Boys Varsity Basketball Making a Playoff Push

Boys Varsity Basketball Making a Playoff Push

Jake Viera, Sports Writer

The boys’ varsity basketball team put itself in the thick of the Suffolk County Class A playoff race with a pair of victories last week. The Hurricanes took down Comsewogue, 61-56, at home on January 10 and then defeated Miller Place, 62-58, also at home on Thursday, January 12.

The wins improved the Hurricanes’ record to 3-3 in League V, 7-5 overall; clubs must finish with at least a .500 winning percentage to make the postseason, which isn’t scheduled to begin until mid-February.

Jake Gaudiello scored 26 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out six assists in the win over Comsewogue. Nolan Quinlan finished with 16 points and 19 rebounds, and Matt Pesce had nine points all off three pointers Griffin Schulz had 4 points and Nigel Braithwaite Jr. and Jake Viera had 3 points each. Gaudiello also led all scorers in the win over Miller Place, finishing with 21 points. Pesce was again deadly from three-point range, scoring 20 points, including five three pointers. Griffin Schulz scored 10 points, Nolan Quinlan added 7 points and Nigel Braithwaite Jr. had 4 points.

The Canes are currently on a 3 game win streak after starting 0-3 in league facing two of the toughest teams in Suffolk County, undefeated Harborfields and Amityville. The Canes suffered a loss to Rocky Point to start the season due to their star player and 6th in Suffolk County in scoring, Junior Jake Gaudiello, who was suffering from a stomach bug.

During the Christmas Break the Canes participated in there annual Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament. The boys won the tournament with wins over ESM and defeated Southold in the championship game 58-47. Jake Gaudiello, who was named MVP of the tournament, scored 27 points and had five assists against Southold. Nolan Quinlan had 21 points and 16 rebounds.

Nigel Braithwaite Jr. was key in the first game of the tournament: He hit a three-pointer with nine seconds remaining in regulation to give the Canes a one-point advantage it needed for the victory over ESM. He finished with 12 points, while Gaudiello lit up the scoreboard with 37 points.

The Canes face Rocky Point on Thursday January 19th at 4pm in the high school.  Come out and support your Canes!