The Underdogs Keep Rolling

I missed last week’s deadline, so I’m glad to be back and hope all is well with everyone. A lot has happened in the past couple of weeks. We lost to Wyandanch by two, which really hit us hard because it also sealed the top spot in League VII to Southampton, one of our biggest rivalries. But, our last league game we were up against Southampton and though we were playing for the second seed, our rivalry and senior night helped pack the gym. I have never not been able to hear my coach calling out plays, but because of how electric it was in the gym, I had a hard time hearing Coach Meehan. After each block, steal or basket a roar went up from the stands for both teams. We took the lead and ended up winning by 10 after a game delay due to a problem in the stands. People were kind of out of control and were very emotional about the game and then it got carried away. Coach brought us into the locker room so we wouldn’t get distracted by all of it; we needed to stay focused. It was a huge win because they had beat us the first time we played and they were the only team we hadn’t beaten at least once in our league. The rivalry again helped us raise the bar and we came out tenacious and playing hard. On the court they would over pressure me and leave my teammates open which helped us capitalize on layups.

Our team is really coming together and we are giving it our all, with every player contributing. Harry Fotopoulos is a critical part of our defense, being loud and guarding the big force on the other team who is usually bigger then him, but he is a tough kid and can handle it. Another junior starter, Luke Gustafson, is a loose cannon (in the good sense!) and he has learned to use his energy positively and become more of a composed player which has really helped us. Another junior, Justin Carbone, our point guard, has really stepped up. He is continuing to surprise many teams with his shot and the thing that makes him different is he can put it on the floor and go by you also. The last starter for our first playoff game against Babylon is center and senior Danny Martel. He will have a huge role guarding their big man, Adrian Sullivan. With Perry Friscia on college visits, Martel belongs on the court. His knowledge of the game is as high as the best and I feel he can take care of any other center from opposing teams. Danny and I have been playing together since third grade and it will be a great feeling looking up the court and seeing him playing with me like the old days. If we beat Babylon on Monday we play the winner of Southampton vs. Center Moriches on Wednesday night. Good luck to all my Kendall Madison Playaz teammates, and remember what Coach Nick says, “No Opportunity Wasted!”

The Lady Baymen also have made the playoffs and now are in the championship game. Led by 1,000-point scorer Theresa Carey, I feel they can bring a banner home for the Baymen. Go get ‘em girls!

We have been underdogs the whole season, though we stayed in first or second place in the league, and we proved that working hard every day works. Our coach, Pete Meehan, and assistant coach, John Paga, would always push and break things down for us and encourage us. They deserve to win as much as the rest of the team. I feel all of us help push each other in practice and in games and I am looking forward to hopefully playing more than just one playoff game. Your support counts, so come cheer Hampton Bays on. Go Baymen!