LBHS Girls Basketball Drop Home Opener

Woodlynn Daniel scored a game-high 14 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead visiting Oceanside to a 35-24 victory over Long Beach on Tuesday afternoon. Daniel scored 12 points in the opening half as the Sailors put a damper on Long Beach's home opener. Sophomore Molly Martin led the Marines with seven points.

Long Beach head coach Lori DeVivio was encouraged by the play of her young team.

"We're sort of in an identity crisis," DeVivio said. "We're a multifaceted group, so it's going to take some time to figure out the chemistry. We did some good things out there today."

The first four minutes of the game were a feeling out process with neither team establishing any kind of rhythm. Oceanside's defense forced the Marines into six turnovers in the opening quarter, as the Sailors ran out to an 11-6 lead.

Freshman guard Mary McDonagh hit a long three-pointer to get Long Beach within a point at 12-11 early in the second quarter, but the Marines had a six-minute scoring drought and managed just a single field goal the rest of the half. The Sailors, who improved to 4-1, took an 18-13 lead in the locker room at the half.

The third quarter was all Oceanside. Six different players scored as the Sailors outscored Long Beach 12-3 to take a commanding 30-16 lead into the final quarter.

The Marines played their best basketball in the fourth quarter with a lineup composed of two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior. Long Beach's youth played an inspired final eight minutes, showing glimpses of what figures to a very solid unit in the future. The Lady Marines have just one senior on the roster.

Despite losing the first two games, DeVivio likes what she's seeing from her team early on in 2010-11. Martin, who also led Long Beach with 10 points in a season-opening 54-33 loss to Uniondale, is quickly emerging as a player to be reckoned with.

"Even though she's just a sophomore, Molly is becoming a team leader," DeVivio said. "She's a coach's dream. She plays all 32 minutes, and can play all five positions. Any coach would want a player like Molly. She has a great future on the court."

Long Beach will now prepare for their league opener at Carey High School on Dec. 17. Game time is 4:30 p.m. Battling for a playoff spot in a league that includes Elmont, Calhoun, and Valley Stream Central may be a lofty goal, but DeVivio is optimistic.

"We're looking at small goals," she said. "These are building blocks. If we can get a little more cohesive, and improve each day, I think a .500 record with an outside shot at the final playoff berth is something to shoot for."