North Drops Summer League Game to Riverhead

Riverhead defeated Sachem North, 57-33, in their summer league boys basketball game Tuesday night. Riverhead struck first, going on a 10-2 run to open up the game.

North managed to hang with Riverhead for most of the first half, scoring points on offensive rebounds and getting a bit lucky as Riverhead missed nine of its first ten free throws, but they finished the quarter still down by eight at 25-17.

Riverhead showed off its size and speed in the second half, going on a 27 to 12 run by pressing the boards and connecting on offensive rebounds.  Sachem North on the other hand, struggled, with many shots missing their mark.  Nicky Gallina was one of only a few who were able to find any kind of rhythm for Sachem as he made some impressive fast breaks into the paint on his way to 10 points. 

"All the guys played hard," Gallina said. "It's just that they were making their shots and we weren't. That's really what it was."

Brian Ford also put up a strong effort for Sachem as he scored 6 points.

Riverhead continued to play a very tenacious defense throughout the second half, running out the clock by forcing Sachem to pass.  They were finally able to connect on their many free throw opportunities and put the game away early.

After starting the season 5-0, Sachem North is now on a two game skid following their loss to hometown rival Sachem East. 

"We have to continue to get bigger and faster to compete with the elite teams and athletes that are in this league," said Sachem North coach Tom Mullee. 

North plays its next game at home against Longwood on Thursday at 7 p.m.