A season with high aspirations was cut short Friday night as the Riverhead Blue Waves lost 61-51 in the first round of the Section XI tournament to the Longwood Lions.
After committing three consecutive turnovers to start the game, Riverhead (15-4) dug themselves into a deep hole falling behind 10-0. Every time the Blue Waves scored a point, Longwood had an answer.
The formula was Latrell Washington plus Emmanuel Ferreira.
The duo gave Riverhead no chance of coming back. No matter what the Blue Waves tried to do, they could not come up with crucial stops when they needed them.
Longwood (12-6) totally outplayed Riverhead in the first half but only led 27-20 at the start of the third quarter.
Throughout the season, Riverhead has been a second half team. And early in the third quarter, Riverhead started to show indications of a comeback.
After Longwood turned the ball over for two straight possessions, Riverhead started gaining steam. Seniors Ryan Bitzer (11 pts) and Markim Austin scored on fast-break layups to cut the Lions lead to 29-25. The four point differential was the closest the Blue Waves were the entire game at that point.
Then Washington struck.
Washington rapidly cut through the lane and was fouled as he converted a contested layup. He nailed the free-throw to extend the lead back to seven.
Markim Austin (14 pts) came right back and converted a three-point play of his own. After exchanging baskets, the score was 38-34.
Washington struck again. He connected on a wide-open three point attempt to stretch the lead to seven.
But Riverhead kept fighting. They brought it within three after junior Deon Shorter hit two of three free-throws after getting fouled behind the three-point line. The score was 41-38.
Riverhead was playing zone defense to force Longwood to shoot but decided to switch as it was ineffective.
“They were knocking down shots,” said Riverhead coach John Rossetti. “So we had to go to man to man.”
Washington took the play off and his counterpart inflicted some damage. Ferreira used a screen and found an opening and took it to the basket for a layup. After an empty possession for Riverhead, Ferreira again found an opening for a short jumper to take a seven point lead.
“They spread us out real nicely,” said Rossetti. “And then took advantage of their quickness.”
Riverhead came roaring back. Junior Brandon Tolliver hit two free-throws to bring it to within three, 45-42.
But turnovers crushed Riverhead’s comeback.
Washington and Ferreira kept scoring. The baskets were coming easy for them as they were somehow left open for jump shots.
Riverhead could not respond.
When Washington scored on a three-point attempt with three minutes remaining in the game, Riverhead’s comeback chances were getting very slim as the lead grew to ten points. With 1:50 to go, Washington put the final dagger in the Blue Waves hopes with yet another three-pointer.
“We weren’t expecting their shooters to shoot so well,” said Rossetti. “It definitely ruined our initial game-plan.”
Washington and Ferreira scored 42 of Longwood’s 61 points.
“I am just disappointed,” Rossetti said. “We had higher dreams and aspirations for this season.”
Bitzer, though upset, shared some positive thoughts: “I am really proud of my team, we did something that hasn’t happened in 16 years. We set a goal for ourselves and that was to win the league and make a run in the playoffs but the chips just didn’t fall our way.”
“There is still a lot of talent on the team,” said Bitzer. “I am looking forward to see what they can do next year.”
Brandon Tolliver is among the returnees for next year.
“I need to work on my confidence and physicality,” said Tolliver. “Whatever Coach will ask of me, I will do.”
Rossetti wasn’t ready to start his thought process for next year.
“I need to get this stain out first. The loss hurts. I need to just stay away from the gym for a couple days. Good thing we have a little vacation. I wanted this for the kids, the fans and the community.”
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach, Jr.
{gallery}2013/slideshows/2013_0215_basketball{/gallery}
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.