By:Andrew McClure
The series, which has been historically dominated by Lynbrook, has now seen the two teams split the last eight contests. Their last meeting in 2003 resulted in a 65-60 Lynbrook victory.
Lynbrook (3-5) withstood a quick start by East Rockaway and used a balanced attack to take a 30-21 halftime lead. But East Rockaway quickly cut the lead to four in the beginning stages of the second half and appeared ready to make a game of it.
However, the Rocks' top scorer, Mike Donlon, recorded his fourth foul three minutes into the second half and Lynbrook's senior guard Nick Girardi took the game over, scoring 13 of his game-high 22 points in the third quarter. The Rocks (1-4) never challenged again.
"Nick played a tremendous game," Lynbrook coach Brian Hetrick said. "His passing was outstanding, and he went strong to the basket all game long."
Girardi added seven assists and seven rebounds, while Mike Mongeluzzi bucketed 13 points. East Rockaway, who was led by John Cardus' 14 points, recorded their third consecutive loss, after being defeated by Seaford on Dec. 14, 47-39, and Wheatley on Dec. 21, 60-51.
