Baldwin Nassau County Class AAA Champions
By Dave Graff
Port Washington averaged 55 ppg in their two conference wins over Baldwin during the season, but the Bruins held Port 29 points under that average enroute to winning the Nassau County/Section 8 Class AAA title 46-26. The game was played in front of a loud capacity crowd at Farmingdale State College.
Beating a team with championship DNA and a hall of fame level coach 3 times in a row is hard, particularly with a county title on the line. Baldwin came out with a game plan and executed it. The Bruins mixed up a combination of match-up zones, occasional m/m and full court pressure to keep Port off the scoreboard and relied on their quickness on offense. Port couldn’t solve Baldwin’s zone or hit shots and were forced into repeated turnovers. Chase Timberlake and Gabriel Phillips scored 8 of Baldwins 11 first quarter pts and the quarter ended with Baldwin up 11-6.
The second quarter became an offensive struggle for both teams. Port continued to turn the ball over and miss shots but Baldwin was unable to take advantage as Port’s defense kept them in the game. Each team scored only 2 field goals in the quarter (Austin Myles and Dylan Cudjoe for Baldwin and Trevor Amalfitano and Isias Clemmons for Port). The half ended with Baldwin in front 16-10.
John Spinoso opened the 3rd quarter for Port with a three to pull the Vikings to within 3 at 16-13 but Chauncey St. Jean responded with 2 FT’s and Chase Timberlake with a jumper for Baldwin keeping the Bruins in front 20-14. Baldwin’s defense continued to force turnovers and Dylan Cudjoe anchored the Bruins interior defense with his rebounding and shot blocking. The 3rd quarter ended with Baldwin in front 25-20.
Trevor Amalfitano started the 4th quarter with 4 fouls and Port decided not to hold him out. The strategy backfired when Amalfitano picked up his 5th foul and fouled out of the game with 5:26 remaining. With Port missing their leading scorer and leader, the Vikings continued to struggle on offense and turn the ball over (Port had 23 turnovers for the game) and Baldwin started to pull way. Chase Timberlake hit a drive and a three and Peyton Howell a jumper and 2 FT’s to put Baldwin up by 10 at 36-26 with 2:46 left. Port called a TO and pressed but the Vikings were no match for the Bruins quickness and were forced to foul. Baldwin made 10 of 14 FT’s the rest of the way to break the game open. Baldwin outscored Port 21-6 in the 4th quarter and the final score was 46-26. Baldwin has now won 4 Nassau County titles in a row and Port Washington which was looking for their first county title since 1947 will have to wait.
Chase Timberlake led Baldwin with 16 pts and Peyton Howell had 12 pts. John Spinoso led Port with 8 pts. Baldwin will play Bay Shore in the Class AAA Long Island Championship at Farmingdale State on Saturday 3/9 at 5pm. BOX SCORE
