Archrivals meet on court for first round of playoffs

The Bayport-Blue Point girls varsity basketball team won the first round of playoffs in a showdown against archrival Sayville on Friday, Feb. 23, with a final score of 55-47.

“Sayville is tough, so good, and well coached,” said BBP coach Toni McKinnon, “but they’re just as tough and just as strong as Sayville.”

Earlier in the regular season, BBP had faced off against Sayville and were victorious on Jan. 20 with a final score of 57-44 on Sayville’s turf.

“That win helped get their confidence up,” said McKinnon. “Once we got that win, their confidence went through the roof.”

With a season ending at 13-4 (8-4 in their league), the Phantoms have been prepping for games with what McKinnon calls a sense of “urgency” to zone in on play changes and to fortify defensive strategies.

“Mostly, they have been working on keeping up the energy,” said McKinnon.

Senior point guard Sam Haber has hit over five three-pointers seven times this season.

“Steph Curry, the best player in the world, has a 42 percent stat for making that shot—it’s not an easy shot,” said McKinnon.

Junior forward Ava Meyn has also been a top scorer and one who McKinnon believes will reach the 1,000-scorer title (the fourth for BBP) within the first six games of next season.

“I’m really proud of how our team came together for the win.  Beating Sayville on their home court was going to be tough, and our team really worked together to get the results we wanted. Sayville has some very good players, we knew that. We knew the game would be competitive.  Teamwork wins games,” said Meyn. “We really want to go far; we have all the pieces to do it. Our players are amazing offensively and defensively.   It means a lot to me that the seniors in our team get the season they deserve.”

Emma Brown, a junior guard, Kate Lemery, a senior guard, and Nicole Primavera, a junior forward, form the unsung triumvirate that McKinnon refers to as the “foundation” of the team.

“They do everything that doesn’t come up on a stat sheet and give the other players the platform to shine,” said McKinnon. “They are so selfless and play for each other. They are the true definition of a team.