High school roundup: Boys and girls basketball
St. John the Baptist's Tony Etkins moves the ball in the fourth quarter during a CHSAA boys basketball game on Dec. 21, 2024 at St. John the Baptist High School. Credit: Bob Sorensen
Pete Mastando scored 22 points to help Manhasset fend off Portledge, 68-61, in non-league boys basketball action on Tuesday night. Ari Patilis followed him with 18 points, while Max Cellura chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds. Antonio Giannopoulos pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds in the win for Manhasset (6-1). Josiah Warfield led all scorers with 23 points and Carter Abrahams added 21 for Portledge (3-6).
Lynbrook 66, Herricks 52: Jake Prince posted a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds while also dishing out three assists to lead Lynbrook (6-2) in non-league. Jaime Pereira added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists and Orji Agwu chipped in 11 points and four rebounds in the win. Austin Darr led Herricks (3-5) with 17 points.
MONDAY’S GAMES
Smithtown Christian 53, Port Jefferson 50: Luke Ruggiero scored five of his game-high 20 points in the first overtime period to lead Smithtown Christian (6-1) in non-league. Jerry Webb Jr. forced a jump ball on defense with nine seconds remaining in regulation, then scored the tying basket to send it to overtime. Webb Jr. finished the win with 11 points. Smithtown Christian’s players pulled off the win in coach Dan Skaritka’s return to the sideline after the passing of his mother, Maryann Skaritka. Ben Amadio hit four three-pointers and totaled 16 points and Ben Connelly added 14 for Port Jefferson (1-6).
Harborfields 65, Hauppauge 60: Steve Mergille scored 23 points to lead Harborfields (2-3) in Suffolk IV. Alex Ruisi added 14 points. Francis DiPalo added 13 points. Mario Chaves scored 21 points for Hauppauge (1-5).
Wantagh 52, Carle Place 46: Joe Nicholson hit five three-pointers and scored 17 points to lead Wantagh (3-4) in non-league. Devin Paccione added 13 points and five assists, and both Nick Hodne and Luke Gonsowski each hit a pair of three-pointers in the win. Ryan Leary led all scorers with 27 points for Carle Place (3-4).
St. John the Baptist 72, Queens School of Teaching 67: Tony Etkins scored 27 points to lead St. John the Baptist (4-4) in a non-league game. Justus Gales scored 14 points. Derick Ward chipped in 13 points.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Hauppauge 72, Smithtown Christian 53: Alexa Fortune hit seven three-point field goals and scored 27 points and Crisalyn Abruscato made five three-pointers and finished with 22 points to lead Hauppauge (6-1) in non-league. Nadia Madu led Smithtown Christian (5-2) with 20 points, followed by Annalyn Loiacono with 17.
MONDAY’S GAMES
Mineola 38, East Rockaway 36: Caitlin Powers hit the go-ahead shot off an inbound pass with 1.7 seconds remaining to win it for Mineola (5-3) in non-league. Powers finished with 12 points, and eighth grader Cecilia DeCollibus scored a career-high 15 points in the win. Arianna Gonzalez led all scorers with 17 points for East Rockaway (6-3).
Bellmore JFK 61, Island Trees 50: Katelyn Kuhl posted a double-double with 21 points and 10 blocks to lead Bellmore JFK (7-2) in non-league. Remi Watstein added 13 points and six steals in the win. Olivia Carbonaro led Island Trees (2-5) with 21 points.
