Jude Swann, Jaxan Swann, Ahkee Anderson lead Greenport past Southold
Ahkee Anderson of Greenport goes up for a shot over Walter Cole Brigham of Southold during the first half at Greenport on Thursday. Credit: Daniel De Mato
Greenport has been the class of Suffolk VII all season. The Porters have gotten nary a challenge while shooting to the top of the standings. Few have figured out how to counter their Big Three of Ahkee Anderson, Jaxan Swann and Jude Swann.
A state Class C semifinalist last season, Greenport has the look of a team determined to take things further this year. Its play Thursday night as it raced past Southold for a 76-40 home victory did nothing to change that impression.
But as good as Greenport has been, it may have just gotten better. This week Tyrus Smiley rejoined the team way ahead of schedule after suffering a gunshot wound in early December.
Said coach Everett Corwin, “I thought he’d miss the whole season, and even though he would tell me ‘I’m feeling great,’ coming back sounded out of the question. But here he is.”
Many details about the shooting are murky, but Smiley said, “It boils down to me being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
He said the bullet struck his liver and colon before exiting. He was hospitalized for six days “and maybe 300 people came to visit me during that time.”
His popularity was unquestionable Thursday. When he entered the game during a break with one second left in the third quarter, it was the loudest the gymnasium had been. When he made a lefthanded layup off a give-and-go in the middle of the fourth, it was the loudest it got.
“I guess I am kind of a fan favorite,” Smiley said.
If he can do what Corwin and the Porters hope, Greenport could take its game up further.
Corwin called Smiley “our most versatile defensive player,” and he could be the team’s best all-around athlete. But he’s still a long way from game condition.
“It makes a big difference,” said Anderson (21 points, six assists). “On the defensive end, he is long and athletic, and you can’t mess with that.”
Jaxan Swann (16 points, 10 assists, seven steals) said: “It gives us another aspect to worry about, another weapon.”
Greenport (15-1, 9-0) didn’t need a contribution from Smiley to make the outcome academic early. The 6-4 Jude Swann had 10 of his 22 points in the first quarter, with eight on putbacks. The Porters had 13 points on the break as they surged to a 31-16 lead. They outscored Southold 21-3 in the second quarter and led 52-19 at halftime.
Steven Russell had 13 points for the First Settlers (8-7, 5-4).
“We’re staying focused. We had to when we lost Tyrus,” Anderson said. “Now we’re glad he’s going to be back with us. We’ve played well, but I know he will take us higher.”
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
