No doubt about it. Southold took its lumps when it was bounced up to Suffolk County League VII from League VIII. The difference in the level of competition showed in Southold's 3-16 record (2-12 in League VII).

“It showed us that out there are a lot of better teams,” said Gino De Jongh, Southold's 6-foot-5 forward.

Now the First Settlers are spending the summer trying to make themselves better by playing in the Town of Brookhaven Summer League. Although the team has made progress, there are signs that it is still learning how to win. For one thing, when a game is on the line, the First Settlers will have to limit their mistakes and protect the ball better than they did on Thursday night in their 44-39 loss to the Rocky Point Eagles.

Although Southold (1-1) did a lot of good things in the game, they were marred by some bad things down the stretch, namely turnovers, which allowed the game to slip from its grasp. It was a timing thing, too, because Rocky Point (1-1) actually finished the game with two more turnovers than Southold.

“We play together, but it's just that when it comes down to crunch time, we have to get more experience because most times in crunch time, that's when we start making dumb mistakes,” De Jongh said. “We had it, it just slipped out of our hands. In the last few minutes we passed awfully, made turnovers, and all of that.”

Jon Cepelak, Southold's shooting guard who put a game-high 20 points on the scoreboard, said the team's passing and offensive movement needs work as it adjusts to the speed of the game. “We just have to slow down and keep our composure,” he said. “Everybody's rushing the ball.”

It was a basket by Cepelak that put Southold ahead, 39-38, but then things fell apart for the First Settlers from that point on. Successive layups by Cody Thixton and Justin Oliver, and a pair of free throws by Scott Tumulty with 56.2 seconds to go gave Rocky Point a 44-39 lead, matching the largest margin in a game that saw seven lead changes and nine tied scores. A series of miscues down the stretch prevented Southold from recovering.

Thixton led eight Rocky Point scorers with 13 points in addition to four assists, four rebounds and two steals.

De Jongh had eight rebounds, two steals and a block to go with his eight points.

Southold's loss in the sticky, smelly Rocky Point High School gym followed its encouraging start to the summer season, a 44-39 win over the Eastport/South Manor Sharks two nights earlier.

Togetherness seems to be on Southold's side. Part of that may be a product of its rough experience in League VII.

“I think we came together because we lost a lot,” Cepelak said. “We had to support each other and keep our heads high.”

“I think we have more confidence now because we've been practicing and working out,” he continued. “We're like all good friends, so we're happy to be playing together. I think we have a bright future if we work hard.”

bliepa@timesreview.com

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