BLUE WAVES 59, REDMEN 13
Showing why run and gun is fun
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Riverhead's uptempo style led to layups like this one by Jalyn Brown against East Islip.
Run-and-gun basketball is the preferred mode for the Riverhead Blue Waves, who grab defensive rebounds, make steals and don't waste any time darting the ball forward for layups.
"I love going fast, running and gunning, which we always do," point guard Jalyn Brown said. "We're an athletic team. We're very fast. We can run people off the court."
Shaniece Allen of Riverhead, pictured, scored a game-high 14 points, as did teammate Kara Vonatzski.
In the warm, sticky Riverhead High School gym, the Blue Waves made life uncomfortable for East Islip. Speed played a big role. The Blue Waves, sparked by speedy guards Shaniece Allen and Brown, used the fastbreak to good effect. They stole the ball 23 times from a young East Islip team, forced 32 turnovers, and made things easy for Aleksandrowicz in her coaching debut.
Aleksandrowicz, a former Riverhead player herself (Class of 2006), said the current Riverhead team is one she would have enjoyed playing for. It's easy to see why the up-tempo style is so popular with the players.
All 12 Riverhead players played, and 11 of them scored, led by 14 points apiece from Allen and Kara Vonatzski. Brown added nine points and six steals.
Riverhead started the game fast, bursting out to a 28-8 lead and never letting up. "We were ready to go," said Brown.
East Islip Coach Chris Padgur gave the Blue Waves credit. "They're a very good team," he said. "They're very quick, very aggressive. They force you out of your offense and basically dictate the tempo of the game. When you do that, you have a good team."
That Riverhead defense held East Islip to only 5-for-8 shooting from the field -- for the game! "Defense, that's what wins games," said Aleksandrowicz.
Riverhead, which has virtually the same team it had a year ago, started the game with Allen, Brown, Ali Barthalt, Kelly Zilnicki and Vonatzski. But no matter what lineup was on the floor, things were working for the Blue Waves.
Aleksandrowicz wasn't surprised by what she saw. "We've been in the gym, working for a few weeks now," she said. "We knew what we were coming out here with. They did a good job. I didn't expect anything less than what they came out here with tonight."
Riverhead built a 29-11 lead by halftime, and then scored the first 12 points of the second half. The Blue Waves also did exceptionally well holding onto the ball. They committed only five turnovers and looked especially sharp for a season-opener.
"I think we looked very good today," Allen said. "I think we have a lot of talent."
Padgur said East Islip is building for the future. Referring to Riverhead, he said, "That's the bar right now that we have to play up to."
One thing seems certain: Teams that want to keep up with the Blue Waves will need to have their running shoes on.
bliepa@timesreview.com
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