Anderson, Wysocki lead Eastport-SM to Div. II title

In the course of three sets, Eastport-South Manor faced three opponents: first, the defensive, hesitant Shoreham-Wading River squad that showed up in Game 1; second, the overwhelmingly raucous Wildcats contingent that got loud in Game 2; and third, the real SWR team - the one that fought for every point and stymied opponents all year - that would not give in quietly in Game 3.

Three sets, one result: The Sharks, led by Jon Anderson and Andrew Wysocki, defeated SWR, 25-14, 25-20, 25-21, Wednesday at Longwood High School to clinch the Division II boys volleyball county title for the first time in the program's history. Eastport-South Manor (18-1) goes on to face the winner of Bellmore JFK/Floral Park on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Longwood in the first Long Island championship game. "The first game, we were covering well, playing good defense and setting up the hits perfectly," Wysocki said. "In the second game, the way they were setting up their blocks, we weren't really hitting them as much. We weren't as psyched."

The Sharks were indeed caught on their heels in Game 2. Shoreham took a 4-2 lead and led as late as 12-11 on a block by Mike Clancy at middle. All the while, the SWR fans, who were set up near the ESM court, let the Sharks hear it.

"The crowd really rattled them," coach Bruce Stiriz said. "They were looking up at the stands at one point and I was like, 'Oh no.' As soon as they were able to get through the second game, though, I was pretty confident."

ESM overcame the negligible deficit and, in the end, the crowd's persistent chants, on Anderson's strong play in the second half of the game. He recorded four of his team-high 14 kills in Game 2, while he and John Bohnenblusch in the back row clamped down on the Wildcats offense and particularly Shoreham's bruising outside hitter, Erik Anderson.

"We took it too easy in Game 2," said Anderson, who had seven digs. "We thought we had them, but we just had to start hitting harder."

In Game 3, it was less the case of hitting harder and more the case of defending tighter. Both the Sharks and the Wildcats put on a stunning defensive display in the final stanza - including ESM's diving, splaying and hard-fought 12th point. The rally included Anderson's running save in the stands and two diving digs from ESM. The Sharks eventually won the point on a Shoreham fault to help spark a 6-2 run and the eventual win.

Hills tops Smithtown. Led by Mike Degrazia and Chris Kaimis, No. 1 Half Hollow Hills defeated No. 2 Smithtown East, 25-15, 21-25, 25-19, 25-20, to effectively punch its ticket to the boys volleyball Long Island championship against either Massapequa or Plainview JFK on Saturday at noon at Longwood High School.

"It was a shame someone had to lose," Kaimis said. "But our emotions were working for us and we were able to stay mentally focused."

Hills (17-1) defeated East in straight sets last year, with the Bulls (18-1) scoring no more than 18. And, though as dominant as ever, Hills found a thoroughly prepared Smithtown team, "looking for redemption," said Kaimis, who finished with 17 kills and 10 blocks. Remy Janco chipped in 51 assists.