The crowds double, the gym is electric, and the intensity is tangible. The Suffolk County basketball playoffs are finally here and we are definitely excited!
Gymnasiums all over the county will be packed the next few weeks as Section XI just released the playoff brackets for both boys and girls. The seeds and matchups are scheduled according to league standings and power rankings. The higher seed in the matchup gets home court advantage, which every team wants of course. These games are “one and done,” lose and go home, do or die. That turns the volume and urgency inside the gym up a few notches.
Amongst the many exciting games this week, there’s one that stands out for sure. It’s a community and district that was divided in two. That divide has formed one of the greatest rivalries in the county. Expect an absolute electric atmosphere and a game that could come down to the last few possessions in the fourth quarter. Eighth seeded Sachem East hosts ninth seeded Sachem North in a first-round clash in the AAA bracket, Thursday the 12th at 5pm. The winner of this game will move on to face the top-seeded team in this bracket, the William Floyd Colonials at Floyd on February 19th at noon.
The sixth seeded Ward Melville heads over to Bay Shore to try to take down a fast and furious, third seeded Bay Shore team. Bay Shore is a tough squad with height, speed, and one of the best guards on the island, Cory Faines. The Patriots will have to stop Faines to pull off an upset. This game is also Thursday the 12th.
Bayport-Blue Point is heading over to Wyandanch to face one of the hottest teams on the island right now. Wyandanch has gotten noticeably better all season. Can the Wyandanch Wolves play a composed four quarters with good possessions and shot choices? Or will Bayport defense wear down a Wyandanch team that usually comes out of the gate fast?
Center Moriches also has a tremendous task of traveling out west to Amityville. Amityville also has arguably the island’s most well-rounded baller, Amir Dickerson. Amityville has experience on their side while Center Moriches has some young players like the Whitty brothers that can easily come up with a few defensive stops and a ten-point run. This will be an exciting one!
Each game requires a ticket that sounds on the section XI website by Gofan. Check back next week for scores and round two action.
