by Frank Caggino
When walking into the gym and seeing the Brentwood’s Indians 6’6 Alan Houston, who is the same height as Knicks legend Allen Houston, it is easy to think this might not be a high school game. Combine that with the 6’5 #34 Bryce Harris, that can be mistaken for NBA player Tobias Harris, a Long Island Native that also wears number 34. The size of the Brentwood Indians team looks like a college team and they played like a team that is already in college against Sachem East. The Indians came into this game undefeated, and already having a win against Sachem East earlier this season on December 20th where they won 96-51. Brentwood was almost able to replicate that score tonight winning 90-43. Brentwood used their size to their advantage to build an early lead and kept it the entire game.
The Brentwood Indians played a relentless trap on Sachem which forced many turnovers, that led to layups at the other end. Even when Brentwood was in their half court offense in the first quarter, if they missed a shot, they either got the offensive rebound or drew a loose ball foul. There was a point early in the first quarter, where Sachem East committed three straight loose ball fouls trying to stop all the offensive rebounds that Brentwood was getting. The pressure that Brentwood put on Sachem East, gave them a 23-0 lead early in the first quarter. Zach Hafner got the first basket for Sachem in the first quarter and played a very nice game finishing with a team high 14 points. Even though Brentwood jumped out to a lead of more than 20 points, they stayed locked in and ended the first quarter leading 30-4.
In the second quarter it was more of the same from Brentwood, steals and layups. What is pleasant to watch about Brentwood, is that even though they are undefeated, they still pass the ball and everyone gets involved. Bryce Harris was the leading scorer with 16 points and with the team finishing with 90 points, it shows how balanced the offense was. This type of balance can not be found even in an NBA game, where ego leads to certain players taking most of the shots. What was encouraging about Sachem East, is that even though they were down by a significant margin the whole game, they did not show an ounce of quit. There was no bad body language or complaining. It is a testament to both teams because even though Brentwood had the big lead, they did not become lazy or disinterested to let the lead get away. Seeing this from both teams would also not be seen in an NBA game where the winning team would get careless and not try to build on the lead and improve. Far too often in professional basketball, losing teams will completely quit and no try to get back in it. That was not the case as in this game even being down by more than 40, Sachem East was still willing to go to the floor and play as hard as they can. Sachem was overwhelmed by a Brentwood team that used their size from beginning to end.
After the game, Brentwood Indians Coach Anthony Jimenez said he was proud his team started the game with a great amount of energy and used their size to help them which according to him, was part of the game-plan. When a team is undefeated it is easy to keep doing what works and not try to get better. When asked about this, Coach Jimenez said that it is important for the team to maintain the mindset that they can improve because if they do not, then they can lose. That same mindset has gotten Brentwood to where they are now and it will be intriguing to see where that mindset takes them going forward.
