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Rocky Point tops Centereach for first win
Rocky Point, NY – It may be getting cold outside, but it sure is starting to heat up on the basketball court. After months of preparation, Rocky Point took to their home court, and behind a raucous crowd was able to pull off the tight victory over Centereach, 65-54, in non-league.
The Eagles had four starters in double-figures. Steven Soltystik, Andreas Vouliakis, and Daniel Sorano each scored 13 points, while Joe Kingston chipped in with 12.
This one didn’t start particularly the way 12th year Head Coach Jim Jordan had hoped. His squad fell behind 11-2 to get it going, but by the end of the first quarter Rocky Point was able to cut the lead to just four at 17-13.
The Eagles would continue to put heavy pressure inside by highlighting on Vouliakis, and with three minutes remaining in the first half, the Greece-born 6’8” forward put his team up 23-22.
As the half wound down, the Eagles were able to put a little distance inbetween themselves and Centereach. A three-possession swing in which Sorano made two free throws, Soltysik blocked a shot, and a three by Jonathan Popko made it 28-24.
Popko and his team would take a 28-26 advantage into the second half.
In the third quarter, it seemed like it was all Soltystik. The big forward came up equally big for his team as he made tough bucket after tough bucket. He was able to bruise and at times finesse his way for some points that gave his team 41-35 lead before the last possession of the quarter. However, Centereach co-captain Dan Nappi kept his Cougars alive at the end of the quarter with a high-arcing three at the buzzer to make it a three-point game.
However, the fourth quarter was all Rocky Point. The Eagles outscored Centereach 24-16 in the final period of play. Vouliakis capped his fine day with the put-away 12 foot jumper to put his team up seven. Solid foul shooting in the final minutes sealed the first win of the season, 65-54.
Scoring Leaders:
Rocky Point:
Steven Soltysik – 13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals
Andreas Vouliakis – 13 points, 9 rebounds
Joe Kingston – 12 points, 1 rebound
Daniel Sorano – 13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
Centereach:
Dan Nappi – 15 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists
Jonathan Samuel – 7 points, 8 rebounds
Ryan Herman – 11 points, 6 rebounds
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