The Port Washington Vikings took on the Baldwin High School Bruins in the Nassau Class AAA Championship game on Saturday, March 2, in a rematch of last year’s Class AA Nassau Championship game. Port Washington came up short to Baldwin again, losing 46-26.
In a defensive bout, both teams struggled to score through three quarters. Going into the fourth quarter, Baldwin held a 25-20 lead before running away in the fourth quarter. Port Washington was outscored 21-6 in the fourth and fell victim to the overwhelming Bruins defense.
John Spinoso led Port Washington with six points on two threes. Chase Timberlake and Peyton Howell led the way for Baldwin with 16 and 12 points respectively. Port Washington amassed countless turnovers and gave up 19 points in free throws in a game where they never held the lead.
Trevor Amalfitano and Spinoso both fouled out in the fourth quarter due to fouling on Baldwin’s fastbreaks as turnovers became the catalyst for the Vikings’ loss.
The first quarter started how the game finished, Baldwin swarming Port Washington, creating turnovers, and going on scoring runs. A 7-0 run from the Bruins put the Vikings in an early hole but Cole Reyes hit a three for the Vikings’ first points in the game. Amalfitano added a three later in the period for the only baskets in the quarter. Port Washington’s defense held its own too, holding the Bruins to just 11 points.
(Photos by Cole McDonnell)
In the second quarter, neither team could muster up many points, scoring a total of nine points. Amalfitano scored inside for a tough finish to cut the lead to three, 11-8 at the beginning of the quarter but once again the defenses held their own. Multiple steals and blocks ensued. An inside post-move by Dylan Cudjoe late in the second put the Bruins up 16-10.
Spinoso hit a three to start the third quarter, once again cutting the lead to just three. Timberlake crossed up a Port Washington defender creating space for a highlight jumper. Jake Siciliano scored his four points in the third with two layups inside. He was later blocked by Cudjoe on a shot attempt as the interior defense continued to shine through in this game. Port Washington’s Kenny Daly made a layup after securing an offensive rebound bringing the low-scoring game to 25-20.
Two minutes into the fourth quarter nobody could score a basket continuing the display of defense by either side. Timberlake scored the first seven points for his team. He answered a Spinoso three with a three of his own. The Vikings turned the ball over right after and Howell hit a jumper to create the first double-digit lead. Amalfitano fouled out early in the fourth quarter ending his stellar season on a low. The senior was visibly frustrated with how the game was going. The Bruins ended the game on a 10-0 run, taking full command of the game.
Despite beating Baldwin twice in the regular season, Port Washington loses in a blowout compared to last season’s championship matchup with the Bruins. They finish the season 20-3 with one of the best seasons in Port Washington history.
