Phantoms Are No Apparition for Lady Bonackers

By definition a phantom is a ghost that has no physical reality, but the Bayport-Blue Point Phantoms were far from an apparition Wednesday evening. Traveling from to East Hampton, the Phantoms instilled a fear amongst the Lady Bonackers early on.

Prior to the start of the game Coach Jen Ena was enthusiastic about her team playing against their opponent; the Lady Bonackers of East Hampton saying, "we are looking for a win tonight."

After a disappointing 5-point loss against Amityville, the Phantoms stormed the East Hampton High School court with their sights set on nothing less than success. Despite the 12 point lead gained against the Lady Bonackers, the Phantoms fell to East Hampton 38-34.

Bayport-Blue Point played with a quickness and skill level that was sure to be a match for East Hampton. Possession of the ball switched back and forth between the two teams at the start of the game. Regaining and maintaining ownership of the ball, East Hampton scored the first point of the game.

The Phantoms were not about to make it easy for the Bonackers. East Hampton's defense loosened, and without delay, Bayport-Blue Point broke away, heading straight towards the basket where Paige Faherty sank the first shot for the Phantoms. Sparking the competition that was to ensue for the game, the first quarter ended in a back and forth pursuit up and down the court, with East Hampton only leading by 2 points.

Bayport-Blue Point was on top of their game when it came to rebounding East Hampton's attempted shots. High-scorers Cassie Dooley and Christy Thoden contributed 9 points each to their teams final 34 points. East Hampton continuously competed against the speed propelled by the Phantom's but still could not contend with their quick passes to Cassie Dooley. Dooley effortlessly sank 3-point shots, not once, not twice but three times without interference, leaving East Hampton trailing 12-points behind the Phantoms at the half.

The Phamtoms maintained a solid defense, which the Bonackers looked to break from the start of the Phantom's lead. With five seconds left on the shot clock at the end of the third quarter, East Hampton's Indrea Stephens stopped dead in her tracks, put the ball up and scored a basket, putting the Bonackers close, but still trailing behind the Phantoms 23-27.

Tied 29-29 with four minutes remaining in the 4th quarter led both teams into a fury and frenzy of fouls and turnovers. Foul shots culminated the remainder of points for the Phantoms as they ended the game, defeated by the East Hampton Lady Bonackers.

The Phantoms will travel to Smithtown on December 28th, where there is no doubt that they will play with just as much determination. Despite their loss, the Phantoms made a mark for themselves as a competitor within the league. With only 8 girls present to play, Bayport-Blue Point made East Hampton work hard for every point.