The boys’ basketball team improved to 9-1 this evening with a staggering 86-36 win over Shelter Island. Tim Pandolfi was again an offensive juggernaut, topping the 30-point mark for the fourth time this season with 32. The Bears’ defense was on full display as they turned steals into points throughout the game and never allowed the islanders to find their rhythm on offense. The Blue and White scoring attack was balanced and unselfish and one the Indians simply had no answer for.

1st Quarter

The Bears were impressive before the game even started as Pandolfi and Jerome Washington threw down emphatic dunks during layup lines. Unfortunately, the display earned not only “oos” and “ahs,” but a technical foul from the referees as dunking in layup lines is against the rules. Shelter Island connected on both free throws and after a score inside they jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead. Unfortunately for the spirited islanders in the stands, it would be a short-lived advantage. The Brook responded with a 7-0 spurt on layups from Richie Armand and Jerome Washington and a 3-pointer from Armand. From then on it was the Bears’ defense that provided the scoring punch. Five steals in the quarter, courtesy of the press, led to a number of layups for our speedy guards. Pandolfi scored 8 in the quarter on three layups and a jumper to lead the attack. | 20-10

2nd Quarter

Any hopes of a comeback for the Indians were quickly quashed by a 19-3 run from the Bears. Pandolfi began the quarter with a difficult reverse layup and a trifecta. Kai Strachan followed with a pair of free throws, Forrest Hull scored back-to-back layups, Marco Masakayan drilled a baseline jumper, and Farqu Taylor converted on a drive to bury the home team beneath an avalanche of points. Everything seemed to be falling for the Brook in the second frame, even an impossible shot from Strachan while he was falling to the ground, that did not count, but was nonetheless noteworthy. When the smoke had cleared the boys held an insurmountable 44-17 edge heading into the break. | 44-17

3rd & 4th Quarters

The Bears finished off the Indians with a 23-4 third frame that gave them 67-21 edge entering the final quarter. The starters got a well-deserved break in the fourth as the reserves won the final frame, 19-15. | 86-36

Impressions

The Bears’ offensive potency was evident tonight as they poured in their highest point total of the season. Their defense was just as effective as it continually forced the Indians into uncomfortable situations. The boys look as though they are hitting their stride and beginning to really gel as a unit. The scoring came from anywhere and everywhere and the boys seemed all too happy to share the ball and defer to a teammate with a better look. Traditionally we are at our strongest during the second half of our season and this year is no different, which may not bode well for our league opponents. The Bears’ next match-up is tomorrow February 8 vs. Pierson @ 4:30pm.

Notes

The win was the 233rd of coach Mike Hickey’s career as he improved to 35-6 all-time vs. Shelter Island… Tim Pandolfi is 1st on Long Island in scoring with 27.8 points per game. He is also 13th in Suffolk County in 3-pointers with 32… Richie Armand is 12th on Long Island and 4th in Suffolk County in assists per game with 5.0… Jerome Washington is 14th in Suffolk County in rebounds per game with 6.0… The Bears have won five games in a row by an average margin of 31.2… The junior varsity also defeated Shelter Island, 49-29, to improve to 9-1 in the league and remain tied for first place. 

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