We are watching history being made at East Hampton High School. Their formula is very simple, to keep winning. If you haven’t already heard, for the first time since 1977, the East Hampton Boys Basketball team enjoyed an undefeated regular season for the Suffolk County Class A division, and they have developed a fan base and an excitement about East Hampton High School that I personally (I was born and raised in East Hampton) have never before seen at the school. The record for Bonac is now 20-0.

Their undefeated season, which can be described as unbelievable, has now turned their focus on the league title. They put yet another notch in Bonac’s shotgun last Monday night, with a win against Shoreham Wading River that earned them the right to play John Glenn for the semi-finals. Twenty teams have now faced this East Hampton squad, and all twenty have succumbed to their skills on the court and their coach, Ed Petrie’s skills, off the court.

The scene at East Hampton High School on Monday night was like watching a sports glory movie. The bleachers were packed, and when I say packed, I mean that an announcement was made stating, “We are at full capacity, please be aware.” It was not just relatives in the stands. Arguably, the whole town, along with people from all related towns like Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, and Southampton, was there rooting for this team as they went to work. This team has a remarkable focus at every game. They don’t let up, they have a will to win in their eyes, and if they get tired, they don’t show it.

Every basket was a swish, followed by an outrageous cheer. And the East Hampton boys dazzled not only their spectators, but their opponents as well.

East Hampton’s captain and leader, Mikey Russell, scored an unbelievable 15 points in the first quarter of the game, giving the Bonackers a lead. His point total for the entire game was 27, not an uncommon number for the 5’-10” junior. Marcus Edwards nailed in another 21 points with 8 rebounds. The final score was East Hampton 75, Shoreham Wading River, 51.

You can tell Mikey has his eyes on winning the county championship, from the famous championship game held at Stony Brook University, in which he played last year, but suffered a stinging loss by one basket. He is willing himself to be in that arena again, but first he has to go through John Glenn on Thursday.

As I speak to these boys on the telephone for quotes or statistics, there is one thing I notice more than anything, and that is their respect for their coach, their respect for the game and their sharp, laser-like focus on their next opponent. Almost all comments revolve around the team gelling, and not on themselves as individuals. They talk about how they hope to win for their coach, or for the betterment of the team, and it is this chemistry and mindset that is so rare. As a team, they have the confidence to rely on each other and to trust their teammates on and off the court. Of course, it is this mindset that leads to winning basketball games.

Coach Ed Petrie is having a year that he’ll remember for awhile and Thursday night’s home game, against John Glenn, could be, besides the step into the finals, his 700th win and his boys know it. Jarred Bowe, a forward for Bonac, said, “I think he’s a legend and that his record and character speaks for itself. My focus is on giving him his 700th win Thursday.”

Jarred Bowe’s mother, Daisy, last saw excitement like this when her stepson played on the Killer Bees championship team years ago, and she feels incredibly excited to see Jarred experience something like this.

It is hard not to think ahead to the championship game at Stony Brook, and the fire of Mikey Russell, who is licking his chops for that chance. You can see this fire in every game he plays. The junior remembers vividly last year’s opportunity that was missed. He’s not going to let that happen again.

But that is not the way Bonac thinks. They are thinking about Thursday and by the time you read this, the stomping of feet on the bleachers will be heard in East Hampton.

20 Wins 0 Losses

East Hampton Bonackers Head Toward the County Championship