Floyd boys basketball's JJ Smith punctuates big 3rd-quarter run, helps Colonials reach Suffolk 'AAA' final
JJ Smith of Floyd catches the ball and passes while in the air in the third quarter of a Suffolk Class AAA playoff semifinal against Whitman on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Mastic Beach. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
Every time the Whitman and Floyd boys basketball teams met this season, the games were tight, and the Colonials always found a way to walk away with the win.
Friday evening was no different.
The top-seeded Colonials defeated No. 4 Whitman 73-66 in the semifinals of the Suffolk Class AAA playoffs at Floyd.
"We've been in this situation before," coach Will Slinkosky said. "We had very slow starts to the game, and then we made the adjustment, and our guys go out, and they execute."
Going into the second half tied 26-26, the Colonials knew they couldn't let the Wildcats take the lead. They used a 19-2 run in the third quarter, capped off by senior point guard JJ Smith, who went coast-to-coast for a layup and finished at the rim with finesse. Floyd outscored Whitman 27-11 in the third quarter.
"My approach to the game was a lot different in the second half," Smith said. "My teammates feed off my energy, so I wanted to move the ball around and get guys more involved."
The Wildcats responded with their own 19-2 run, making a late push in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 69-61 with 1:45 left by knocking down three-pointers. However, it wasn't enough.
"Being a second-half team seems to be our identity," Slinkosky said. "I have to give it to coach (Chris) Morra, he put his guys in the right situations to knock down those jumpers."
Smith led the way with 25 points, 11 rebounds and a steal, while Sharod Sutton Jr. had 23 points, 11 rebounds, a steal and four assists for Floyd (20-2).
"I came into this game knowing it was going to be tough," Smith said. "(Whitman) is having an amazing season, but I knew my team had the experience, so I had no doubt in my mind we were going to get it done."
Jack Bell scored 20 points, Jeremy Shaikh had 16 points, and Jason Thompson had 13 points for Whitman (17-5)
Sutton scored 12 of the Colonials' 20 points in the fourth quarter.
"He always finds a way to figure the game out," Slinkosky said. "That's the beauty of his intelligence, he reads the game and puts it into effect."
Sutton suffered a knee injury for the majority of last season and came off the bench for Floyd. This season, he's making a significant impact.
"It was a shaky feeling," Sutton said. "I didn't think I would be better than I was last year. I'm just blessed that I came back stronger and healthier for my team."
Floyd will face No. 3 Bay Shore in the county championship March 7 (5 p.m.) at Stony Brook.
"It doesn't matter who we face we are always ready for the challenge," Slinkosky said.
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
