Since we started our weekly rankings, the Marauders have been our ranked squad on Long Island. They hosted No. 4 Half Hollow Hills East who is off to a great start despite a tough non-league loss to Dewitt Clinton at the buzzer. We were excited for one of the best matchups on Long Island this season.
We saw the gym start to fill up as 6’1” PG Carter Wilson (Bay Shore HS, NY ‘25) knocked down a three, 6’4” SG Skyler Ellis (Half Hollow Hills HS East, NY ‘26) scored but 6’2” SG Corey Faines Bay Shore ‘26 answered with a two. Hills East 6’0” PG Brandon Varlack (Half Hollow Hills HS East, NY Hills ’25) got loose for two, Faines scored, and the Red Hawks finished a layup. The Marauders buried a three, but Hills responded with a triple. Varlack broke down the defense for two, Wilson hit a three, and Varlack scored again but so did Wilson.
Hills East hit a three to take the lead, Bay Shore hit a free throw, and Ellis hit back-to-back threes. The Marauders connected on a three to end the first quarter. East led by three, Bayshore hit two free throws and missed two after a suspect foul. Varlack tossed the ball to the ref and the other ref called him for an awful tech getting him in foul trouble. The call was horrible. Bay Shore made all four free throws, and Ellis scored for East. Marauders scored inside, and Hills answered.
Elli scored after a turnover, Faines scored inside, Bay Shore got another bucket and then Faines converted a big and1. Hills got 1/2 free throws from Ellis, and Bay Shore scored. Hills answered but Faines finished a putback. Red Hawks missed, Faines made two free throws, and Bay Shore stole the ball. Wilson finished it for two to give them a 42-32 lead. The Marauders got two free throws to start the third quarter from Faines. Hills scored, Bay Shore missed and Varlack scored.
Wilson made a beautiful move for two, Varlack hit a three, and the Marauders missed. Hills connected a three, but Faines scored in the paint again. Hills missed, Faines hit a shot, and Varlack scored. Wilson hit back-to-back triples and then Varlack sprinted past everyone for two. Bay Shore split a pair at the line, and Varlack made both of his. The Marauders missed, and Hills East made two more freebies. Wilson got hammered when he missed a three.
He made 2/3 to give Bay Shore a 59-50 lead to end the third quarter. East hit a three, and Bay Shore’s big scored. Ellis hit a triple, and the Marauders missed. Ellis made both free throws and Wilson drove to the basket he was called for a charge. The Hills got back-to-back buckets to take the lead, Wilson knocked down a three, and Hills scored. Bay Shore missed but took a big charge. The score was tied with under four minutes to go when Ellis converted a clutch and1.
Wilson scored a quick two, and Hills turned it over. Bay Shore converted an and1, Varlack found his teammate for two, and Bay Shore tried to win it at the buzzer they got blocked and headed into overtime. Varlack broke down the defense for a layup, and Wilson scored. East hit a shot, Faines answered then got another bucket. Hills scored to tie it back up. Bay Shore got fouled but no call and then fouled East for no reason.
East took the lead after sinking both baskets. Bay Shore got a questionable foul call plus it was chaos when Hills tried to sub. We never bash the refs but have to be honest they really struggled in the game especially late. The Marauders tied it up, East killed the clock, went towards the sideline, and when they got trapped. The refs blew the whistle for a push.
We didn’t see it, but Varlack stepped up making the first basket with just six on the clock. He missed the second, and East swarmed Wilson. Bay Shore got the ball up the court, and they got a quality look, but it rimmed out. Hills East won 78-77 with Varlack being named MVP with 20 points despite being in foul trouble. Ellis added 21 points for East, and Wilson had a game-high 27 points for Bay Shore with Faines adding 23 points. This was just part one of this exciting series who seem like a lock to compete for the Suffolk Championship.
