Longwood clinches playoff berth

Longwood had expectations of going to the postseason this year and the Lions achieved that goal tonight with a 51-41 win over Sachem North in a League I game. It's the first time they have reached the postseason since 2005-06, when they lost in the county championship to Northport.

The Lions started out 5-0 in league play before losing senior Aliyah Blake to a torn ACL in a win over Brentwood when she was going in for a fastbreak layup. Blake did a little of everything for the Lions and it was a tough adjustment without her. They followed with losses to Sachem East, Ward Melville and Patchogue-Medford before beating Floyd 40-38 and Sachem North to move to 7-3.

"It has been a process without Blake," first-year Longwood coach James Castiglione said. "The postseason was a goal for us."

Sophomore Kiery West had 24 points, 12 rebounds, five blocked shots and four assistsin the win.