Balanced Attack Puts Westhampton Beach Boys Basketball One Win Away From Playoff Berth

The Westhampton Beach boys basketball team has shown it works well under pressure. The Hurricanes have had to win out to earn a playoff spot, and with their backs against the wall, did it again Monday with a commanding 61-40 win over East Islip to put themselves a win away from achieving their goal.

“Knowing that if we lose our season is over has definitely motivated us this past week,” said senior Christian Killoran, who finished the game with a team-high 15 points. “I think we played good team basketball. It was a great atmosphere.”

It was senior night for Killoran and many of his teammates, none of whom, along with head coach Tim McDermott, have yet to make the playoffs. The Hurricanes travel to crosstown rival Eastport-South Manor, which Westhampton beat 91-62 back on January 14, Tuesday night for that postseason spot.

“I challenged the boys, and they answered that challenge. They came out and played an overall outstanding game tonight,” McDermott said. “I think when this team settles down and plays the way that they know how and they execute our game plan, they’re really good. We’ve had a lot of really good wins this season where they lock in and focus and play the way I know they’re capable of.”

The boys led a balanced attack, with four players scoring in double digits. They played unselfishly, passing to the open man for easy buckets, and guarding tightly, forcing East Islip to take off-balance shots and pass the ball out of bounds.

A Jorden Bennett block, Andrew Mensch-to-Killoran field goal, Dominick White three-pointer and White-to-Bennett feed put the Hurricanes out front 7-0, forcing East Islip to call timeout, but the regrouping helped the opponents, which went on a 6-0 tare before Killoran made his way around defenders while driving lane to score with 55 seconds left in the first quarter.

“I thought I drove to the basket well,” Killoran said. “That’s my main strength, and tonight it really showed.”

But East Islip was able to draw a ton of fouls to score nine of its first 13 points from the charity stripe, even securing two more before the break, which Westhampton went into with a 23-19 lead. But the third quarter is where the Hurricanes shined, outscoring East Islip 27-13. Back-to-back White (13 points) and Nick Waszkelewicz three-pointers gave Westhampton a 10-point advantage, and back-to-back Killoran buckets driving the baseline before a Waszkelewicz three-point play helped the Hurricanes bounce out front 45-29.

Quinn McCormack tacked on a free throw, Bennett (12 points) hit a layup and Killoran found White in transition for a 50-32 lead after 24 minutes of play.

“Christian’s been playing great for us,” McDermott said, adding his senior has locked in on defense and guarded opponent’s top scorers in each of the last five games. “He’s honed in on his defense and made that a priority, but the last few games he’s shown what he can do offensively, too. He’s an aggressive kid who attacks the basket hard, grabs rebounds and putbacks, and stays with it — he doesn’t give up. He’s a physical player and he’s been huge for us the last two games.”

Killoran also pointed to Bennett, a freshman, who went from playing little-to-no minutes to putting up double-digit point totals the past couple of games. Bennett has had to step up with the loss of senior Owen Spizuoco, who injured his leg during practice. Unfortunately, Mensch also suffered an ankle injury during the February 7 game. Waszkelewicz (11 points) said there’s been a lot to play for.

“Ever since we got our last possible loss to still make playoffs we have definitely been playing harder and better, and with Owen being out it gives us even more motivation to go out there and play hard for him and the win,” said the senior point guard, who has been on the varsity team for three seasons. “Making it to the postseason would mean everything.”

Killoran said a spot would be thrilling for his coach, too.

“He puts in a countless amount of time into our team and I know it would mean the world to make the playoffs for the first time since he’s started coaching,” he added.

McDermott said he’s had to remind himself his student-athletes are high school kids and not professional basketball players, so the expectation to be consistent on a day-to-day basis is not always the case, but added they’re continuing to rise to the occasion.

“I’ve been emphasizing one game at a time,” the coach said. “This is what you play for. To think that on the last day of the season you’re playing your local rival for a playoff berth is a pretty cool thing. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of time to get ready, but we’ve seen them, and that’s the game I felt we looked at our best this season, which, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re guaranteed to do that the second time around, but I think the boys understand the magnitude of what’s at stake.”

His boys said they’ll be ready Tuesday.

“I feel confident,” Killoran said. “I know that they are a good team, but I also know that we are better, and it’s going show once again tomorrow.”