FARMINGDALE DEFEATS WESTBURY 46 – 44
By Dave Graff
In a key early season Nassau County AAA conference 2 match-up, Farmingdale beat Westbury 46 – 44 behind 24 pts from Jake Mangio. Last season, both teams had first-round playoff exits, but have deeper playoff aspirations this season, especially with perennial power Baldwin moving down to AA. The game was played at Farmingdale in front of a vocal crowd.
Mangio got off to a quick start, opened the scoring for Farmingdale with a jumper. Westbury came out in an aggressive man to man defense but could not find the basket at the other end, missing several shots from close range and managing only one field goal in the opening quarter. They struggled from the foul line as well, shooting 4 for 10. Mangio finished the quarter with 5 pts and Erik Kubelka and Cam Frontina added threes to put Farmingdale in front 13-6 after one.
Westbury went to a 2-3 zone in the second quarter and held Farmingdale without a field goal until midway through the period. Apollo Simmons scored on an offensive rebound and a three to pull the Dragons within one at 13-12, but Mangio responded with a three of his own and a fast break basket to put the Dalers up 6 at 18-12. Emmanuel Desrosier and Petshley Loussaint scored for Westbury, cutting the lead to 2 before Mangio nailed a three right before the halftime buzzer to give Farmingdale a 21-16 halftime lead.
In the third quarter Farmingdale twice opened up 10-point leads on baskets by Dylan Coleman and Jake Mangio. Westbury scored 5 straight points on a 3 by Apollo Simmons and a fast break bucket by Brian Destrat to pull within 5 at 31-26, but JJ Collins ended the third quarter with an and 1 underneath and the Dalers led 34-26 with three quarters complete.
In the fourth quarter Westbury finally began to find their shooting touch. Brian Destrat hit a jumper, a drive and a three, Simmons hit a three, and Loussaint scored twice underneath. The Dragons trailed 45-42 when they went to a 2-3 zone and doubled Mangio forcing a TO with 1 minute left (a strategy they probably should have employed earlier). On their next possession Petshley Loussaint hit an and 1 underneath and had a chance to tie the game with a free throw but missed. JJ Collins was fouled with 10 seconds remaining, made the first but on the second attempt was called for a 10 second foul line violation giving Westbury the ball back with a chance to tie or win. The Dragons dribbled to halfcourt and called time out to set up their final chance. JJ Collins then made the big defensive play for Farmingdale, stealing the in- bounds pass, and dribbling out the clock as the Farmingdale players celebrated around him.
Jake Mangio led Farmingdale with 24 pts, Apollo Simmons led Westbury with 15 pts, Brian Destrat chipped in with 12 pts. A key stat in this game was the free throw shooting. Farmingdale shot 3 for 7 from the line, Westbury shot 6 for 18. The teams will have a rematch at Westbury on Saturday, 1/25 at noon.
NEWS DESK
