Elijah Jackson, Bridgehampton use three-pointers to make regional final
Bridgehampton's Josh Lamison begins a drive along the baseline in first half of state Class D regional semifinal at Suffolk CCC-Selden on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Bridgehampton’s game plan was turned inside-out, but the Killer Bees are not on the outside looking in.
They knocked down 10 three-pointers, rather than pound the ball inside or score in transition, but still defeated Eldred, 67-50, Tuesday in a state Class D regional semifinal played at Suffolk CCC-Selden.
“I don’t like that many threes, but it was there. We had to keep shooting them,” Bridgehampton coach Carl Johnson said.
Elijah Jackson nailed four from downtown for his 12 points, Matt Hostetter sank three and added three free throws when he was fouled on a shot from beyond the arc for his dozen, and Tylik Furman had two trifectas and scored 15 points. “They condensed down on Josh because he’s such a threat,” Hostetter said of Josh Lamison, who still managed 19 points despite being surrounded by bodies in the low post.
“I saw the zone was packed in and they collapsed on Josh,” Johnson said. “So we took what they gave us.”
Bridgehampton (18-4) took another step toward defending its state championship by advancing to Friday’s state Class D regional final against Clark Academy at 4:45 p.m. at Pace University. Eldred, from the Catskills region, finished 10-12.
The Killer Bees took control with a 13-0 burst that included the first 11 points of the second quarter to grab a 28-11 lead with 5:55 left in the half. Jackson hit two treys during the decisive run and Furman one. “They didn’t come out on us as much as other teams do,” Hostetter said. “So we moved the ball and got some open looks. I just wish I’d made the one where I got fouled and could’ve gotten a four-point play.”
That came during the third-quarter when he was hot-hand Hostetter, sinking consecutive treys after the Yellow Jackets had cut the deficit to 37-28. Hostetter’s long shot rimmed out but drew a foul and made all three from the line. Furman followed with a corner three for a 50-30 lead.
“I thought we shot too many threes,” a frank Furman said. “I thought we should’ve pump-faked and tried to take it to the basket. Our game is to penetrate and run.”
Different method, but still a honey of a victory.
