Section XI Conference Playoffs

<p>The usual year sees any team that finishes at .500 in their league makes the playoffs. Consisting anywhere from a 15-19 team tournament (one and done). The winner would then face the Nassau champion. To go to the state tournament.  But not this year. The playoff system this year, the top two finishes in each league made the playoffs (league 1plays league 2) (League 3 plays league 4,) (league 5 vs league 6) (league 7 vs league 8) all for a conference championship. In one weekend you will have four conference champions. Let’s recap this crazy weekend of games. Basically 24 hours of hoops to declare 4 conference champions. Check back tomorrow for who won their conference championship.</p> <p><strong>League 1/2 Semi-final</strong></p> <p>A favorite to win the Long Island championship and go upstate this year would have been <strong>Brentwood.</strong> Even after losing key players to graduation. Brentwood still had the best player on the Island and that was enough in the semi-final game vs <strong>Commack. [player_tooltip player_id="1132413" first="Jordan" last="Riley"] </strong>had 33 in leading Brentwood. He did it as usual in all different ways. <strong>Billy Lucate </strong>added 19 points and 15 rebounds. <strong>Isiah Randolph </strong>did what he always does stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points 5 assists and 6 rebounds. </p> <p><strong>Northport </strong>is up next for Brentwood after defeating <strong>Ward </strong><strong>Melville</strong> 45-32. <strong>Pat Healey </strong>had 15 for the winners.  His mid-range game was excellent getting into the lane and pulling up. They outscored them 31-14 in the second half thanks to the hot hand of <strong>Jake Santamaria</strong><strong> </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1047336" first="Nick" last="Watts"] </strong>work on the boards. Nick showed off his skill inside scoring around the rim<strong>.</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>League 3/4 Semi-final</strong></p> <p>In the first game of the day <strong>Half Hollow Hills East </strong>got off to a quick start, forcing turnovers and converting in transition. But a young talented <strong>Bellport</strong> team did not go away. Outscoring Hills East  9-2 to start the third quarter.  East got points when they needed it from the talented smooth unflappable guard<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="1136572" first="Xavier" last="Lewis"]. </strong>He excelled in transition and showed off his exceptional pull-up game. <strong>Leisaan Hibbert </strong>showed off his football instincts with a nose for the ball. He rebounded everything in sight and was tough to stop going to the rim.<strong> Louis Mathurin </strong>was a force underneath with strong drives and finishing through contact. Senior <strong>Danny Walls </strong>in only his second game this year displayed a presence in the middle and he used his leaping ability and timing to snare rebounds. <strong>Bellport </strong>was led by <strong>Samir Bell</strong> with 24.  A very strong player going to the basket. Also knocked down a couple of threes.</p> <p><strong>Smithtown West </strong>beat a young but extremely talented <strong>Deer Park </strong>team. It was close early. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1045781" first="Patrick" last="Burke"] </strong>led them early with tremendous footwork, and an old school turn and face jumper. Real good back-to-the-basket player. <strong>Tyler Anderson </strong>was able to get into the lane and finish or set up guys for easy  baskets. He is very strong with the ball.<strong> Joey Mitchell can</strong> score in bunches off the three-ball. The future is bright for <strong>Deer Park </strong>their freshman <strong>Preston Edmead </strong>was able to get into the lane or out on the break. He was tough to stop at times and has the ability to draw fouls. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1045741" first="Anthony" last="Daley"] </strong>sophomore has unlimited range. Both players are poised and highly skilled already.<span id="more-1140502"></span><!--more--></p> <p><strong>League 5/6.  Semi-final</strong></p> <p><strong>Half Hollow Hills West</strong> a team that a lot of people felt could make a run at a Suffolk championship beat <strong>Mount Sinai </strong>88-67. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1047768" first="Colby" last="Jordan"] </strong>scored in a variety of ways. Showing off his arsenal his 22 led the West squad. But they are a full team. [player_tooltip player_id="1047750" first="Brent" last="Bland"] had twenty showing unlimited range and <strong>Frank Wilson </strong>is a workhorse inside he is able to score around the rim. Young guard <strong>Derek Shecter </strong>a skilled point guard weaved his way to the basket and made some nice plays finding teammates for Mount Sinai.</p> <p><strong>Kings Park </strong>now sets their sights on West. With a 61-45 victory over <strong>Amityville. Kings Park </strong>has a different guy step up each game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1047861" first="Jack" last="Garside"] </strong>and <strong>Nick Svolos </strong>combined for 38 points. Nick showed off his unlimited range and Jack was able to get into the lane and get off his exceptional mid range jumper.<!--more--></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>League 7/8. Semi-final</strong></p> <p><strong>Center Moriches</strong> was led by one of the best post players in the county <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1047852" first="Jaden" last="Kealey"] </strong>a double double machine he had 19pts and 11 rebounds. He does it around the rim but he also runs the floor really well. <strong>Sir Brown </strong>had his shot going today. He drained three from beyond the arc. The lefty also dished out 4 assists.</p> <p><strong>Shoreham Wading River </strong>might be the new guy on the block but don’t underestimate their talent.A well coached team with plenty of weapons. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1047765" first="Tristan" last="Costello"] </strong>had 17 points. Not only was he tough going to the rim but he hit a big three to extend the lead and they never looked back. He finishes at the rim with either hand. <strong>Joey Dwyer </strong>did the job inside getting 14 points and 13 rebounds. <strong>Thomas Bell </strong>seemed to play a part in every phase of the game with his 12 points 5 rebounds and  5 assists while still coming away with 4  steals. <strong>Luke Woods</strong> for Mattituck once again played with skill and poise has he led all scorers with 21. He is a true scoring point guard who changes games with either his scoring or his passing. <strong>Rashad Lawson </strong>added 15 points doing it with put backs and also had some nice post moves to score.</p> <p>Sunday Schedule </p> <p>Northport vs Brentwood</p> <p>Smithtown West vs Half Hollow Hills East</p> <p>Kings Park vs Half Hollow Hills West</p> <p>Shoreham Wading River vs Center Moriches</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>