Harborfields Too Much For Royals

The magnificent run by the Port Jefferson boys’ varsity basketball team through the ultra-difficult Section XI Suffolk County tournament came to an end tonight, despite an outstanding effort as the Royals lost to Harborfields 57-49 in the Suffolk Small Schools championship game at Stony Brook University.

The Royals won the Suffolk Class C, Class CD and Class BCD championships this season.

"The last thing I told these guys before we walked out of the locker room at halftime was out of fifty-seven teams in Suffolk County, we’re one of only four teams still playing right now," said Port Jeff’s head coach Michael Riley as he spoke proudly of his team’s play against one of the highest scoring teams on Long Island.

"These guys can’t put their head down, because Harborfields is an excellent team and they played well tonight," he said. "We’re a quality team too and I really love these guys."

Riley watched his Royals (14-8 overall) go toe-to-toe in the opening quarter with the senior-filled veteran Tornadoes, the defending Class A champions which showcase four players that each average at least 12 points per game. The scoreboard was tied 12-12 after the first quarter as gritty inside play from both Greg Nielsen and Anthony Lanieri helped contain the dangerous Harborfields shooters.

Braden Colucci’s fall away jumper from 12-feet out gave Port Jeff one of its few leads of the game: 14-12 in the opening minute of the second quarter and his nice running jumper moments later brought a loud cheer from the Royals fans before Harborfields (18-2 overall), led by Justin Ringen (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Lucas Woodhouse (10 points, 13 assists) ignited a 10-0 run.

Trailing 29-19 at halftime, Port Jefferson’s offense awoke in the third quarter, scoring 22 points despite not having Rose, their top playoff performer, on the floor.

Rose (seven points, five rebounds) had to sit the entire third quarter after getting into early foul trouble, but the play of Nielsen, Anthony Lanieri (11 points, eight rebounds, two blocks) and Colucci (nine points) kept the Royals in the game. Nielsen was Port Jeff’s standout scorer, leading the team with 15 points, including two three-pointers along with nine rebounds. Phil Lanieri (four points) and Juwan Venible (three points) rounded out the Royals scoring.

With two and a half minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and Port Jeff trailing 57-47, Riley took his starters off the court and gave some of Port Jeff’s reserves some much appreciated playing time as he began to mentally prepare for the Royals next opponent: Friends Academy in a game which will determine the Long Island Class C champion next Tuesday night at 5 p.m. at SUNY Old Westbury.

“I think we match up well against Friends Academy,” said Riley. “They’ve got shooters and we’ve got to get out there and play defense, but we’ll be ready next week.”