Despite an eight-point run late in the fourth quarter to cut a 12-point deficit down to four, the Rocky Point varsity girls basketball team couldn’t break Sayville’s press in the final minute and fell to the Golden Flashes, 41-33.
Both teams were looking for their first victory in League V, and after a disappointing first half, the Eagles (0-5, 1-9) found themselves facing a 24-13 deficit.
Reagan Lynch found the hot hand in the third quarter when she scored all seven of her points. Ninth grader Annie Kennedy, the Eagles’ leading scorer with 15, hit a big three after an offensive rebound to bring the Eagles within four. In the final minute Sayville’s (1-5, 4-8) full-court press shut down the Eagles, however, as they were able to score just two more points in the loss.
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“Too many mental errors, not being in the right positions,” said coach Robert Kiernan of the loss. “We played much better in the second half, but we missed shots in the first half. I think we were 5-20 in the first half. You have to put the ball in the basket. Breaking the press shouldn’t be a problem. They have to look to do that by passing the ball not by dribbling, so those are things we have to work on.”
Shannon Grodotzke had seven points as the Eagles let a golden opportunity for their first league win slip away with turnover after turnover in the final minute caused by Sayville’s press.
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Kennedy, a freshman point guard, scored double digits for the third straight game. She has taken on the role of running the offense in her first year and coach Kiernan is certainly happy to have her for the next three years.
“She’s a point guard and is only in ninth grade which I have to keep reminding myself,” Kiernan said. “I ask her to guard the other team's best player, bring up the ball and run the offense. It’s a lot, really more than she should be asked to do. I’ve got a young team and there’s not a lot of help."
The Eagles will continue their search for their first League V win against Eastport-South Manor on at 4p.m. Tuesday.
“The losing gets old,” Kiernan said. “We’ll keep showing up for every game, try and get better and try to get another ‘W’ somewhere.”
