Boys basketball: Riverhead loses back to back after starting the league season 3-0

To put it in Riverhead head coach John Rossetti’s words, the Blue Waves got the short end of the stick Thursday at Smithtown West High School.

To be more specific: the officiating was inconsistent.

Even as the calls didn’t go their way, the Blue Waves battled. Even as drums were played while a Blue Waves player took a free throw, they battled. Even as Rossetti was called for a technical because he simply placed his hands at his hips, they battled.

Unfortunately even as Tyrese Kerr put up a monster game, scoring 24 points and hauling in 14 rebounds, it just wasn’t enough to overcome the adversity as the Bulls defeated the Blue Waves, 57-46.

Smithtown West (4-1 League III, 5-2 overall) held the lead the entire game. They extended their lead to as much as 12 points but the Blue Waves continued to chip away. The lead got down to five points in the fourth quarter before the aforementioned obstacles became prevalent.

Then Kerr fouled out with three minutes remaining shortly after being substituted in. The move raised questions whether Kerr should’ve spent more time on the bench.

“Tyrese was the only one really scoring,” Rossetti said. “You’re down by six there and you don’t want to wait until they lead by 12. You have to go for the win at that point.”

Back to back losses has dropped Riverhead’s league record to 3-2. They also lost two games in a holiday tournament.

“It feels like we haven’t played at home in forever,” Rossetti said. “It’s time for a little home cooking of our own.”

Malik Washington scored eight points and Sharron Trent added five.

The Blue Waves will host Centereach on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

RiverheadLOCAL photos by George Faella