Girls basketball: Behind Brown’s 23, Riverhead defeats Huntington, 59-57 to start 2-0 in the league

Riverhead head coach Dave Spinella had the game circled on his schedule as soon as it was created.

December 17th: Riverhead vs. Huntington.

“This was simply a team we had to beat if we wanted to make a run at this thing,” Spinella said.

The game lived up to every expectation as it went back and forth for a full four quarters and came down to the final seconds before Riverhead (2-0 League III, 3-2 overall) buckled down and eked out a 59-57 victory at Riverhead High School on Thursday.

Leading the way was 6-foot-1 forward Dezarae Brown who posted a career-high in points scored with 23. She was active on the boards with 10 rebounds but also came away with a game-high four steals.

“I had to pick up my game,” Brown said. “We really needed this win and I did everything I could.”

A big thanks should be given to her point guard, Faith Johnson-Desilvia as she darted through the lane, breaking ankles at will, oftentimes finding Brown after the defense converged on her for an easy bucket.

“I don’t know how she does it,” Brown said. “But I’m glad she does.”

Johnson-Desilvia recorded nine assists in limited minutes because of foul trouble. But when she’s in the game, Spinella calls her “instant offense.” The game just changes when she has the ball in her hands.

Sam Dunn was her usual self, posting a double-double as the opponents tried to double her every chance they got. She scored 15 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked three shots. She also came away with a crucial steal in the last few seconds before going to the free-throw line and extending the lead to two points for Huntington’s final possession.

“This is why we do this,” Spinella said. “For games like these. We knew it was going to be a battle.

The great thing about this team is that anyone is capable of doing something extra. Take Mary Reiter for example. The McGann-Mercy transfer was in the starting lineup and played great defense. She hit a number of clutch buckets and seems to be fitting right in.

“It’s somebody else stepping up each game,” Spinella said. “I’m just so proud of them.”

Riverhead will travel to North Babylon on Monday for a 4 p.m tip.

RiverheadLOCAL photos by George Faella