CLASS AAA SEMIFINALS
GAME 1
Port Washington 54 Farmingdale 43
Top seeded Port Washington was playing in their third consecutive Section 8 Class AAA semifinal, but after losing the first two, the frustrated senior-led Vikings were determined to advance and get the chance to earn the school’s first championship since 1947. They did just that, riding their suffocating defense to a 54-43 victory over the Farmingdale Dalers and a spot in the Section 8 Class AAA Championship Game. Cole Reyes led the way with 17 points and Brian Shanahan added 11.
Port Washington had won both regular season matchups with Farmingdale, but the more recent game was decided on a buzzer-beating three-pointer, and the Dalers were fresh off an impressive win over Hempstead in the quarterfinals, so it looked like a good matchup. The only variable was Jake Mangio, Farmingdale’s leading scorer, who had games of 20 and 25 points in the regular season games between the two teams, but he had to sit out their first playoff game against Hempstead with an ankle injury.
The Vikings got off to a good start, answering two quick Farmingdale baskets with a 14-2 run sparked by Reyes, who knocked down two three-pointers. Shanahan joined in with 6 points of his own, while the stingy Viking defense dug in and allowed Farmingdale just 6 first-quarter points. That was enough to get Mangio, who was dressed but started the game on the bench, into the game before things got out of hand. He answered the call, scoring 10 second-quarter points to keep the Dalers within striking distance, but after intermission, Port Washington showed some offensive firepower from two unexpected sources. Chase Kovar knocked down two 3-pointers and finished with a season high 8 points, all in the 3rd quarter, and Billy Edelstein knocked down a big three to match his season high of 6 points, giving the Vikings a 19 point quarter and a decisive 46-30 lead with three quarters in the books. It was a big lead to overcome against a Port Washington team that held 6 regular season opponents to scores in the 30s, but to their credit, the Dalers shaved it to 7. That's as close as they would get. Mangio finished with 20 points and JJ Collins had 12 for Farmingdale.Port Washington moves on to face #2 seed East Meadow, a team they split the season series with, in the title game. It will be a good one!
BOX SCORE
GAME 2
East Meadow Defeats Uniondale 56 - 42
to Advance to the Nassau County AAA Finals
by Dave Graff
Second seed East Meadow and 3rd seeded Uniondale were on a collision course. Back on December 8th at Uniondale, East Meadow beat the Knights 58-57 in double overtime. Coming into this game East Meadow was on a 15 game-winning streak and Uniondale an 11 game-winning streak. With a berth in the county finals on the line, East Meadow behind stingy defense and 21 points from Isaiah Perkins, beat Uniondale to advance. The game was played at Farmingdale State.
The first quarter mirrored the last time these teams played with each team playing tough D and countering each other’s scoring. Dylan Hickman scored four points for Uniondale and Isaiah Perkins had four points for East Meadow. Mazin Ibrahem hit a jumper at the close of the quarter giving east Meadow a 12-10 lead after one.
In the second quarter both teams switched to a 3-2 zone and this was where the game turned. Uniondale was unable to hit from the outside where East Meadow made the Knights pay by nailing four threes’ (two by Perkins, one by Ibrahem and one by Will Casseus). Uniondale didn’t score a point until the 3:39 mark when Jayden Oden hit two free throws. Jayden Barrows and Dylan Hickman kept the Knights in the game by hitting two big threes. East Meadow outscored Uniondale 17-8 in the second quarter and led 29-18 at the half.
The third quarter opened with Nick Destefano scoring 2 buckets on an offensive rebound and a drive giving the Jets a 15-point lead. East Meadow maintained the lead until 2 minutes left in the quarter when Uniondale went into a half court zone trap. Jayden Oden scored an and one off a turnover, Mori Tony scored on an offensive rebound and Barrows scored in the post. The Knights closed quarter on a 9-2 run, pulling within 8 at 40 to 32 at the end of the third quarter.
Isaiah Perkins hit a three and was fouled to start the fourth quarter giving East Meadow a 12-point lead. Dylan Hickman countered for Uniondale by hitting a three and Uniondale went into a 1-2-2 three quarter court press. This is where East Meadow’s experience showed (they start 5 seniors). The Jets handled the pressure, used the shot clock, made their free throws and expanded the lead back up to 15 with two minutes to play. Will Casseus did a great job of handling the ball and Isaiah Perkins scored 9 points in the quarter for East Meadow. The final score was East Meadow 56 Uniondale 42.
Perkins led East Meadow with 21 points and Will Casseus scored 14 points. Dylan Hickman had 13 points for Uniondale and Mori Toney scored 10 points.
East Meadow will play top seeded Port Washington for the Nassau County AAA Championship this Saturday March 8th at 8:00 PM at Farmingdale State.
