Girls basketball playoffs
No. 7 Riverhead looks to pull upset over No. 2 Commack tonight

Riverhead’s quest for the crown will have to overcome a big roadblock tonight at Commack High School. The No. 7 seed Blue Waves will travel to unfamiliar territory. They’ll face one of the largest schools in  Suffolk County, No. 2 seed Commack for a 5 p.m tip-off.

A win would put Riverhead into the Suffolk County AA playoff bracket semifinals.

Commack will definitely be the best team Riverhead has played all year. A League I team, they only lost one game this season, compiling a 16-1 overall record.

Riverhead, which plays in League III, will need a hot start to avoid falling into a hole that becomes hard to come back from when you’re on an opposing floor. Things can go south quickly. Stakes are higher in the postseason and every basket comes at a premium.

Expect the Blue Waves to try to be out in transition most of the game. They’re a running team and thrive when they come up with big steals. Getting to the line will also be a big key for Riverhead as they’ve proven to be a great free-throw shooting team over the course of the season.

Riverhead head coach Dave Spinella has been watching film on Commack with the girls and has come to one definite conclusion: “They look unassuming until they start playing.”

Spinella said that his team would pose a clear height advantage and could potentially dominate the paint with Dezarae Brown and Sam Dunn but that’s easier said than done.

“They’re a balanced team,” Spinella said. “Tough defensively and physical.”

Commack is led by Jackie DelliSanti who scored 16.7 points per game this season. She’s scored two times more baskets than second leading scorer Leanne Corso so they might not be as balanced as they seem. Shut down DelliSanti and you may have yourself a good chance of winning.

Expect Dunn to have a big game. The Blue Waves will need every bit of her energy tonight.

There’s a $4 admission at the door.