By TONY BELLISSIMO
The Marines, who lost their first eightÑincluding the previous three Conference I games by a combined 217-125Ñovercame an eight-point deficit in the first quarter en route to victory. Senior John Isola scored all of his 11 points, including one three-pointer and six free throws, to fuel a 23-12 fourth quarter for Long Beach. Junior Tashaon Davis scored all of his five points and senior James Philpott seven of his 18 in the fourth. Senior Taurean Nicholas added 17 points and senior Marcus Johnson added 12. Hempstead's Roman Pettway led all scorers with 31.
The Marines followed the win up with an impressive 74-54 rout of Syosset, the team's first conference win in five games. Isola (17) and Harold Robinson (13) combined for 30 of Long Beach's points in the victory as they improved to 2-8.
I would like to think there's still time to salvage the season, Marines coach Wandy Williams said. We looked fine during scrimmages, doing what we always do with our press and controlled chaos. But we had some players miss a bunch of games and we haven't had others step up. It's a tough road ahead, but it's good to get a win and we'll come back next game and see what happens.
With the 0-8 opening, Williams, who's coached the Marines since 1985, was off to his worst start in 18 seasons.
I don't think it was a matter of us getting fired up for Hempstead, Williams said. It's about getting our own thing going. We've got everyone back now and we have at least 10 kids that will play every game.
Key contributors Robinson, Leroy Poole and Brian Kelly all missed games for various reasons but returned this week in time for games against Syosset and Lawrence. They'll be counted on to boost an offense that produced just 46 points against Freeport, 34 versus Uniondale and 45 at Hewlett.
We've had our moments, Williams said. There are times we look good and there are times we look like we don't know what we're doing. We scored 35 points in one quarter against Elmont and came back with seven points the following quarter. Part of the blame has to be mine because we just haven't played well consistently.
While it's not looking positive at this point, the Marines shouldn't be counted out of playoff contention just yet.
There's been some good spurts and we need more of those. With everyone back, we'll try to get back to the way we were playing in early December and make some things happen.
