Girls Basketball: Shorthanded Tuckers keep winning

The Mattituck High School girls basketball coach, Steve Van Dood, did not have enough players to hold an intrasquad scrimmage on Monday night, but he certainly had more than enough talent to win a game and remain unbeaten this season.

Despite having players only nine players due to illness and vacation, the Tuckers still made quick work of Southampton in a 68-28 home victory in the Suffolk County League VII game.

When you have players such as Liz Dwyer, Corinne Reda and Katie Hoeg, a team can overcome such an obstacle. The Tuckers have proven to be a difficult team to beat.

Dwyer led the way with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. Reda added 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals, and Hoeg finished with 8 points and 12 rebounds. Jane DiGregorio chipped in 8 points.

The first-place Tuckers (6-0, 5-0) led from the opening  minute when Dwyer converted a rebound with the game only 35 seconds old.

After the Mariners (1-4, 1-4) moved to within 7-5 on Tavia Jeffries’ 3-point basket with 4:14 remaining in the first quarter, the Tuckers went on a 14-0 tear. They scored seven baskets on layups to take command of the game and a 21-5 advantage. Dwyer and DiGregorio each sank two buckets during the surge as Hoeg, Alex Beebe and Alya Ayoub contributed one apiece.

Mattituck extended its lead to 36-15 at the half.

Gianni Willis, who played most of the game in foul trouble, led the Mariners with 10 points.