Southampton - At the first annual SYS Holiday Classic, the Southampton boys basketball team learned the hard way - yet learned nevertheless - about the danger of leaving a game in the balance. The Mariners also learned a few things about themselves in the two-day bash on their home floor, and although their bid to become the tourney's first ever champ fell short, they also learned what they're made of.

In the championship game, Southampton left the slimmest of windows open for The Dalton School to squeeze through and force overtime. A controversial foul call in the waning moments of regulation and the free throws that followed had forced overtime and a late bucket by the New York City-based school in that extra frame proved to the difference in the Tigers' 64-63 victory over Southampton. It came just hours after the Mariners defeated Bridgehampton in the semifinal round the night before.

Southampton's Donovan Trent tries to avoid the block from Canaan Campbell as he goes up for a shot in transition.

Head coach Herm Lamison, although disappointed with the result in the title game that was moved up five hours due to the looming inclement weather Saturday, was pleased with the overall effort.

"I think the effort and intensity was much better that it has been," Lamison said. "We're still growing and still working some kinks out. Winning in itself is big to me. It goes a long way for the psyche of the kids. The way they played the game, they deserved to win it, but at the same time, I can count 7-10 plays where we didn't do what we were supposed to do and that cost us in the end."

Southampton held a 55-53 lead when Smith was fouled with 1.9 seconds remaining in the game. He went to the free throw line for a pair, drilled the first but missed the second. The ball was tipped and a Dalton player collected the rebound. At that time, a Mariner momentarily grabbed his jersey, the Tiger broke free, took two or three dribbles and launched a shot from three-quarter-court, one that officials deemed had not only beaten the buzzer but that the contact was significant enough to call a shooting foul. That set the Tigers up for three free throws, and the perfect trip to the line they forced overtime. Dalton again came through in the clutch as a late bucket gave it the one-point win.

D'Angelo Smith carried Southampton (3-1, 1-0 League VII) in the title game, racking up 29 points and 15 rebounds in a losing effort. "He has the ability to do it inside, outside, he can handle the ball; he just has to bring that consistent effort and intensity night in and night out," Lamison said.

The Mariners reached the semis with a 62-52 triumph over Bridgehampton (0-4, 0-1 League VIII) in the semifinals on Friday. They opened up a double-digit lead early and kept the Bees at arm's length for the rest of the game. Bridgehampton closed to within seven at 57-50 with 3:57 remaining on a Canaan Campbell three-pointer but Southampton, behind Kyle Hermann's 24 points and 11 rebounds, was able to prevail the move onto Saturday's title game.

Bridgehampton guard Ainsley Wyche gains a step on Southampton's Sean Johnson along the left sideline.

"He was real big," Lamison said of Hermann. "I think he only missed one shot the entire game. We've always had high hopes for this kid. He's not playing over his head; he's doing what he's capable of doing. He's always been a real good shooter since seventh grade and as far as consistency and leadership, he's one of our guys."

The weekend performance was a statement for the Mariners, who were impressive in a semifinal win and were in position to win the championship. They're back on their feet on Tuesday when they visit Port Jefferson for a 6:45 tip. They'll then take a week off before facing third-place finisher East Hampton, which upended Bridgehampton 64-50 in the third place game.

In beating the Killer Bees, Bonac (4-1, 1-0 League V) received a career-high 31 points from senior Tyler Brenneman as well as 10 rebounds. Brenneman, who will play lacrosse at Notre Dame next year, had tallied a career-best 27 just four days earlier in East Hampton's victory over Westhampton. Arron Hillman added 18 in the tournament win. However, the Bonackers' inexperience showed in the opener against Dalton, which opened up a 33-14 halftime lead and never looked back.

For Bridgehampton, Cesar Banados had a team-high 21 in the Bees' loss to Southampton on Friday. Ainsley Wyche led the charge in the consolation game with 18. The Bridgies dropped to 0-3 on the year and face defending Class D champion Greenport on Tuesday.

The tournament was arranged by SYS Executive Director Scott Johnson, who said he wanted to rekindle local rivalries that were once fierce on the East End. Funds raised from the event went toward the SYS Scholarship Fund and East End food pantries.

"I think it's a beautiful thing," Lamison said. "It's been lost over the years with the realignment of the leagues. It's a treat for the kids as well as the people in the community. I think people want that sense of community and to re-establish the rivalries we had years ago."

Weather Wreaks Havoc
Monday's slate of games was wiped out by the weekend storm. Both the Westhampton/John Glenn (4:30) and Bayport-Blue Point/East Hampton (6:15) were rescheduled for Wednesday, December 23. The Pierson-Hampton Bays girls game has not yet been rescheduled.