 4-3-11, Sadowski 1-0-3, Cervantes 3-2-8. Totals: 20-7-49. Lo: Buscetta 3-0- 7, Pruitt 1-0-2, Young 3-7-13, J. Davis 2-4-8, Daniyan 4-1-9, M. Davis 5-3-13. Totals: 18-15-52. Three-pointers:; Li (Barnes, Sadowski); Lo 1 (Buscetta). Feb. 1

Longwood 15161516-62

Sachem East 11181917-65

Chris Brusalis had 16 points, six rebounds and six assists for second-year program Sachem East, which clinched its first playoff berth. Longwood is 7-3.L: J. Davis 0-1-1, Boriello 3-0-6, M. Davis 6-8-20, Young 2-1-5, Daniyan 4-2-10, Pruitt 1-5-7, Buscetta 0-1-1, Wilson 3-0-6, King 3- 0-6. Totals: 22-18-62. SE: O’Shaughnessy 5-2-12, Stayne 4-0-9, Turner 4-0-9, Brusalis 6-2-16, T. Thorstensen 1-0-2, Perry 0-2-2, M. Sherwood 5-5-15. Totals: 25-11-65. Three-pointers: SE 4 (Brusalis 2, Stayner, Turner).  Feb. 8

Ward Melville 1461623-59

Longwood 21102018-69

WM: Scantlebury 0-1-1, Manning 8-3-20, Field 1-0-3, Goes 5-0-10, Healy 1-8-10, Pomales 3-0-7, Dent 1-0-3, Brous 2-1-5. Totals: 21-13- 59. L: J. Davis 4-6-14, Buscetta 4-0-10, Pruitt 5-2-12, Cavalluzzo 1- 0-2, Wilson 1-0-2, Warner 3-0-6, M. Davis 5-3-13, Daniyan 2-0-4, Young 2-0-4, King 1-0-2. Totals: 28-11-69. Three-pointers: WM 4 (Manning, Field, Pomales, Dent); L 2 (Buscetta 2). Feb. 11

Longwood 13131016-52

Patchogue-Medford 1212817-49

L: M. Davis 5-3-13, Borriello 1-0-2, Buscetta 1-0-3, Young 4-1- 11, J. Davis 4-2-10, Johnston 1-0-3, Daniyan 2-0-4, Pruitt 1-2-4, Wilson 1-0-2. Totals: 20-8-52. PM: Zollo 7-3-17, Robinson 4-0-8, Young 1-2-5, Keenan 4-3-13, Rooney 3-0-6. Totals: 19-8-49. Three- pointers: L 4 (Young 2, Buscetta, Johnston); PM 3 (Keenan 2, Young). Feb. 15

NASSAU AND SUFFOLK BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS, Uniondale eyes 5th straight title: [NASSAU AND SUFFOLK Edition]

JASON MOLINET. STAFF WRITER. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 17 Feb 2006:

The Suffolk Class AA playoffs are wide open. At least that’s what No. 1 Copiague (18-1) and guard Sean Smith would have you believe. All of League I is battle-tested, so don’t be surprised if No. 2 Longwood (14-5), No. 3 Floyd (11-6) or No. 12 Brentwood (11-7) go far.

Longwood 66, Riverhead 52: Maurice Davis scored nine of his 16 points in a 27-10 third quarter for No. 2 Longwood in a first-round game. Errol Daniyan had eight of his 14 points in the third for Longwood. Gabe Jackson scored 14 points for No. 15 Riverhead (12- 9). Feb. 22

Bay Shore (10) 14111020- 55

Longwood (2) 1112625- 54

BS: Obi 5-6-17, Ingram 1-1-4, Abdul 5-0-10, Murphy 4-1-9, Hucks 4- 2-10, DePass 1-0-3, Heyward 1-0-2. Totals: 21-10-55. L: J. Davis 4- 1-9, Borriello 3-0-6, M. Davis 3-3-9, Young 2-0-6, Daniyon 8-0-16, Pruitt 2-2-6, Buscetta 1-0-2. Totals: 23-6-54. Threes: BS: Obi, Ongram, DePass; L 2 (Young 2). Feb. 25