Rocks beat Owls in double OT

When East Rockaway and Lynbrook get together on the basketball court, throw out the record books, expect the unexpected, and assume the game will likely come down to the final possession. The 76th meeting between the teams was a barnburner.

Senior guard David McClure scored 22 points and dished out six assists to lead East Rockaway to a 66-63 double overtime win over host Lynbrook in the annual Friendship Games last Saturday. The Rocks have won three of the past four games in the series, which dates back to 1936. Junior Mike McVeigh led the Owls with 22 points. 

With the Rocks trailing 61-60, McClure drove right, spun left and converted a traditional three-point play when his short runner found the bottom of the net while being fouled with 57 seconds to play. His three free throws in the waning moments iced the game. McClure went 14 of 17 from the line.

 East Rockaway head coach Joe Lores believes the win could have a lasting effect on his team. “We had to go deep into our bench, and we grew as a team,” Lores said. “We have players that aren’t used to playing as much as they did, and they came through in big spots. Today, we got a little better.”

With McClure being stifled by the defense of Anthony Mackie and Brennan Gordon, forward Billy Humes picked up the offense for the Rocks. Humes scored a career-high 23 points and pulled down six boards. The Owls held an 18-17 lead at the half.

The pace of the game picked up in the second half, but neither team would hold more than a three-point lead. Each time East Rockaway looked ready to distance itself from the Owls, guard Matt Murphy would hit a clutch shot. Murphy finished with 17 points.

With the score tied at 49, the Owls looked to hold for the final shot, but had a pass intended for McVeigh stolen by Ed Carneglia. The Rocks rushed the ball up the court, but the buzzer beat a layup by freshman forward Danny Fusco.

Humes and Fusco helped East Rockaway build a 57-50 lead in the first overtime, but Lynbrook battled back. A pair of free throws from McVeigh, a three by John Boni, and a layup by Mackie tied the score for the Owls. McClure’s 16-foot jumper went in and out as the first OT buzzer sounded. 

Lynbrook head coach Chris Rube liked his team’s fortitude. “This game brings out the best in both teams,” Rube said. “I was very proud of the way we fought back in the first overtime. We pressed, picked up the defensive intensity, and made things happen. We just came up short.”

Lady Owls prevail
In the girls’ game, Lynbrook got out to a huge lead and never looked back in a 39-21 victory. The Lady Owls used a balanced scoring attack and stingy defense to take a commanding 14-2 lead after one quarter. Sophomore Ciara Gordon led the way with seven points and 16 rebounds. Eight Lady Owls scored at least four points.