The Blue Waves are one victory away from the boys basketball playoffs.
The boys defeated Newfield Tuesday night 47-37, improving their record to 5-4 in league play and 7-8 overall.
The Waves struggled without Tim Clement, who was injured in a collision with teammate Reggie Moore in Saturday's game. Clement had one tooth knocked out and damaged a second tooth in the mishap. He said he was under doctor's orders to sit out last night's game, to allow his teeth to bond. Clement hopes to return to the court for the team's next game on Thursday.
Ryan Bitzer was the Wave's high scorer with 16 points. Bitzer said after the game he was having a hard time getting into his groove, so he started to set up his teammates for shots. He said they are going to have to start knocking down some shots if they are going to beat Smithtown East in their next game.
"It was a hard-fought game, no doubt about it," Coach John Rossetti said after it was over. "The boys had to step it up with Clements out," Rossetti said. "Any time you lose a starter, you're going to feel it," Rossetti said. "It's nice to see the other players step it up."
The Waves continued to be inconsistent with their free throws, the coach said. They went nine for 20 last night. "That's one of the things we'll be working on before heading to Smithtown," Rossetti said.
The boys now have three more chances to win the one game needed to secure a playoff berth. They've already beaten two of the last three teams they'll face. The Waves travel to Smithtown to face the Smithtown East Bulldogs (6-2) in Smithtown on Thursday (4 p.m. start.) The Waves beat the Bulldogs in a two-point contest Jan. 10. Then they host the first-place East Islip Redmen (8-1) on Feb. 9, before going on the road for their final regular season game against Centereach (1-7) Feb. 14.
Meanwhile, the girls continue cruise to post-season
The girls varsity team continues to dominate the court — home and away. With a 65-24 rout over Newfield (0-8) in Selden Tuesday night, the Waves remain undefeated in league play at 9-0, and are 14-1 overall. They host Smithtown East (26, 2-12) on Thursday, travel to East Islip (4-5, 8-7) on Feb. 9, and then wrap things up at home on Feb. 14 against Centereach (3-5, 8-6.)
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
