Lynbrook sweeps Friendship Games

Senior guard Rocco Scibelli stole the ball at halfcourt and drove in for a layup to give Lynbrook a two-point lead with less than a minute to play, and the Owls held on to beat host East Rockaway, 61-56, in the boys’ basketball portion of the Friendship Games Dec. 27. Lynbrook’s Patrick Geiger had eight of his 13 points in the final quarter. Sophomore Mike McVeigh added 13 points for the Owls, who improved to 3-4.

Lynbrook coach Chris Rube was happy that his team was able to respond after falling behind. “This game is a tough, physical battle each year,” Rube said. “I’m glad we were able to hang in there and eke out the win. The guys have been working extremely hard in practice, especially on defense. Offense comes and goes, but defense needs to be consistent. Rather than get discouraged, we’ve been battling back, and now have momentum going into the league schedule.”

After a sluggish start to the game, the Rocks took a 12-6 lead after one quarter. Both teams heated up in the second quarter. East Rockaway outscored the Owls 24-22 in the quarter to take a 36-28 lead at the break.

The third quarter was all Lynbrook. With McVeigh, Geiger and junior Matt Murphy getting in rhythm from the perimeter, and Matt Strobel (six points, seven rebounds) getting it done in the paint, the Owls, helped out by tenacious defense from Scibelli, took a 43-40 lead after three quarters. 

Lynbrook held the lead throughout the fourth quarter, but the Rocks tied the score at 54 with 54 seconds on the clock, setting the stage for Scibelli’s heroics. East Rockaway fell to 3-2.

Rube was glad to see Geiger was a difference maker. “Patrick stepped up with some big shots, including two big threes in the fourth quarter,” Rube said. “He always works hard, and has become a reliable guard. I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Earlier in the day, it was the Lady Owls besting the Lady Rocks 49-36. Senior guard Brooke Gerstman scored 27 points to lead Lynbrook, which improved to 4-2. Danielle Amaya added nine points and 11 rebounds for the Lady Owls. East Rockaway was led by MaryKate Vulpis’s 11 points.

Lynbrook, which has been hit by the injury bug, took what seemed to be a commanding 17-6 lead in the opening quarter, but the Lady Rocks hit the boards hard, played strong defense, and stayed in the game throughout. East Rockaway cut the lead to eight in the second half, but could get no closer Ally Lark added seven points for East Rockaway, which fell to 2-3.

Gerstman reflected on her last time playing in the annual Friendship Games. “It’s a special game each year, because you’re playing with and against girls that you’ve played with since elementary school,” Gerstman said. “It’s a little more special, being as we’re seniors. It’s not really a rivalry, because of the friendships we have, but it’s always fun to play East Rockaway. They really played with a lot of heart.”