Ross' Pettaway upbeat after playoff loss
Ross' Brandon Pettaway's (11) layup is rejected at the net by Biondi's Hakeem Barnes (12) in the second half. (March 8, 2011) Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Appropriately, for a tiny school with the grandiose nickname Cosmos, this season was mostly about the journey.
"I was asked back in November what my expectations were for the season," said Brandan Pettaway, the Ross School's only senior. "There was only one: It was to do something that had never been done before."
Pettaway and his teammates delivered, finishing with the best record among Suffolk County's three Class D schools. They qualified for the state tournament for the first time in the history of the private school in East Hampton with a total enrollment of only 168 students, according to Section XI.
The journey was satisfying, the ending abrupt. Ross was overmatched against Section I qualifier Biondi of Yonkers and ended its season with a 76-46 loss Tuesday night at St. Joseph's College of Patchogue in a state Class D Southeast Regional semifinal.
Biondi (13-8) had five players score in double figures, led by Dayvon Felder with 20 points. A distinct height advantage, with three 6-5 players, allowed Biondi to dominate the offensive glass and score many of its points on putbacks.
"We had no answer for their inside game. None at all," Ross coach Kelly McKee said. "But we played hard and the kids definitely enjoyed the playoff experience."
The Cosmos (7-12), so named because the school's founder, Steven Ross, once owned the New York Cosmos of the defunct North American Soccer League, kept it close for a quarter.
Pettaway, who scored 12 points but at 6-1 was Ross' tallest player, gave the team and a smattering of fans that made the drive from out east a thrill when he nailed a three-pointer to beat the first-quarter buzzer and pull Ross within 20-16.
The Lions took over with a 23-point second quarter to gain a 43-24 halftime advantage that they expanded with little resistance in the second half. Liam Chasky had five threes and led Ross with 20 points.
"Without a doubt, this meant a lot to the kids," McKee said. "After we beat Bridgehampton [Feb. 8], we knew we were going to finish with the best [Class D] record in Suffolk. The school even had a pep rally after that."
Which was all part of Pettaway's plan for his senior year.
"When I first got here, the gym was empty," Pettaway said. "This year, we packed it a few times. We beat our rivals, Pierson and Bridgehampton, twice each. We got to play in a college gymnasium. It was a great atmosphere, quite different in a good way. I hope this sets the standard for the future at our school."
In the Cosmos' universe, the basketball odyssey has just begun.
