Rose to the Rescue: Three Pointer in Final Minute Keeps Cougars Playoff Hopes Alive

It all came down to one shot.

With the game in his hands, Adrian Rose kept his cool and sank the biggest shot of his life with 38.1 seconds to go in Friday's thriller against Plainview, and the Cougars kept their playoff hopes alive.

The three pointer would give the Cougars a 41-39 lead, and they were able to fend off the Hawks' final stand and lock up a huge victory in the Kennedy gym.

Joey Karo led the way for Kennedy (11-3, 9-2) with 14 points. Brendan Mills was a close second with 12, and Rose added seven, although he knows that no basket was more important than the one that kept his team in the playoff hunt.

"It's simply crazy," Rose said. "I have never felt anything like this before."

It was back and forth from the opening tip, and Kennedy had a tough puzzle to solve in Plainview's Zach Amateau, who led the way with 20 points for the Hawks.

"We knew he was going to be tough," coach Rory Block said. "He's a solid player, and he can hurt you in so many ways."

Amateau scored 11 of his points in the third quarter, but the Cougars were able to stop him twice in the closing seconds to preserve the victory.

"Both teams played an unbelievable defensive game," Block said. "It just came down to who could make the big shot, and I am very happy for Adrian."

The 39 points were the second lowest total of the year for Plainview (11-3, 9-3), which scored 37 points in their loss to East Meadow on January 15.

"It really was a well played game by both teams," Plainview coach Mike Harris said. "We played well defensively, but you need to give credit to Bellmore. They kept on pushing. There's no doubt that both teams deserve to be competing in the playoffs. Unfortunately, only Bellmore has a chance at that."

The Cougars haven't ensured a playoff spot yet. They still need to win tomorrow when they travel to Syosset with the season on the line. In their first meeting in the Kennedy gym, the Cougars were all over the Braves, and they won 58-37.

Not only was Friday's game bittersweet because of the victory, but it was also the last home game for several Kennedy seniors. Prior to the opening tip, Kennedy's seniors stood at half court and presented their proud parents with flowers, and the crowd gave the seniors a standing ovation.

"To win like this in my last home game is unbelievable," Mills said. "We have one game left to get to the playoffs, and I have never been more confident in our chances."

The game went back and forth, and there were a number of lead changes. Every time one team would go on top, the other would answer. Defense was prevailing, as both teams got chances, but they couldn't convert. The first half featured just 35 points combined, and the Cougars led 19-16.

Kennedy had to overcome a bit of adversity in the third quarter, because Amateau was on fire. He nailed three of his four three pointers in the third frame, and Plainview took a four point lead. Karo's driving layup made sure that the game was tied at 27 apiece heading into the fourth quarter.

The final period saw the lead change hands six times, but the Cougars were still able to fight through it. Kennedy was able to prevent Plainview from getting second chances, and a lot of that was due to the physical play of Mills and Brian O'Gorman.

"Those two guys were huge for us down low," Block said. "When you can prevent second chances, it gives your defense a chance to take a deep breath."

Rose was excited about making the game's deciding shot, but he knows that the job is far from finished.

"We need to take care of business," Rose said. "We are ready to give all we got to make sure we win against Syosset."

The Cougars tip-off at Syosset tomorrow at 6:15 p.m. 

Plainview: Zach Amateau, 20; Corey Maiorana, 5; Jon Farber, 5; Jordan Lefkowitz, 4; Brett Lawler, 3; Chris Druckman, 2

Kennedy: Joey Karo, 14; Brendan Mills, 12; Adrian Rose, 7; Brian O'Gorman, 4; Will Colon, 2; Steven Katz, 2