Cascione Returns, Leads Bulls to Suffolk Class AA Title After Comeback

Michael Cascione poured in 28 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished eight assists as top-seeded Smithtown West routed No. 2 Half Hollow Hills West, 98-68, Saturday at Stony Brook University to win the Suffolk County Class AA championship, finishing the season 22-1, Newsday reported.

The victory ended a painful streak for the program: Smithtown West had lost in the county final the previous two years. Cascione, a senior who also suited up at Stony Brook for the school’s football team, said at media day he was “angry” entering the basketball season and, after the title, told reporters, “I’m so happy; you don’t understand,” adding, “I’ve wanted this my whole high school career. When I was a freshman, I was like, ‘I want to win a county championship,’ and I did it,” Newsday reported.

Cascione’s county-final dominance was foreshadowed by his return to the lineup in the semifinal two weeks earlier. TBR News Media’s Steven Zaitz reported that on Feb. 28 at Smithtown West’s gym the senior point guard, wearing his familiar number 11 after missing the previous playoff game against West Islip, scored 25 points with seven rebounds and six assists in a 72-58 win over Half Hollow Hills East. Zaitz wrote, “There was an extra buzz back in the building as the Smithtown West Bulls took on the Half Hollow Hills East RedHawks for the right to play for the Suffolk County Class AA championship.”

The semifinal swung in the closing moments of the first half, when Luke Brown hit a 3 with about six minutes remaining, hit another on the next possession, and guard Tim Bannell drove in for a layup to make it 20-14, Zaitz reported. Hills East countered with a 7-0 run, but Bannell scored on a midrange jumper and Cascione “hit a twisting, buzzer-beating floater in the lane to give the Bulls a 31-24 lead at the half,” Zaitz wrote. In the second half Cascione slashed to the basket and “this time hit the free throw,” the lead ballooned to 16 with five minutes remaining, and Brown’s fifth 3 provided “the dagger” as Coach Mike Agostino emptied his bench with the lead at 19 and under three minutes to play.

Newsday’s box score from the county final highlighted Smithtown West’s depth: Brown finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists after scoring 14 of those points in a seven-minute burst early; Casey Burton had 19 points and 12 rebounds with 16 of his points in the third quarter; Evan Lutzer added 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. Newsday also noted a 47-24 halftime lead and that West held about a 34-point advantage entering the fourth quarter.

Smithtown West now prepares for the Long Island championship, where Newsday reports the Bulls will face South Side at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Farmingdale State, with Coach Mike Agostino and a senior-led roster aiming to extend a banner season.