Long Island boys and girls basketball's Hardwood Heroes
Annalyn Loiacono of Smithtown Christian Credit: Neil Miller
BOYS BASKETBALL
Osagie Ekhator, Elmont: He had a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double in a 52-38 win over Jamestown in the state Class AA semifinals.
Isaiah McCarter, Smithtown Christian: He had 22 points and 17 rebounds, including 12 offensive boards, in a 51-46 loss to North Warren Central in the state Class D semifinals.
Cassius Moore, Elmont: He scored 17 points and made three three-pointers in a 52-38 win over Jamestown in the state Class AA semifinals.
Christian Smiley, Bay Shore: He had 15 points and 10 rebounds in a 56-42 win over Niagara Falls in the state Class AAA semifinals.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Ryan Currier, Kings Park: She scored 15 points, including the go-ahead bucket with 26.8 seconds left and a free throw for the game’s final point with 18 seconds left, in a 32-30 win over Cold Spring Harbor in the Long Island Class A championship.
Iris Hoffman, Whitman: She scored 23 points and made four three-pointers in a 60-51 loss to Our Lady of Lourdes in the state Class AAA semifinals.
Annalyn Loiacono, Smithtown Christian: She scored 25 points and made six three-pointers in a 69-45 loss to Cherry-Valley Springfield in the Class D Southeast Regional final.
Melanie New, Kings Park: She scored 18 points on six three-pointers in a 69-51 loss to Walter Panas in the state Class A semifinals.
Allie Twible, East Meadow: She scored 18 points in a 51-46 win over Westhampton in the Long Island Class AA championship.
Charlotte Viola, East Meadow: She scored 22 points and made four three-pointers in an 89-51 loss to Albertus Magnus in the state Class AA semifinals.
Ben Dickson joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins' teams.