Blue Waves improved their league record to 3-3, finishing the first half of the season with a decisive 69-45 victory over Centereach last night and positioning themselves for a shot at the playoffs.
After being outscored by the Cougars 13-10 in the first quarter, the Waves went on a tear with a 23-5 second quarter and a 25-14 third.
Tim Clement was the Waves' high scorer with 14 points on the game, followed by Ryan Bitzer and Reggie Moore with 11 points apiece.
Moore's defensive play was key to the Waves' success, head coach John Rossetti said after the game.
"Reggie always brings a lot of effort and energy. He created a lot of turnover and that resulted in a lot of good shots for us," Rossetti said.
Rossetti took the opportunity presented by a 33-18 lead going into the second half to play his bench.
"It's nice to see kids that don't get a chance to play a lot get an opportunity," Rossetti said. The coach was not disappointed. The Waves took a 26-point lead into the final quarter of the game.
Centereach fell to 1-5 with last night's loss. They had one player in double digits, Brandon Imperato, who scored 10.
After a week off, the Waves start the second half at home next Thursday against the Smithtown West Bulls (2-3). The Bulls beat the Waves 77-67 in Smithtown in the teams' first-half matchup Dec. 20.
Next Saturday, Jan. 28, the Waves travel to North Babylon for a 4 p.m. game against the 5-1 Bulldogs, who are at the top of League III. The Bulldogs beat the Waves in Riverhead 67-61 on Jan. 3.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
