It was a game with a playoff atmosphere to it, Riverhead going up against rival Walt Whitman in a real barn-burner at Riverhead High School.
Riverhead started strong, controlling the ball, but neither team could manage a point. Whitman was a quick team up and down the court, with Riverhead looking for the holes down low for a basket. Both teams played a solid defense, as well as offense, with Riverhead making key free throws in the first half. Whitman took a 25-18 lead into the locker room at the half.
Riverhead came out for the second half a team on a mission to show Whitman it wouldn’t get an easy win. The Blue Waves clawed their way back from several deficits to finally tie the score in the fourth quarter at 44.
The gym was exploding, as Riverhead took the ball out, and proceeded downcourt only to be fouled. The normally consistent free throw shooters missed key free throws, and with 11 seconds remaining, and Riverhead up by 1 point, 45-44, Whitman’s Danielle Kleet drained a three-point shot from the right side to give Whitman the 47-45 victory over a heartbroken Riverhead squad.
Faith Johnson-DeSilvia led the Waves with 14 points, Kristina Dunn had 11, while Kim Ligon and Kate McCarney each had nine.
Riverhead (10-5 overall, 5-3) travels to Northport (14-3, 9-0) on Tuesday.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by George Faella
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