Sayville Loses Focus, and Game

Less than two minutes into the third quarter on Jan. 28, the Sayville boys basketball team found themselves up 32 – 16 against League V rival Islip. In a game Sayville needed in order to have any chance at making the playoffs, things were looking promising.

But quickly, the situation turned and looked, well, rather fuzzy for the Golden Flashes. Or, in coach Lou Lowe’s words, things looked out of “focus.”

Islip’s John Horowitz found his range in the second half, scoring 10 of his team’s next 20 points as the Buccaneers went on a 20 – 6 run en route to a 59 – 52 win. The loss officially eliminates Sayville (1-6, 5-9 overall) from a chance at the playoffs, while ensuring a postseason appearance for the Buccaneers (6-2, 10-4).

“Our main focus was to treat [Horowitz] as a deadly outside shooter,” Lowe said. “We did a good job against him in the first half, but we took it for granted in the second half and lost focus.”

Held to just a single point in the first half, Horowitz erupted for 23 in the second, including five three pointers—many from well beyond the three-point arch.

“He’s got incredible range,” Islip coach Jamie Lynch said. “He was off in the first half, but I told him ‘I’ll tell you when to stop shooting.’ ”

Teammate David Powell added 17 points, mostly darting past Sayville defenders for inside baskets. The combination of Horowitz’ outside shooting and Powell’s inside game was the difference.

“There’s not too many people who can keep [Powell] out of the lane,” Lynch said.

This game was intense from the outset. Fans from both teams traded verbal barbs, and eventually, some Sayville students were escorted out. The rivalry drew the attention of the neighboring Bayport-Blue Point boys basketball team, many of whom were in attendance.

But the real battle occurred on the court, reaching a high-intensity level at 6:05 of the third quarter, when Islip’s Andrew Oberg was hit with a technical after a pushing match with Sayville’s James Rupp. It was Rupp’s four consecutive foul shots that stretched Sayville’s lead to 32 – 16. Later in the third quarter, Sean Fullam received a technical during Islip’s scoring run, right after Lowe called a timeout to remind his players “not to lose their cool. My message was lost,” Lowe said.

“The tension is always high between these teams,” Lynch said. “It was tough going without Oberg, but I thought sitting him was the right decision.”

Sayville had three players score in double figures. Rupp led Sayville with 15 points. Fullam had 11 and Rich Geiger added 10, bringing a physical presence under the basket, and earning high praise from his coach.

“He played a great game,” Lowe said. “He’s getting better and better each game.”

That’s something Sayville fans can pin their hopes on, as Geiger is only a junior. He’ll return next year to chase an elusive playoff appearance that went away Friday night at Islip.

Scoring by Quarters:

Individual Scoring: