Lawrence Dominates Plainedge in 86-50 Win

Although the Lawrence boys basketball team had already clinched a playoff spot heading into their final regular season Conference A-II game, the Golden Tornadoes did not hold back on Monday night against Plainedge.

The Golden Tornadoes (10-2 conference, 14-3 overall) used their high flying offensive attack and pressurized defensive style to defeat the Red Devils (1-11, 2-15), 86-50, on their home court.

“The intensity that we had tonight was very important for this game,” said Lawrence head coach Pete Linderman. “I’ve been telling the guys all season long I don’t care who is on the other side of the court. If we play Lawrence basketball, we can control the outcome of the game.”

From the beginning of the game, Lawrence did not take Plainedge lightly. The Golden Tornadoes outscored the Red Devils 25-10 in the first quarter and ended the quarter with a 3-pointer from A.J. Gallo.

Lawrence continued to ride their momentum in the second quarter by going on a 13-3 run to extend their lead to 41-18.

Despite being up by 21 at halftime, Lawrence continued to apply tight defensive pressure in the second half. They recorded seven turnovers that led to several fast-break points, where the team was always looking to pass the ball to a teammate before converting the lay-up.

“We preach teamwork every day,” Linderman said. “It’s great that it has sunk in with the guys and they are executing well in the games.”

The Golden Tornadoes were led in the game by Eddie Robinson with 16 points, five assists, and seven rebounds. Samson Bialostok chipped in with 13 points and nine rebounds and Ibraheem Shamseldin scored 11 points and recorded five assists.

Linderman used his entire 10-man roster in this game, with the bench contributing 32 points in the victory. Dwayne Daniel led the Golden Torndaoes’ bench scoring with 13 points and Gallo recorded nine points, including three 3-pointers playing on the team’s second unit.

“I told the guys after last game that we are going to need more than our core players to do well in the playoffs,” Linderman said. “Some of the guys stepped up today and it was good to see.”

The Golden Tornadoes are heading into the post season with eight consecutive victories. Linderman said he likes the way the team is playing right now.

“I think we are playing very good basketball,” Linderman said. “We have gelled as a unit and if we continue to play as we have in the past 10 or so games, we could do something very special.”

Lawrence is the sixth seed in the Class A playoffs and will host a first-round game against West Hempstead on Thursday, with tip-off scheduled for 4:45 p.m.