Pierson Hoops Teams Clinch Playoff Berths

When Pierson boys basketball head coach Dan White looked at his bench before the end of the first half in a home game against Smithtown Christian on Friday, he had reason to be worried, despite the fact that the Knights are one of the weaker teams in League VIII. Starter Forrest Loesch was absent, suffering from a high fever, while leading scorer Pat Sloane was sick as well and had come out of the game in the first quarter. Guard Jackson Marienfeld was inactive with a high ankle sprain and fellow guard Ian Barrett was sidelined with foul trouble.

With only two starters—forward Sam Miller and guard Joey Butts—on the floor, White was unsure of his team’s chances. But Miller and Butts stepped up in a big way, leading Pierson to... more