Game 1
The first game of the double header at Stony Brook featured the Class A matchup between Kings Park and Southside High School. Southside comes in on a 23 game winning streak and is currently ranked number three on the entire Island. Kings Park is back in LIC game once again after another terrific season.
In the first quarter the game plan for the Kingsmen was clear as they were going to run every possession through their leader 6’3” CG Matt Garside ‘23. He was able to find a teammate and then scored before 6’3” G Rob Pericolosi (Southside ’23) got the Cyclones on the board. Southside got a bucket, Garside knocked down a tough jumper, Pericolosi finished a layup and then Garside scored again.
Garside and Pericolosi went back and forth scoring almost every point for their team in the first. The Cyclones took a 14-10 lead into the second quarter. 6’3” G Josh Garelle (Southside ’23) was able to score inside, Garside slipped by his defender for two and then hit a jumper on the next trip. Southside’s defense was rotating, communicating, and getting stops throughout the first half. While their defense was getting the job done their offense went stone cold as they lost the quarter 7-6.
Southside took a 20-17 lead into halftime despite Garside leading all scorers with 15. The Cyclones got some offense to start the third plus got Garelle a few extra touches. He was able to finish through contact, Garside scored inside, Garelle slid past his defender for a bucket but once again Garside responded for KP. This Kingsmen offense has run through Garside all year and that’s how they were going to try and win this game.
The Cyclones and Garelle took a 33-27 lead into the third even with Kings Park’s captain having 25 points. Their defense was eliminating any open threes for teammates and fording Garside to make difficult shots every trip. He was starting to wear down as Southside scored then got a basket from Garelle. They started to stretch the lead when Garside scored but you could see he was running out of gas.
Southside’s defense was suffocating the Kingsmen as time was running out quickly. Kings Park fought for the final couple of minutes but just couldn’t score enough to keep the pace. The Cyclones pulled away in the final minutes winning the game 45-31 for their first title since 1978. Pericolosi and Garelle each had 14 points while Garside lead all scorers with 27 points.
Game 2
The second game of the double header at Stony Brook University featured the Class A matchup between Baldwin and Brentwood. These two powerhouse programs are always a threat to win an LIC and this season was no different. Let’s look at this terrific matchup.
Baldwin got out to a wild 12-2 run to start the game featuring a couple of baskets from 6’4” G Jaylen Brown ‘23 and 5’10” CG Dylan Madden ‘23. Brentwood answered with a couple of lay ups from their back court and got a nice bucket from 6’4” SG Marquese Dennis ‘24. The Bruins scored, Brentwood got a basket from 6’3” SF Freddie Diogene ‘23 who finished a tough layup.
The Indians fought back to tie it at 18 then got a basket from Diogene but gave up an easy one to Madden on the other end. Baldwin hit a jumper, Brentwood hit two free throws then got another basket from Diogene. Brentwood was doing an excellent job of forcing tough shots for Baldwin in the second who seemed to be slowing down after their hot start.
Suffolks AA champs took a 30-27 lead into halftime despite on two points from their leading scorer. Brentwood started the half on an 8-0 run featuring baskets from Diogene, Dennis and their point guard. Baldwin’s top scorer was a bit off as well during the game, luckily Brown and Madden were ready to step up. Madden scored, Brown did as well before Diogene responded for the Indians. Dennis and company won the third quarter 14-8 stretching their lead to nine points.
The Bruins needed a spark if they were going get back in this game as they tried to turn up the pressure. Baldwin hit a three, Dennis knocked down a triple, Madden scored and Dennis finished a tough inside hoop. Brentwood hit a free throw, Brown scored, the Bruins stole the ball for a layup and the Indians went 1/2 from the line. Dennis got a bucket, Baldwin converted an and1 then hit two more free throws.
They were closing the gap but also starting to run out of time. The Bruins scored, Brentwood hit a jumper, Baldwin finished a layup, but the Indians made both free throws. Baldwin tried to foul but Brentwood handled business at the line and sealed the victory. They won 62-53 with Dennis leading the way with 15 points including 9 in the fourth quarter as well as 10 rebounds. Diogene had 14 points and 18 rebounds, Madden had a team high 13 and Brown added 11.
