South Side wore down Manhasset in the Nassau Class AA boys basketball semifinals on Monday evening, finding more in the late stages to pull away with a 55-45 victory. The game, held at Farmingdale State College, was one of attrition, and with relentless defense and a deeper bench, the top-seeded Cyclones proved overwhelming in a powerful second-half showing.
“This is a college floor, 10 feet longer and six feet wider,” South Side head coach Jerry D’Angelo said. “You’ve got to be in better shape. We have a deep rotation. We can play seven, eight, nine kids in rotation to give us some breathers, and I thought it definitely paid dividends.”
South Side advances to the Class AA county championship game against second-seeded Roslyn. The 19-3 rivals will play this Saturday at 5 p.m. back at Farmingdale State.
South Side’s semifinal victory was not as decisive as it appears, as Manhasset spent much of the first half in control. After falling to the Cyclones 37-36 on Feb. 11, Manhasset came prepared for the postseason rematch and led 24-21 at halftime.
South Side senior John Pericalosi ended the night with 20 points and 12 rebounds, but his defensive efforts proved even more important. His early steals kept the Cyclones involved after a slow start, and his role in the full-court press eventually helped to exhaust Manhasset’s top-heavy roster.
“Just keeping pressure on the ball,” Pericolosi said. “I wanted to force them to make some turnovers, force them to make the play. That’s really it.”
The first six minutes of the second half proved to be the last gasp for Manhasset and senior Pete Mastando, who continued making tough shots to counter South Side’s surging attack. The lead changed five times in a flurry propelled by two dunks from Pericolosi and steady production from South Side senior Ryan Schmitt, who finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.
“We hyped ourselves back up, especially coming into the game that slow,” Schmitt said. “Started the second half strong, played together as a team, got some fouls on them, and that's how we won.”
Mastando scored 22 points in defeat, but the dam finally broke late with 2:12 remaining in the third, when South Side junior Trevor Walsh made a pair of free throws to kickstart a 12-0 run to end the quarter. The barrage was punctuated by two stylish baskets from sophomore Kiernan Vetter, who scored a season-high 8 points off the bench.
“When I went in, I had to rise to the occasion, and I did what I did,” Vetter said.
Comfortably ahead entering the fourth, Schmitt, Vetter, and Connor Erickson did the late work to lock down the 10-point win.
Pericolosi and Schmitt admitted that past postseason heartbreaks are fueling their final run. Upset in the championship game as sophomores and sent home early as juniors, the seniors hope the third time will pay for all as they extend their varsity careers one game at a time.
