On this day 88 years ago, the Stony Brook basketball team played the first game in the program’s history.

Coach Clyde Mellinger, our school’s first Athletic Director and football coach, had just two days to ready his squad between the last gridiron match-up and the basketball season opener. Many of his players were still aching from a season of hits and tackles and the team had barely any practice time before taking the floor with Smithtown. There were few on campus who thought our team could compete, but the eight boys on the squad made them believe in a 32-6 triumph.

Marinus Steenland and Gil Inglis (also the school’s first graduate) led the way with 12 points each. After a winless football season, this was also the first athletic victory in the history of the Stony Brook School.

Stony Brook Inaugural Basketball Team

Marinus Steenland ’24	Forward
John Gilman ’24	Forward
Tim Kittredge ’24	Guard
John Sloat ’23	Guard
Gil Inglis ’23	Center
Jack Fitch ’24	Sub
Harry Winser ’25	Sub
Ed Weber ’25	Sub

The school was totally unprepared for a victory and their jubilation knew no bounds.

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