By Fred Stabbert III
LAKE HUNTINGTON — The Sullivan West Bulldogs are in.
With a win Friday night against non-league opponent Tuxedo, the Bulldogs upped their season record to 9-4, thereby earning an invite to the Section IX playoffs.
“It was a big win,” Bulldogs Coach Bruce Nober said. “That was our goal [this season], to qualify for playoffs.”
Coach Nober said he was happy his team earned a spot so early in the season, but his team could have been a little sharper against Tuxedo.
“Tuxedo was a strong, aggressive team who played physical basketball,” Nober said.
Tuxedo, which dropped to 3-9, played the Bulldogs very physical and used a height advantage at nearly every position to do some damage on the boards.
The Bulldogs nipped the Tornadoes, 50-47, behind a strong effort from Matt Cardona, who scored a game-high 19 points.
“He stepped up big when we need him to,” Nober said. “Especially in the third quarter with a couple of steals.”
E.J. Franskevicz pumped in 10 points for Sullivan West, while Patrick Pierce added nine points.
But a week’s layoff and a missed day of practice due to the weather had the Bulldogs a little rusty.
“We have two games this week, which will hopefully get us back [in stride],” Nober said. “We are at The Family School on Tuesday [tonight] and play home against Eldred on Thursday.
“We will continue to take it one game at a time,” Nober said, relaying that more wins will help his team “earn the best seed we possibly can for the playoffs.
“You want to be playing your best basketball when the time comes,” he said.