Slow Starts For Pierson Basketball Teams

It’s been a tough start to the season for both Pierson boys and girls basketball teams.The boys are 1-2 through their three non-league games, the latest a devastating 37-35 loss at Hampton Bays on Monday night, a game in which they were leading up until the final 12 seconds. A three-pointer by Jaden Ottati tied the game at 35-35 with 25 seconds left, then the Baymen stole the ball and were fouled. Antonio Scotto made the ensuing free throws to give Hampton Bays its first lead of the night that it wouldn’t relinquish.Pierson won its first game of the season, 43-36, at Westhampton Beach on December 5 after having lost its season opener, 70-62, at Shelter Island on December 1. Henry Brooks scored a game-high 20 points in the win at Westhampton Beach. Harry Cowen scored 13 points. Brooks also scored a game-high 31 points in the loss to Shelter Island.The Lady Whalers, as of Tuesday, are still searching for their first victory after dropping their first three non-league games of the season. They lost their season opener, 59-36, at Westhampton Beach on November 29; lost, 68-45, at Sayville on December 3 and lost, 54-34, at Harborfields on December 5. Chastin Giles has led Pierson in scoring in two of its three games thus far, scoring 13 at Westhampton Beach and 18 at Sayville. Celia Barranco led the offense at Harborfields with 18.Both teams start league play this week. After their first home game of the season this Thursday, December 13, against Stony Brook at 5 p.m., the boys will play their first League VII game at Ross the following night at 5:45 p.m. and will return home on Saturday for another non-league game against Port Jefferson at 2 p.m. The girls were scheduled to host Center Moriches in their League VI opener on Wednesday and will play at Hampton Bays Monday, December 17, at 5:45 p.m.