BOYS BASKETBALL>> BAYPORT 56, HARBORFIELDS 69
Tornadoes Claim More Victims
States still in sight for first-time Class A Champions with Long Island title up for grabs
By Mike Koehler/mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Harborfields’ boys basketball team broke school history, but nobody’s ready to celebrate just yet.

Top-seed Harborfields held off the fifth-seeded Islip Buccaneers on Feb. 24 and vanquished the second-seed Bayport-Blue Point Phantoms on Sunday to clinch the Class A Championship.

“This is the first one ever,” coach Christopher Agostino said, anxious to talk more about the games.

The Tornadoes continued their hot play over Islip in a very physical 65-58 win. Agostino said they came out on top because they played with effort, but it was no secret that both teams were very aggressive. The last few minutes in the first half alone dragged on as each team sent the other to the foul line.
“Those are games we love,” the coach said.

The players’ energy also rubbed off on spectators, filling the bleachers on both sides of the court. Many stood, yelling at each other as the game went along.
Senior forward Matt Curry carried Harborfields in a 34-27 first half. Curry scored 22 of his 26 points in the first two quarters alone. That edge would give the Tornadoes the win, as the Buccaneers rallied in the second half with each team scoring 31 points.

“He was able to create some shots on his effort,” Agostino said.

Sophomore point guard Lucas Woodhouse sunk 13 points and junior forward Nick Fessenden scored 10 points.

“They played some gimmick defense on us and we did a great job,” Agostino said. “We did a good job just getting the ball to the open guys.”

The coach also said that Bayport-Blue Point definitely earned the right to be a top-seed, and the box score reveals that the 69-56 victory was actually much closer for most of the game. In fact, neither team outscored the other by more than 3 points in each of the first three quarters. Harborfields finally broke the game open with a 29-16 fourth quarter.

As with all late playoff games, Sunday’s contest was played at a neutral site – Farmingdale State College. Agostino said his team noticed the different location, but was prepared to win anywhere.

Unfortunately for Tornadoes fans, his offense did not have another powerhouse game. Harborfields had some trouble finding open shots, especially jump shots, against the Phantoms.

“The best thing was going to the basket, so that’s what we did,” the coach said.
Harborfields’ defense was top notch in the win, helping the offense along the way. As the players boxed out, stole and rebounded loose balls, they forced more open shots.

Curry ended the game with just 9 points due to foul trouble, but Fessenden led the Tornadoes with 23 points as junior guard Matt McLeod scored 17 points of his own.

“They both played like warriors,” Agostino said.

Now Class A champions, Harborfields’ postseason is hardly over. The Tornadoes were scheduled to play Class B champion Wyandanch at Farmingdale State College for the Small School title on March 3. The winner of that game will play the winner of the Hills West and Longwood game for the Section XI title.

Harborfields has also earned the right to play for the Long Island Class A title. While the Nassau team will not be decided until March 6, Agostino said the Tornadoes are still preparing to compete in the state tournament.