Carey's playoff stay is brief

    Points were hard to come by for Carey all season long, so it’s no surprise that a scarcity of offense cost the Seahawks in the first round of the Nassau Class AA boys’ basketball playoffs last Saturday.
 
   Patrick Meehan scored 14 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead No. 11 Massapequa to a 53-44 road victory over No. 6 Carey. Senior Joe Champey led the Seahawks with 17 points. Terrance Murchie added 12 to finish his career with 1,033 points.

    Carey coach Marty Kelly was disappointed with the outcome, but gave Massapequa all the credit. “They were very physical on the defensive end of the floor,” Kelly said. “They kept the pressure on us all game. Their defense really never let Terrance get into any kind of rhythm. We just didn’t play all that well.”

    The Seahawks got off to a nice start. A beautiful inside move by center James Klein gave Carey an early 12-9 lead. After Massapequa scored on consecutive possessions to go ahead, Murchie hit a deep three at the buzzer to give the Seahawks a 15-13 lead as the opening quarter came to an end.

    The second quarter is where the game got away from Carey. Champey opened it with a three to extend the lead to five points, but then the Chiefs took control. Massapequa scored the next 12 points during a 16-2 run, which saw the visitors take a 29-20 lead. Massapequa’s defense held Murchie scoreless in the quarter.

    Another key to the turnaround was early foul trouble for Klein. With the 6-foot-7 junior on the bench, the Seahawks’ frontcourt was weak on the defensive end, and Champey, Murchie and Co. were missing a big body to set screens, and to hit the boards on offense.

    The Chiefs came out flying in the second half, scoring the first six points to run out to a commanding 37-22 lead. The physical play that was rampant throughout the game got a little out of hand in the third quarter, but officials assessed technical fouls to both teams and did a terrific job of keeping the game under control.

    With both Klein and Murchie picking up their fourth foul, and Massapequa holding a 40-29 lead after three quarters, Carey’s chances of mounting a comeback were slim. The Seahawks cut the lead to 47-38 on a lay in by Champey with 2:45 to play, but they would get no closer. Massapequa advanced to the quarterfinal round, where it will meet Farmingdale.

    Despite an up-and-down season, the Seahawks did well in the awards category. Murchie, who will play at Mercy College, picked up All-County honors for the second consecutive year. Klein, Champey, and point guard Steven Matthew all earned All-Conference recognition.