Bridgehampton boys basketball falls short in state Class D regional final
J.P. Harding #44 of Bridgehampton takes a foul shot during the first half of the Boys Class BCD Basketball finals at Floyd High School in Mastic Beach on Feb. 19, 2019 Credit: Daniel De Mato
The Bridgehampton boys basketball team’s hopes of winning the state Class D championship ended Sunday night as the Bees fell to Marathon (Cortland), 66-60, in a state regional final at Floyd L. Maines Arena in Binghamton.
Marathon (15-8) advanced to the state final four. J.P. Harding had 28 points and 19 rebounds in his final game for Bridgehampton (15-10).
Marathon outscored the Bees 22-16 in the third quarter and brought a 51-45 lead into the fourth quarter.
Diego Castellot scored the final seven points of the quarter for the Olympians.
“We were a couple of steps behind on defense,” coach Ron White said. “We were playing man-to-man the entire game. That team was very disciplined and passed the ball very well.”
White said his team continued to persevere, even as Marathon kept Bridgehampton from coming back.
“We answered them a couple times, but they answered as well,” White said.
Harding entered Sunday night’s game ranked third in Suffolk with an average of 25.2 points per game.
“We want to thank him for representing Bridgehampton through the years,” said White, who added that Harding is exploring his college options. “He’s been a force to reckon with.”
Elijah White, who had five assists, and Nae’jon Ward added 13 points each.
Bridgehampton led 13-10 after the first quarter and went into halftime tied at 29.
