Panthers Scoreboard: Boys Basketball Season Ends

Boys Basketball

The Panthers were in a must win situation Tuesday against an undefeated Harborfields team; win and they're in the playoffs, lose and their season is over.

After Miller Place played a solid first quarter, Harborfields was determined to finish league play undefeated and that they did,

In the first quarter the Panthers played tight defense and were able to score when needed, finishing off the quarter with a 15-9 lead and silencing the packed crowd at Harborfields out to see their team finish the league season undefeated on senior night.

“We came out strong and did what we needed to do,” coach Brian Sztabnik said. “It was their senior night and this gym was silent, which I think speaks to the effort we put forth."

In the second quarter, however, Harbforfields was able to take over the game with five three pointers in the second quarter to take a 39-30 lead into halftime.

Any hope of a Panther comeback was squashed in the third quarter as they were outscored 24-4 en route to the 20-point loss. Danny Finta led Miller Place with 10 points and three other players, Steve Jackolski, Kevin Leyden and Nick Parella, finished with nine apiece.

If the Panthers had won one more game earlier in league play they wouldn't have been in such a tough spot trying to defeat the undefeated first place team, but that was the situation they were in and it proved too tough to accomplish.

“Your goal every year is to make the postseason,” Sztabnik said. “But there were games we should have taken care of business and we struggled.”

The Panthers finished 5-7 in League V play and 9-9 overall. Two losses to rival Rocky Point, who finished 2-10 in league play, proved to be the difference maker in the Panthers' season.

Girls Basketball

By defeating Sayvillefor their sixth win of the season, the Panthers headed into this week's game against an undefeated Harborfields team with no pressure.

They ended up falling 60-40, but their season will continue on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. at No.4 Shoreham-Wading River who finished 9-3 in League VI.

The Panthers finished 6-6 in league play and 10-8 overall. Patch will be at the game and have a full recap of the results soon after conclusion of the game. You can also go out and show your support with a quick trip to Shoreham-Wading River High School.