Boys Basketball: Slow start finishes Wildcats in Miller Place

Shoreham-Wading River could not recover from a nightmare start as the Wildcats suffered a 56-41 non-league defeat at Miller Place in high school boys basketball Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers bolted out to a 14-2 advantage with one minute and 52 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.

Several times the Wildcats (6-3) tried to surge back into the game, but Miller Place (5-5), backed by the long-range shooting of Christian Loretta (game-high 17 points), kept the visitors at bay the rest of the game.

Shoreham battled back to pull within 18-9 at the end of the first period, but Miller Place ruled the roost in the second stanza. That’s when Loretta  connected for eight points, mostly on the strength of two three-point shots. The Panthers enjoyed a 34-15 halftime lead.

The Panthers extended their lead to 40-18 with 5:35 left in the third quarter before the Wildcats reeled off 12 consecutive points to move within 40-30 at the end of the period as Liam Mahoney (team-high nine points) and Ken DeGolyer tallied four points apiece. The Wildcats, however, could not get any closer.

Shoreham has a busy week ahead, with three vital Suffolk County League VIII games. The Wildcats will host Bayport-Blue Point Tuesday, visit Elwood/John Glenn Thursday and play Southampton at home next Saturday.

Photo caption: Shoreham-Wading River’s Liam Mahoney (nine points) takes aim for a shot while Miller Place’s Tyler Ammirato tries to get a hand in his face. (Credit: Garret Meade)