What’s Next
Southside takes on Irondequoit Section V Champ 3/17 at Cool Insuring Arena 7:45 PM
Brentwood takes on Victor Section V Champ
3/17 at Cool Insuring Arena 2:45 PM
The first game of the double header at Stony Brook featured the Class A matchup between Kings Park and Southside High School. Southside comes in on a 23 game winning streak and is currently ranked number three on the entire Island. Kings Park is back in LIC game once again after another terrific season.
In the first quarter the game plan for the Kingsmen was clear as they were going to run every possession through their leader 6’3” CG Matt Garside ‘23. He was able to find a teammate and then scored before 6’3” G Rob Pericolosi (Southside ’23) got the Cyclones on the board. Southside got a bucket, Garside knocked down a tough jumper, Pericolosi finished a layup and then Garside scored again.
Garside and Pericolosi went back and forth scoring almost every point for their team in the first. The Cyclones took a 14-10 lead into the second quarter. 6’3” G Josh Garelle (Southside ’23) was able to score inside, Garside slipped by his defender for two and then hit a jumper on the next trip. Southside’s defense was rotating, communicating, and getting stops throughout the first half. While their defense was getting the job done their offense went stone cold as they lost the quarter 7-6.
Southside took a 20-17 lead into halftime despite Garside leading all scorers with 15. The Cyclones got some offense to start the third plus got Garelle a few extra touches. He was able to finish through contact, Garside scored inside, Garelle slid past his defender for a bucket but once again Garside responded for KP. This Kingsmen offense has run through Garside all year and that’s how they were going to try and win this game.
The Cyclones and Garelle took a 33-27 lead into the third even with Kings Park’s captain having 25 points. Their defense was eliminating any open threes for teammates and fording Garside to make difficult shots every trip. He was starting to wear down as Southside scored then got a basket from Garelle. They started to stretch the lead when Garside scored but you could see he was running out of gas.
Southside’s defense was suffocating the Kingsmen as time was running out quickly. Kings Park fought for the final couple of minutes but just couldn’t score enough to keep the pace. The Cyclones pulled away in the final minutes winning the game 45-31 for their first title since 1978. Pericolosi and Garelle each had 14 points while Garside lead all scorers with 27 points.
Game 2
The second game of the double header at Stony Brook University featured the Class A matchup between Baldwin and Brentwood. These two powerhouse programs are always a threat to win an LIC and this season was no different. Let’s look at this terrific matchup.
Baldwin got out to a wild 12-2 run to start the game featuring a couple of baskets from 6’4” G Jaylen Brown ‘23 and 5’10” CG Dylan Madden ‘23. Brentwood answered with a couple of lay ups from their back court and got a nice bucket from 6’4” SG Marquese Dennis ‘24. The Bruins scored, Brentwood got a basket from 6’3” SF Freddie Diogene ‘23 who finished a tough layup.
The Indians fought back to tie it at 18 then got a basket from Diogene but gave up an easy one to Madden on the other end. Baldwin hit a jumper, Brentwood hit two free throws then got another basket from Diogene. Brentwood was doing an excellent job of forcing tough shots for Baldwin in the second who seemed to be slowing down after their hot start.
Suffolks AA champs took a 30-27 lead into halftime despite on two points from their leading scorer. Brentwood started the half on an 8-0 run featuring baskets from Diogene, Dennis and their point guard. Baldwin’s top scorer was a bit off as well during the game, luckily Brown and Madden were ready to step up. Madden scored, Brown did as well before Diogene responded for the Indians. Dennis and company won the third quarter 14-8 stretching their lead to nine points.
The Bruins needed a spark if they were going get back in this game as they tried to turn up the pressure. Baldwin hit a three, Dennis knocked down a triple, Madden scored and Dennis finished a tough inside hoop. Brentwood hit a free throw, Brown scored, the Bruins stole the ball for a layup and the Indians went 1/2 from the line. Dennis got a bucket, Baldwin converted an and1 then hit two more free throws.
They were closing the gap but also starting to run out of time. The Bruins scored, Brentwood hit a jumper, Baldwin finished a layup, but the Indians made both free throws. Baldwin tried to foul but Brentwood handled business at the line and sealed the victory. They won 62-53 with Dennis leading the way with 15 points including 9 in the fourth quarter as well as 10 rebounds. Diogene had 14 points and 18 rebounds, Madden had a team high 13 and Brown added 11.
What’s Next
Southside takes on Irondequoit Section V Champ 3/17 at Cool Insuring Arena 7:45 PM
Brentwood takes on Victor Section V Champ
3/17 at Cool Insuring Arena 2:45 PM
