Whitty twins, Rancy lead Longwood past Brentwood
Longwood's Elijah Whitty drives from the top of the key against Brentwood during the first half of the game at Longwood on Tuesday. Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Longwood got its biggest opportunity of the season to date with Tuesday’s rematch against Brentwood and seized it.
The Lions looked overwhelmed in the early going and then overwhelming in the fourth quarter as they handed the Indians their first defeat, 71-58, before a raucous home crowd. North Babylon’s loss to Bellport hours earlier had left Brentwood as Long Island’s last unbeaten boys basketball team.
Longwood (12-1) earned a measure of payback for a five-point loss at Brentwood (12-1) and evened things at the top of Suffolk AA-1. Both already have earned spots in the playoffs and could meet again with greater stakes.
“I think we’re the best team in the county right now,” said Longwood’s Elijah Whitty, who had a game-high 22 points. “[Brentwood] is always good, but I think we made a statement today.”
“After this you can see that we are one of the county’s top teams,” Lions coach Patrick Hayes said. “Brentwood – that’s a very good team. But now you can see that we are right there.”
Isaiah Whitty scored 19 points and Andrew Knox had nine for Longwood. Bryce Harris had 21 points, and Jordan Riley 17 points for the Indians.
The Whitty twins – 6-3 seniors – power the Lions’ offense, but it was the second-half defense and rebounding of 6-7 Jarnel Rancy that made the difference. Rancy had six blocked shots and turned Brentwood offensive rebounds – plentiful in the first 16 minutes – into a rarity after halftime.
Brentwood scored six points off offensive rebounds in an early 13-0 run as it took a 13-2 lead. It had a dozen second-chance points when it led 31-26 at halftime. Then Rancy put his imprint on the game.
“I was nervous about this opportunity in the first half and I didn’t do what I know I can,” he said. “Then I got more comfortable, focused on what I had to do.”
“It’s the best he’s played,” Hayes said of Rancy’s play after the break. “They were killing us with second-chance [baskets] before he got going. We believe in him and he came through. He could take us big places if he does what we believe.”
Elijah Whitty’s layup off a fast break broke a 45-45 tie with nine seconds left in the third quarter, and Longwood opened the fourth with an 18-4 run to pull away. Elijah Whitty had eight points and Isaiah Whitty seven in the run.
“After we lost the first time we played them, we were in tears – it was like losing a playoff game,” Knox said. “We’ve got a long way to go, but we’ve set something straight for now.”
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.
