South Side entered the fourth quarter of Wednesday's Long Island Class AA championship game trailing one-loss Smithtown West by just a basket before the Bulls’ explosive offense found its rhythm.
Smithtown West (23-1), which scored nearly 100 points in its Suffolk County title win against Half Hollow Hills West, clung to a two-point lead after three quarters and then registered 25 in the final period alone for a 65-50 win at Farmingdale State College to advance to the Southeast Regional Final against Rye.
The Cyclones, who captured the Nassau County Class AA crown March 7, saw their memorable season end at 19-4 overall just short of the program’s first Long Island trophy since 2023.
“Smithtown West was tough and they played physical,” said 24th-year South Side head coach Jerry DeAngelo. “I thought we battled for about three quarters and then towards the end we missed a lot of shots and didn't play as good a defense as we played for that first three quarters.”
Senior guard Michael Cascione took over the game for Smithtown West in the fourth quarter with several big baskets as part of a game-high 30- point performance. Cascione hit a key three-pointer with 1:49 left to extend the Bulls’ lead to 54-45.
“He is an absolute beast,” said Smithtown West head coach Michael Agostino of Cascione, who helped pace the Bulls to the program's first Long Island title on his birthday.
The Cyclones raced out of the gate strong with an early 9-0 run to lead 9-1 and were up 13-10 after the first quarter. South Side continued the momentum in the second quarter and took a 26-23 lead into halftime.
South Side’s offense was led largely by seniors John Pericolosi with 19 points and Ryan Schmitt with 14. The All-County honorees and three-year starters played all 32 minutes of their final game in a Cyclones’ uniform.
“We couldn't afford to not have them on the floor in this type of game that's very physical, where it's going to be taxing,” DeAngelo said of Pericolosi and Schmitt. “They have been the cornerstone for our program the last three years.”
Senior Robert Griffo and junior Matt Grande both finished with 5 points apiece for South Side. Griffo hit a three-pointer with 1:34 left to keep it in striking distance at 54-48 before Smithtown West's game-ending 11-2 run.
Junior Jax Cascione, a younger brother of Michael, was also clutch under the championship lights with 12 points. Senior Tim Bannell finished with 11 points.
The 65 points by Smithtown West thanks to a big fourth quarter was the team’s first time not reaching 70 since a 69-65 win against Northport Jan. 28. The Bulls have now 22 in a row since falling to Baldwin 82-72 in the second game of the season Dec. 6.
“We played extremely hard and shared the ball,” said Agostino of what keyed the fourth-quarter run to seal the title. “They love to compete and they gave it everything they have.”
