Riverhead’s girls basketball season has come to an end. The Flaming Arrows were just too hot.
Sachem East emerged as victors Wednesday night over the Riverhead Blue Waves 63-38 in the Section XI AA playoff quarterfinal, improving their home-court record to 10-0.
The Flaming Arrows (16-1) came out on fire hitting shots left and right putting the Waves in an early hole. Sachem East junior Katie Doherty could not miss. She had no problem finagling through the Blue Wave defense. As she drove to the lane, she constantly made the correct choice on whether to dish the ball or score. Doherty ended up scoring a game-high 21 points.
“Katie took what the defense gave to her,” said Sachem East coach Matt Brisson. “She can score from the inside and outside.”
Sachem East took and made an abundance of open three-point shots that destroyed Riverhead’s comeback chances.
“As the game unfolds, you get to see what shots are available,” said Brisson. “The three-point shot was available so we had to take it.”
The Flaming Arrows also received 16 points from junior Kathleen Everson who took advantage of her size and hauled in rebounds on both sides of the court.
“These girls have been playing together a long, long time,” said Brisson.
Everson and Doherty have been on the Varsity team since 8th grade. Seniors Allie and Sammy Drake who combined for 15 points have been on the team since 9th grade.
“They have been playing together long before high school.”
Everson’s father, Chuck Everson, coached the girls since they were as young as eight years old. The 7’1 center played for Villanova in college and then for the Utah Jazz in the NBA.
“This winning culture has been bred into them as they were young kids,” Brisson said. “It’s really fun to coach kids that really love to play the game.”
No. 2 Sachem East advances to the semifinal round where they will play No. 3 Walt Whitman Saturday night at St. Joseph’s college. Walt Whitman defeated No. 11 Bellport Wednesday night 57-49.
“When you lose, you want to go out playing your best basketball,” said Brisson. “I think our best basketball is still in front of us.”
Riverhead (12-8) gave it all they could but it just wasn’t enough.
Shanice Allen scored 14 to finish her Varsity career with a record 1,414 points.
“It was a great season,” said Allen. “Couldn’t have asked for a better senior year.”
“I love my team and I can’t thank them enough for all the hard work and effort they put forth. It stinks to go out with a loss but I like looking on the bright side. Last year we lost a lot of players but we still managed to get a home playoff game and make it to the second round. No one thought we would go this far and we did.”
Senior Naysha Trent, who scored 7 points, reiterated the same message.
“We accomplished more than what was expected of us,” said Trent. “I am really proud of my team.”
Trent, who had to overcome a myriad of injuries throughout her career had no regrets.
“It was all worth it,” said Trent. “Every time I got injured, I didn’t worry about anything else but to get back on the court.”
The loss hurt but Allen kept everything positive.
“I will keep this as a little chip on my shoulder. Life is full of ups and downs. You win some and you lose some. You can’t let it hold you back, you have to go forward and use the downs to your advantage.”
Allen will take her talents to Pace University next year.
“Now I just have to focus on college ball. It is time to prepare for the next level.”
Sachem East’s Brisson had nothing but praise for Riverhead’s head coach Dave Spinella.
“Spin does a great job. Those kids are so athletic. It’s a great culture over there. They’ll definitely be back.”
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach Jr.
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