Hobson game MVP as Amityville dominates
After posting a 16-3 record last year, Amityville came into the 2011 season looking for that extra push to propel it to the top of the Suffolk basketball landscape.
So the team turned to a familiar face to help them prepare -- former Warriors standout and current Indiana Pacers point guard A.J. Price, who stopped by practices and lent a hand during the NBA lockout.
Thanks to Price's help, Amityville opened its season on the right foot with a 68-31 victory over Jericho in the Nassau-Suffolk Challenge Saturday at South Side.
"I'm kind of sad that the lockout is over," Warriors coach Jack Agostino said. "He came in, counseled the kids, gave them advice. He really helped us out a lot."
Price wasn't in attendance Saturday, but his effect was felt on the court. Amityville controlled the game from tipoff, limiting Jericho to four -- yes, four -- points on one field goal in the first half.
The Warriors' quick, up-tempo offense took care of the rest. Amityville scored 36 points in the first half, including 20 in the first quarter. Guard Richie Hobson had 13 of his team-high 20 points in the first half.
"Me being one of the returning guys, I knew I had to step up this year," said Hobson, who earned game MVP honors. "We're a younger team, so I had to do what I can to help out."
Andy Laurent scored 11 points for Amityville, and Michael Alston had nine points, all on three-pointers. Garrett Johnson paced Jericho with 13 points, all of which came in the second half.
"Our defensive pressure was a little extra today," Agostino said. "We came out flying. We were really fighting at the bit to get out there."
Despite the high expectations surrounding the Warriors, Hobson preached patience early in the season. "We're taking it one game at a time," he said. "Our motto is 'One more practice, one more game,' so we can't look too far ahead."
Uniondale wins. Uniondale rode a strong defense to a 59-42 season-opening victory over Bay Shore in the Nassau-Suffolk Challenge Saturday night at South Side.
Romario Williams led the Knights with 12 points and he also had seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Solomon Graham-Wright scored 10 points off the bench, and Kenny Woodard had nine points.
Uniondale found itself in early foul trouble, accumulating 10 team fouls before the end of the first half. But the Knights went on a 9-0 run to take a 33-19 lead into halftime.
"We were rushing a little bit in the first half," Woodard said. " told us during halftime to relax and to take our time, and we came through."
The Knights then went on another 9-0 run early in the third quarter to make the score 42-25. Bay Shore rallied with an 11-2 run that spanned the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth, but the Uniondale defense held on just long enough for the win.
"We showed some composure late," Diana said. "[Bay Shore] was gritty, but we were able to hold our ground. For our first timeout, that's something to be proud of."
