On Friday, Feb. 4 the Dalers’ varsity boys’ basketball team (6-7 overall, 3-5 in-conference) hosted the Freeport Red Devils (11-2 overall; 6-2 in-conference.)
The Dalers got off to a sluggish start, as Freeport’s full-court pressure caused two turnovers and led to a quick 6-0 lead not even two minutes into the game. Daler sophomore point guard Dalique Mingo grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in for the first points of the game for Farmingdale.
The Dalers went on a 17-6 run to close out the first quarter ended with a 17-12 lead.
The Dalers stayed hot early in the second quarter, as layups by Mingo, Kevin Petit-Ferar and a mid-range jumpshot by Curtis Jenkins stretched the lead to 23-14. Farmingdale’s offense continued to put points on the board, as Mingo scored nine points in the final four minutes of the half. However, Freeport’s offense kept them in the game as well and the Red Devils trailed 39-30 at halftime.
The second half started off with a bang when sophomore Petit-Ferar threw down a dunk on a fast break, exciting the Farmingdale crowd. Freeport turned up its full-court pressure, forcing turnovers and drawing as close as 41-39.
Petit-Ferar was fouled but still made a three-pointer. The Red Devils’ defense continued to create problems for Farmingdale, capitalizing on Daler mistakes to pull within three at 48-45 with two minutes left in the quarter.
After a fade-away three-pointer at the buzzer, the score was knotted at 48 points apiece going into the fourth quarter. This shot stunned the crowd, eliminating the lead that Farmingdale had held, and ultimately served as the game’s turning point.
The first minute of the quarter was all Farmingdale, who took a 52-48 lead after layups by Pierre St. Simon and Petit-Ferar.
Petit-Ferar hit a three to tie it at 55 with five minutes left, Mingo took a rebound the length of the floor for a layup and put the Dalers back in front. The Red Devils made a three-pointer and two fouls to take a 60-57 lead with under three and a half minutes to play.
Petit-Ferar made two from the free throw line to pull within 60-59. A foul shot by Mingo tied the game at 60.
The Red Devils took a timeout with two minutes left. Out of the timeout they made a spinning layup for a two-point lead.
Farmingdale missed two free throws and could not score again, and Freeport made three more foul shots for the final margin.
The Red Devils came away with a 65-60 victory, led by Jere Brown’s 17 points, Leondre Simmons’ 15 points and 10 rebounds and nine rebounds from Isaiah Barnes. Mingo led all scorers with 24 points and Petit-Ferar finished with 18.
