In a game with some of the best back and forth action I’ve ever seen, the Mount Sinai Mustangs, behind big games from Dom Pennzello, Brian Vales, and Brock Kolsch, upset heavily favored Southampton to claim the Section 11 title and advance to the Long Island Class A Championship Game against Section 8 Champion Floral Park.
Southampton came into the game as defending champions, and had put together a 21-1 record this season, their only loss to eventual CHSAA State Champion St. Anthony’s. They were the highest ranked Class A team on Long Island, considered to be one of Long Island’s best teams in any class, and were ranked the number two Class A team in all of New York State by the New York State Sportswriters Association. By all accounts, a strong contender for a New York State Title, but as the season progressed and Mount Sinai began racking up one impressive win after another, putting together a 20-3 record, it was hard to deny that the Mustangs, although underdogs, just might have a chance to beat the mighty Mariners.
Looking back, the first quarter was a sign of things to come. Southampton had been ahead at the end of the first quarter in 21 of their 22 games this season, trailing only to St. Anthony’s, and thanks to a three-point play by Brian Vales, the Mustangs led 19-14 at the first quarter buzzer.
The Mustangs continued to build on that lead, up by 9 at intermission on baskets by Alex Campanelli, Dom Pennzello, and Brock Kolsch, but Southampton made its move in the third quarter, erasing what had become a 14 point deficit with a 30 point outburst sparked by a spinning layup by Alex Franklin and a floater by Navon Williams, fueled by Franklin and Saevion Ward, and topped off by a baseline jumper from Williams and a three pointer by Tyson Reddick. That might have been the knockout punch for many opponents, but Mount Sinai somehow managed to hold on, thanks in a large point to Pennzello, and they regained the third quarter lead on Kolsch's layup at the buzzer.
Many of the spectators in the crowd anticipated (or feared) that the Southampton rally would continue into the fourth quarter and the Mariners would prevail, but the final quarter was in stark contrast to the previous one. After giving up 30 points in the 3rd, Mount Sinai held Southampton to an equally stunning 8 fourth quarter points, getting some separation from a Vales basket from underneath and Pennzello's baseline jumper, good for an 8 point lead with 1:49 remaining. Williams kept the Mariners within striking distance with back to back baskets, the second one making the score 73-67, but a Vales putback with 17 seconds remaining iced the 75-67 upset and a spot in the Long Island Class A Championship Game.
The game was full of heroes for the Mustangs. First Team All-Long Island candidate Dom Pennzello led the way with 27 hard fought points, Brian Vales scored one important basket and collected one important rebound after another and finished with 20 point and 15 rebounds, Kolsch was a constant spark and took advantage of all his opportunities, finishing with 15 points, and brother Blake Kolsch did a great job of keeping the ball moving and picked up 6 assists. Southampton was led by All-Long candidates of their own, with Alex Franklin scoring 24 points and Naevon Williams 16.
Next up, Section 8 Champion Floral Park on Sunday, March 16th, 4:30 PM at Farmingdale State.
SECTION 11 AA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Mount Sinai 75 Southampton 67
