Greenport’s ‘D’ looks sharp

ROCKY POINT — Long and athletic, the Greenport boys basketball team comes into every game with the same approach: force turnovers with good defense and get on the break. And when it’s Dantrà Langhorne out to finish a break, good things tend to happen.

Tuesday night, in the second half of a Town of Brookhaven Summer League game against Shoreham-Wading River, Langhorne stole a ball near midcourt and found an open lane to the hoop. He finished with a two-handed reverse dunk, his second slam of the game. The first came five and a half minutes into the second half.

Led by Langhorne’s 15 points, the Porters’ athleticism was too much for the Wildcats to overcome. Greenport improved to 5-0 in the small school division of the summer league with a 41-27 victory in a game in which the Porters never trailed at Rocky Point High School. It was the Wildcats’ first loss, dropping them to 4-1.

For the coaches of both teams, they’ve seen a lot of good things from their players through the midway point of the summer league.

“They seem to be having a lot more confidence,” said Greenport Coach Rodney Shelby. “They definitely matured from last summer.”

Defense has been the focal point for Shelby and the players have responded. Through five games, Greenport has allowed the fewest points of any team in the league.

“Only one team was getting second and third shots,” Shelby said. “Other than that we’ve been limiting teams to one shot, two shots and then get the ball out running.”

Shoreham-Wading River Coach Kevin Culhane thought his team adjusted well to the press Greenport threw its way at the start of the game. The Wildcats simply couldn’t convert on some early opportunities.

“We missed a couple bunnies,” he said. “They had a little bit of a run and Dantrà hit a couple nice shots. For a small school, they can play big schools.”

The disappointment of an earlier than normal playoff exit last season has fueled the Porters. Langhorne provided most of the offense last season and the Porters hope with the development of their other players, they can become more balanced.

“Now everybody’s chipping in,” Shelby said. “When you have a balanced scoring attack, it definitely makes it easier for your team.”

Jalen Shelby scored six points for the Porters and Tremayne Hansen added five.

“Everybody’s working hard, leaving it on the floor,” Shelby said. “I’m proud of everyone that’s come in and is working.”

Culhane said he likes the improvement he has seen in two of his big men, Mike Clancy and John Kovach.

“Those are two kids who I think we’re really going to build upon with Davis,” he said.