The Riverhead Blue Waves (11-2, 14-3) come from behind to beat Smithtown West (10-3, 13-4) by one point and capture the League III title for the first time in 16 years. Photo slideshow and video.
League III — you have your champion.
For the first time in 16 years, the Riverhead Blue Waves (11-2, 14-3) have been crowned League III champs.
In a thrilling 72-71 victory over the Smithtown West Bulls (10-3, 13-4) Tuesday night at home, Riverhead proved why they are a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.
Plagued by turnovers, Riverhead faced a 10-point deficit coming into the second half. Bad decisions and miscommunication gave way to easy fast-break layups. Smithtown West was scoring with ease, shooting 71 percent from the field. Riverhead looked devastated.
“We’ve been a resilient team all year,” said Riverhead coach John Rossetti. “We have been out performing every team in the third quarter.”
A flat Blue Waves team turned dominant as they began to chip away at the lead.
After a steal, senior Ryan Bitzer cut through the the transitioning Bulls defense forcing a cluster of defenders to form in the paint. As he went up for the layup, he changed his mind mid-flight finding a wide-open Markim Austin in the corner for three points cutting the lead to just four, five minutes into the third quarter. Riverhead started the third quarter on a 19-5 run.
The Bulls’ starting point guard Ryan Hickey — the league leader in points per game with 21.1 — began to feel the touch from the outside. He could not miss. It didn’t matter where he was shooting it; in the paint, mid-range, or even five feet behind the three point line, the ball would just go into the basket.
Smithtown kept hitting shots refusing to give up the lead. Riverhead was down 57-55 heading into the fourth quarter.
“The game plan was to contain Ryan Hickey,” Rossetti said. “He has the ability to take over a game himself.”
Riverhead began to trap Hickey in awkward positions on the court forcing him to commit a few turnovers. The Blue Waves took full advantage.
Bitzer, who suffered a minor injury to his leg early in the game, started to catch fire. He forced turnovers leading to fast-break layups and before you knew it, Riverhead took a 58-57 lead. Bitzer then hit a clutch three-pointer extending the lead to 61-57.
Bitzer led the team with six assists to go along with 14 points.
The lead stretched to seven after senior Markim Austin connected on a three-pointer followed by a fast-break bring-the-house-down dunk.
“I was playing on pure adrenaline today,” said Austin. “We had to win.”
After a slow first half, Austin finished with 20 points.
“When your shot is not falling, you have to drive to the basket and get to the free-throw line,” Austin said.
With 49 seconds left in the game, Smithtown West had the ball, down by three points. Hickey found a slightly open Mike Baiardi (23 points) in the corner. With Austin closing in, Baiardi attempted to tie the game with a three. As soon as it left his hands, the ball was swatted by Austin, sending the ball into the stands.
That was the last time Hickey would pass the ball.
He hoisted up a three-pointer and was fouled, sending him to the free-throw line for three shots. He missed the first. Then the second. Then the third.
Austin hauled in the rebound with 35 seconds to go and was immediately fouled.
Austin took his time at the line. He wiped the sweat off of his forehead. It was a one-and-one free-throw situation so he had to hit the first in order to get a second shot.
The first went in. So did the second.
Riverhead was now ahead, 72-67.
After a Smithtown West timeout, it was clear who was going to take the shot for the Bulls. Hickey got some open space and let a three-pointer fly. Nothing but net — plus a free-throw attempt as he was hit during the shot.
This time, Hickey hit the free-throw. Riverhead’s lead was shaved to just one.
After an empty possession for Riverhead, the Bulls got back to the line for two shots. This time, Bill Behrens would take the crucial free-throw attempts. They were in a position to take the lead.
He missed the first. Then the second.
Kudos to the Riverhead fans.
But Smithtown West got the rebound. Hickey got the ball and saw an opening. Without hesitation, he took it straight to the basket in hopes of winning the game. A quick-thinking Austin, with 11 seconds left in regulation, made the decision to set his feet and block the lane causing Hickey to crash right into him.
The whistle blew. Offensive charge was the call. The crowd erupted. Austin was bombarded with hugs.
The game ended on a long outlet pass down the court to a sprinting Brandon Tolliver. He was able to dribble and run out the remaining :2.7 on the clock.
League champs! How does it feel?
“Feels unbelievable,” said Austin.
“My mind is racing right now,” said Tolliver. “I can’t believe it.”
“I just love this team,” said Bitzer. “Anyone is capable of stepping up.”
“We wanted to bring a championship to the community,” said Rossetti. “I am glad we did what we needed to do.”
Riverhead faces North Babylon (9-4, 11-5) in the season finale Thursday at home. Game time: 5:45 p.m.
“We still need to finish the job,” said Rossetti. “I don’t want to share this championship with anyone.”
Check back later this morning for exclusive game action video.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
Click thumbnails to enlarge images
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