South Side advances to semifinals

Cyclones win 20th straight

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Two of Nassau County’s longest winning streaks were on the line Tuesday night in the boys’ basketball Class A quarterfinals, but only one could continue.

Seniors Robert Pericolosi, James Murphy and Josh Garelle made sure it was South Side’s.

The second-seeded Cyclones, coming off their lowest-scoring game of the season, had their offense humming again in a 62-52 home victory over No. 7 Great Neck South before a standing-room only crowd.

Pericolosi had 19 points and 12 rebounds, Murphy 18 points and Garelle 14 as South Side won its 20th consecutive game while snapping the Rebels’ win streak at 11. Jesse Roggendorf scored a game-high 20 Great Neck South (16-6), the Conference A1 champs which knocked off No. 10 Valley Stream North in the Round of 16.

“I liked how we moved the ball on offense and I really liked how tough we defended, especially down low,” South Side head coach Jerry D’Angelo said. “We started strong and had another big push late in the first half after they got within a point. Then we had a nice start to the second half and held on from there.”

The Cyclones, who went undefeated in capturing the Conference A2 title, advanced to the semifinals where they’ll take on third-seeded Elmont next Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Farmingdale State College. South Side defeated the Spartans twice during the regular season.

“Elmont is a good team but we just want to repeat those results,” said Pericolosi, who after sitting out most of the second quarter in foul trouble hit two key baskets to help the Cyclones lead 32-25 at the half. “We feel pretty good about ourselves after this one,” he added.

After Great Neck South’s Shaun Wei hit a pair of threes early in the third quarter to close the gap to 34-31, South Side caught fire and scored 21 of the next 29 points to build a 16-point cushion midway through the fourth.

Senior James Bivona chipped in 5 points, junior Patrick Mullin added 4, and junior Ryan Kennedy pulled down 8 rebounds.

The Cyclones (20-1) had scored at least 60 points in 10 straight games prior to last Saturday when they grinded out a 44-39 win over No. 15 Jericho. Murphy (19) and Garelle (10) scored in double figures in a game South Side led by 14 early in the third quarter.

“I don’t know if it was opening playoff jitters or what, but we had a rough shooting day from the outside and also from the foul line,” D’Angelo said. “Tonight we bounced back and played the way we’ve been playing all season.”

The Cyclones defeated Elmont 69-54 on Jan 10 and also 69-46 on Feb. 7.

“Elmont is quick and athletic, and we know how hard it is to beat a team three times,” D’Angelo said.