Boys Basketball: Blue Waves one win away from playoffs

BLUE WAVES 47, WOLVERINES 37

Junior guard Ryan Bitzer scored six of his team-high 16 points during a 4:26 span late in the game to help the Riverhead High School boys baskebtall team to a 47-37 victory over visiting Newfield High in a Suffolk County League III game on Tuesday night.

Despite shooting only 23 percent from the field, the Blue Waves (7-8, 5-4) won, thanks to a ball-hawking defense that forced 20 turnovers by Newfield (2-12, 1-7).

The Blue Waves, who need only one victory in their final three regular-season games to clinch a Class A playoff berth, went on a 13-5 spurt over the final 4:27 of the second quarter to enter halftime with a 24-15 lead.

Junior Willie Jackson led the Wolverines with 19 points.