The Port Washington Vikings squared off against the Syosset Braves, on February 25, in the semifinals of the Class AAA Nassau playoffs at Farmingdale State College. The Vikings won 66-56.
The number one-seeded Vikings were led by senior Trevor Amalfitano, who scored 23 points, leading all scorers. Syosset’s leading scorers were AJ AbuSaab and Will Pettinato, who both scored 14 apiece.
These two teams also met up in last year’s semifinals but ended in a Port Washington blowout of Syosset. The score was closer this time around but Port Washington was still dominant in victory.
Free throws were the difference between the two teams with Port Washington making 21 free throws compared to just three makes for Syosset. Amalfitano had 11 of his own as he was guarded by multiple players who couldn’t help but foul him as he drove to the lane at will.
Port Washington overcame a three-point disparity. Port Washington only hit three of them while Syosset hit 10 threes.
Syosset’s Yassen Shaker made a quick layup to start the scoring but the next basket didn’t come until Jake Spinoso made an up-and-under layup four minutes into the game. Amalfitano added eight points in the first quarter helping the Vikings jump out to a 15-5 lead.
The Braves stormed back in the second quarter with four threes giving them a 17-16 lead. Pettinato hit three of his four threes in the opening barrage. Port followed that 12-1 run with a run of their own starting with a John Spinoso three; they ended the quarter on a 9-4 run giving them a 28-21 cushion going into halftime.
The Vikings achieved their biggest lead at the start of the third quarter, 36-23 with an 8-3 run that saw four different players make shots in what was an overall team effort of a win. Toward the end of the quarter, Syosset showed some life after a tough Kyle Joe layup and the foul. Amalfitano drew a foul as time was ticking down at the end of the quarter quieting that short spark of life. The two free throws made the score 45-37 heading into the final period.
Cole Reyes scored all 10 of his points in the fourth including two three-point plays to help elevate Port Washington to the championship round. Syosset didn’t go away easily as AbuSaab hit a big three making the game 54-50, the closest the score has been since the second but they just couldn’t do enough to gain another lead since that quarter.
Port Washington improves 20-2 on the season and will return to Farmingdale State College on March 2 to play Baldwin High School who they lost to in the last two playoffs including last year’s championship game.
