Postgame: Harborfields vs. Longwood

Not everything can make it into the game story so here’s some additional information from the Suffolk Shootout game between Harborfields and Longwood which the Tornadoes won 61-58 in overtime.

As dramatic as Amy Werbitsky’s game-tying basket at the end of regulation was, it almost never happened. Following Lexi O’Connor’s long 2-pointer with about 20 seconds left in regulation which made the score 53-52 Longwood, the Tornadoes had to foul to prolong the game and didn’t do so for more than 10 seconds. The Harborfields bench and the crowd were screaming to foul but there was most likely confusion by the players as to whether O’Connor’s shot was a 2 or 3-pointer.

Longwood missed some foul shots down the stretch which could have made a Harborfields comeback more difficult but that’s part of the game. The teams were very evenly matched and the game had 12 lead changes, 10 ties and the biggest lead was six for Longwood (43-37) and five for Harborfields (60-55).

All in all a very impressive win for Harborfields who was without O’Connor, Kasey Stolba and Bridgit Ryan in overtime.

Especially without Bridgit (and) Lexi fouling out. They’re a very good team, very athletic. I’m lucky I’ve got a good bench. I play a lot of people and they all come through.

I said, ‘find a way to win the game. Don’t defer to anybody else. Each of you individually find a way to win the game.’

Amy when we were in Florida played the best quarter of her life against Grand Island. I told her, ‘find out what you did that day and do that every game.’ Beginning today, she was a little here and there but then when we needed her she found a way to get it done. That just gives us another weapon and I’m looking forward to seeing more of that.

After last year she really worked hard in the offseason. She wants to play in college. Big games this year, Ward Melville we’re losing she hits the big basket. She was the toughest one on the court, she handled the pressure, made the big shots, she’s a great player.