Tae'von Bazemore, Connetquot find rhythm to defeat Bay Shore
Taevon Bazemore (1) of Connetquot drives to the basket against Kevonti Broomfield (15) of Bay Shore during the third quarter at Bay Shore High School on Friday, Jan 4, 2019. Credit: Brad Penner
Tae'von Bazemore looked to pass first on Friday night.
The Connetquot basketball standout racked up seven assists, in addition to his game-high 21 points, spreading the ball out and leading the T-birds to a 66-60 victory over Bay Shore in Suffolk II.
“[Bay Shore was] trying to double me and had a game plan to not let me touch the ball,” Bazemore, who also pulled in eight rebounds, said. “I trusted my teammates to score and they came through.”
Connetquot (5-0) held a 13-9 lead after the first quarter, but a 22-point burst in the second gave the T-birds an 11-point cushion heading into halftime and a big-time confidence boost on offense.
“We found a rhythm,” coach Tim Trava said. “That second quarter won the game for us.”
Matt Brown-Eiring, who finished with 17 points, led the charge, coming off the bench to sink four three-pointers. It was a spark Bazemore said the team needed and one he’d been waiting to see from Brown-Eiring all season.
“I know he’s capable of that,” Bazemore said. “Everything was going in for him.”
Bay Shore (2-2) did its best to rally, outscoring Connetquot 18-12 in the third, but couldn’t get that late-game push as the T-birds held on for the victory. According to Trava, the win was one of Connetquot’s best of the season and an important step as the team looks to make a deep playoff push this season.
“We need the same consistency out of our seniors,” Trava said. “We’re going to get every team’s best game, so we’re going to bring it every night.”
