Royals Pull Off Big Upset Over Stony Brook

In what can only be described as the essence of what high school basketball is all about, wrote its own chapter in classic rivalry upsets, defeating defending Suffolk Class C champion Stony Brook 58-43 on Saturday night.

Despite having lost twice to the Bears earlier this season, coupled with having to play at The Stony Brook School, one of the most difficult gymnasiums for visiting teams, the Royals played four complete quarters, never had a letdown and performed as flawlessly down the stretch as any basketball team could hope for.

“Last time we came here, we lost 71-43, so there was a lot of hype and a lot of motivation to get back at them,” said Port Jefferson guard Phil Lanieri, who scored seven points and made several big free-throws in the fourth quarter. “Then they [Stony Brook] came to our place, beat us pretty bad and it just made us want to come back here and beat them at their house and that’s what we did.”

A standing room only crowd at Stony Brook was treated to one of the most exciting games of the Suffolk playoff tournament as both teams traded baskets in the first quarter. With the Royals taking a 15-13 lead only to see the Bears grab the lead back 27-26 at halftime. The game was tied at 40 after three quarters and Royals forward Greg Nielsen (team-high 17 points, eight rebounds) was beginning to establish his presence in the paint, muscling his way through a sea of arms to hit several clutch baskets while also drawing fouls along the way.

“All the kudos go out to Stony Brook, because they are the defending Class C champs and we knew it was going to be a barnburner, but we did the right things, we were focused and we played as one,” said Royals head coach Michael Riley. “Those last few minutes, it all came together for us and I can’t say enough about how well our team played. The last few minutes, they were so focused and they didn’t get nervous. They were focused on winning this game and that’s what they did.”

Stony Brook’s biggest run of the game saw the Bears score six unanswered point with four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to put the Bears ahead 48-41, but the flames were quickly extinguished when Terrell Rose (14 points, five assists) raced the length of the court to drop in a silky smooth lay up and teammate Braden Colucci (nine points) followed moments later with a short-range jumper.

Nielsen’s best play of the game occurred with a little over a minute remaining in regulation and Port Jefferson trailing 48-47 as he grabbed a rebound and fought his way through three defenders for a put back to put the Royals up by a point. He was fouled on the play, made his free-throw and Port Jefferson led 50-48. On Stony Brook’s next trip down the court Rose alertly grabbed a rebound of an errant shot and all the Bears could do was commit fouls and watch the Royals begin to make plans for the Class C championship game. Port Jefferson plays Greenport in the Suffolk D at Longwood High School at 12 p.m. on Tuesday.

“We had our whole team here tonight and the chemistry was there,” said Rose. “We practiced hard for this, we played hard and this is the type of game I practice for. This is what I dream about. This is what I’ve been working for since I was three years old. I love this game.”