By Brian Reichert
Southside 57 Manhasset 46
Game 1 of the Section VIII Championships featured two terrific A programs in Manhasset and Southside. Manhasset was our number two ranked team on Long Island while Southside comes in as number four plus is riding a 20 game winning streak.
The Indians were missing some threes early in the first as 5’10” James Bivona Southside ‘23 got offense going for the Cyclones. He was excellent, scoring 8 in the first as Southside started to build a lead after a big 9-0 run. Manhasset was struggling to break down the matchup zone and ended up trailing 16-6 after the first.
Manhasset caused three straight turnovers to start the half and also went on 6-0 run. 6” James Notias Manhasset ‘24 hit a key shot and then started to find the big underneath. The Indians also got a big lift from 6’4” SG Liam Connor ‘24 who had a big quarter and got in some rhythm offensively. Southside was able to knock down a few shots but saw their lead dwindle to one.
Notias found a teammate for a layup, Connor scored, the Cyclones answered with a basket then knocked down a three. The three gave them a 30-28 lead, they got a stop then Bivona drilled his third three of the game. This momentum lead to a 10-2 lead as the Cyclones zone held Manhasset to just eight points in the quarter.
Southside lead 37-30 and they pushed the lead to 11 thanks to 6’4” G Josh Garelle ‘23. Connor was able to get free for a basket, Notias scored but Garelle answered for Southside. The Cyclones got fouled a ton in the quarter and were making their free throws. They answered every run with a basket or a stop with their zone. Manhasset kept fouling hoping for some misses but Southside did what they needed to do.
The Cyclones pulled away and emptied the bench as they won 57-46. They held Manhasset to just 28% from the field and really limited their three pointers. Garelle lead the Cyclones with 16 points while Bivona added 13. Connor ended a fantastic career with 15 points and Notias chipped in 14.
Baldwin 45 Port Washington 39
Game 2 of the doubleheader at Hofstra featured the AA matchup of the number one seed Baldwin Bruins against their rival the Port Washington Vikings. Baldwin won both regular season matchups, but each game was tight.
Baldwin’s game plan is always bing the energy and pressure that’s just what they do. The Vikings, being prepared were able to get some offense early on. 6’1” SG Trevor Amalfitano Port Washington ‘24 is the Vikings top scorer and they looked for him early and often. The Bruins were forcing tough shots but weren’t having too much success on the offensive end.
Port Washington to an 11-8 lead in to the second and were looking to extend the lead. They had a few shots rattle in and out but still kept Baldwin off balance on offense. The Bruins got a steal, then 5’10” CG Dylan Madden ‘23 scored and 5’10” G Chase Timberlake ‘25 did as well. Baldwin really ramped up the intensity in the second causing the Vikings to panic.
Baldwin took a 19-16 lead into halftime and felt like they had the momentum. Port Washington was ready to fight back as they knocked down a shot, got a basket from Amalfitano and dug in defensively. The Bruins got a bit sloppy and cold for multiple stretches in the third. Amalfitano found a teammate for a basket, Madden hit a three but the Vikings scored again.
The Vikings lead 26-24 after three quarters and Baldwin was starting to rack up the fouls. While the Bruins top two scorers were getting all the focus it allowed guys like Madden and Timberlake step up. Timberlake made a big three, made a clutch stop while Madden went four for four from the line in the fourth. Baldwin sped up the game taking the Vikings a little outside their comfort zone.
Port Washington were letting the Bruins generate easy buckets from pressure and transition. Baldwin scored and took a five point lead with about minutes to go. The Vikings rallied to tie it up with 1:33 left when Baldwin drilled a three, got a stop then made both of their free throws. Port Washington despite their best offensive quarter gave up 21 points. Baldwin beat them for the third time this season by the final of 45-39. Madden lead the Bruins with 14 while Timberlake added 11. Amalfitano had 9 points and fought hard from start to finish.
What’s Next
3/11 At Stony Brook University
2 PM Southside vs Kings Park
4:30 PM Baldwin vs Brentwood
Southside 57 Manhasset 46
Game 1 of the Section VIII Championships featured two terrific A programs in Manhasset and Southside. Manhasset was our number two ranked team on Long Island while Southside comes in as number four plus is riding a 20 game winning streak.
The Indians were missing some threes early in the first as 5’10” James Bivona Southside ‘23 got offense going for the Cyclones. He was excellent, scoring 8 in the first as Southside started to build a lead after a big 9-0 run. Manhasset was struggling to break down the matchup zone and ended up trailing 16-6 after the first.
Manhasset caused three straight turnovers to start the half and also went on 6-0 run. 6” James Notias Manhasset ‘24 hit a key shot and then started to find the big underneath. The Indians also got a big lift from 6’4” SG Liam Connor ‘24 who had a big quarter and got in some rhythm offensively. Southside was able to knock down a few shots but saw their lead dwindle to one.
Notias found a teammate for a layup, Connor scored, the Cyclones answered with a basket then knocked down a three. The three gave them a 30-28 lead, they got a stop then Bivona drilled his third three of the game. This momentum lead to a 10-2 lead as the Cyclones zone held Manhasset to just eight points in the quarter.
Southside lead 37-30 and they pushed the lead to 11 thanks to 6’4” G Josh Garelle ‘23. Connor was able to get free for a basket, Notias scored but Garelle answered for Southside. The Cyclones got fouled a ton in the quarter and were making their free throws. They answered every run with a basket or a stop with their zone. Manhasset kept fouling hoping for some misses but Southside did what they needed to do.
The Cyclones pulled away and emptied the bench as they won 57-46. They held Manhasset to just 28% from the field and really limited their three pointers. Garelle lead the Cyclones with 16 points while Bivona added 13. Connor ended a fantastic career with 15 points and Notias chipped in 14.
Baldwin 45 Port Washington 39
Game 2 of the doubleheader at Hofstra featured the AA matchup of the number one seed Baldwin Bruins against their rival the Port Washington Vikings. Baldwin won both regular season matchups, but each game was tight.
Baldwin’s game plan is always bing the energy and pressure that’s just what they do. The Vikings, being prepared were able to get some offense early on. 6’1” SG Trevor Amalfitano Port Washington ‘24 is the Vikings top scorer and they looked for him early and often. The Bruins were forcing tough shots but weren’t having too much success on the offensive end.
Port Washington to an 11-8 lead in to the second and were looking to extend the lead. They had a few shots rattle in and out but still kept Baldwin off balance on offense. The Bruins got a steal, then 5’10” CG Dylan Madden ‘23 scored and 5’10” G Chase Timberlake ‘25 did as well. Baldwin really ramped up the intensity in the second causing the Vikings to panic.
Baldwin took a 19-16 lead into halftime and felt like they had the momentum. Port Washington was ready to fight back as they knocked down a shot, got a basket from Amalfitano and dug in defensively. The Bruins got a bit sloppy and cold for multiple stretches in the third. Amalfitano found a teammate for a basket, Madden hit a three but the Vikings scored again.
The Vikings lead 26-24 after three quarters and Baldwin was starting to rack up the fouls. While the Bruins top two scorers were getting all the focus it allowed guys like Madden and Timberlake step up. Timberlake made a big three, made a clutch stop while Madden went four for four from the line in the fourth. Baldwin sped up the game taking the Vikings a little outside their comfort zone.
Port Washington were letting the Bruins generate easy buckets from pressure and transition. Baldwin scored and took a five point lead with about minutes to go. The Vikings rallied to tie it up with 1:33 left when Baldwin drilled a three, got a stop then made both of their free throws. Port Washington despite their best offensive quarter gave up 21 points. Baldwin beat them for the third time this season by the final of 45-39. Madden lead the Bruins with 14 while Timberlake added 11. Amalfitano had 9 points and fought hard from start to finish.
What’s Next
3/11 At Stony Brook University
2 PM Southside vs Kings Park
4:30 PM Baldwin vs Brentwood
