BOYS BASKETBALL>> HARBORFIELDS 63, HILLS WEST 68
Photo Finish For Colts Over Tornadoes
Fourth quarter offensive burst before buzzer earns victory in neck-and-neck game
By Sara-Megan Walsh/swalsh@longislandernews.com

It was a hometown battle of David versus Goliath on the courts that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. The Half Hollow Hills West Colts were pressed hard by the Harborfields Tornadoes, but ultimately stood their ground to win their first Suffolk County Section XI Championship title.

Hills West’s boys basketball team, Suffolk’s large school champions, beat Harborfields, the small school champions, 68-63 at Farmingdale University on March 6.

Momentum on the court frequently shifted back and forth as the Tornadoes’ close teamwork challenged Hills West’s defense while the Colts’ leading players, senior Tobias Harris and Aaron McCree, watched helplessly from the bench – both injured in their victory over Longwood. It came down to the last 4 minutes, when the Colts had the strength to give one last offensive push.

“We’re two good teams, they were both going to make runs during the game. We finished the game on a run, we ended strong and that’s what I look for from the team,” said Hills West coach Bill Mitaritonna.

It’s that endurance and timing that has lead Hills West to win 23 consecutive games.
“We put pressure on the other team to a point they get tired, make poor decisions and we’re able to take advantage at the end,” Mitaritonna said.

The Colts started strong out of the gate, as the championship match appeared it might become a blow-out. Emile Blackman led Hills West on a 9-point hot streak, scoring 2 baskets and making 3 foul shots within a minute.

Junior Tyler Harris spurred on a second offensive run for the Colts with a 3-pointer, helping lead Hills West to a 22-8 edge by the end of the first quarter.

“We got off to a quick start, then we got into foul troubles,” the coach said. “We allowed the other team to get back into the game. That gave them the confidence for the third quarter.”

Harborfields took longer to get warmed up, but came back with a vengeance in the second quarter. The period looked like a battle early on, until Tornadoes junior forward Matt McLeod scored a basket on a rebound. That started a 14-point run, leading the visitors on top 32-30 by halftime. Spectators were nearly celebratory, cheering their team off the court into the locker room as the Colts had to regroup.
“We came out hard in the second half. It was the only way to win the game,” Tyler Harris said.

The battle returned in the third quarter as Harborfields relied on the teamwork of McLeod, Matt Curry and Nick Fessenden to keep up with the offensive skills of Hills’ Tevon Sledge. He was the lead scorer for the Colts, scoring 34 points during the match. Harborfields appeared to maintain the momentum from the first half, as it rallied with a 10-point offensive run to narrowly claimed the frame, 16-15.

“I think in the fourth quarter, we realized ‘This is our game. We’re going to win this game. We’ve come this far’,” Mitaritonna said, noting how the Tornadoes’ defense diminished as they focused on scoring. “Our guys took over offensively which caused turnovers that lead to points.”

Sledge scored 4 baskets and with Harris, adding 2 baskets of his own, they racked up 14 points for the Colts in the first-half of the fourth quarter that would prove insurmountable.

Harborfields’ McLeod and sophomore point guard Lucas Woodhouse scored back-to-back 3-pointers, but it was too late. Hills West held onto a narrow 5-point lead for the win.
“We’re a really good team. They’re a very good team. I think the better team came out on top today,” said Harborfields coach Christopher Agostino.

Hills West will take on Nassau County Class AA champion Uniondale in the state playoffs at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Hofstra University. Harborfields is scheduled to play Class A champion Westbury at 1 p.m. on the same court. Tickets for each game are $7.