LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win.

On Wednesday, January 4, the Sullivan West Bulldogs (2-6) hosted the Lions of Chapel Field (0-3) in a non-league varsity boys’ game of hoops.

Both teams were “bench light,” as Sullivan West had only four players in reserve, while the visitors had two waiting on the bench: both squads were missing starters due to a combination of injuries and sickness.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first frame until, at 5:18, their opponents put up two, but it was a little too late, as the home team carried the period 20-4.

In the remaining frames, the scoring was a bit more even, as Sullivan West edged the Lions in the second and third periods 14-12 and 12-2.

The final period was helter-skelter basketball, as the action under the Dawgs glass was fast and furious.

It was try, try and try again as Sullivan West kept on truckin’ for rebounds until a player was fouled in the frenzy.

And that sometimes equaled a few points on the scoreboard—not a lot, but every point counts in the end.

In the closing period, the Lions took a 12-3 bite out of the Bulldogs, but at the final buzzer it was a 49-37 win for Sullivan West, their second victory of the season and also their second home stand.

The numbers game for Sullivan West: Alex Unser (a team high of 15 points), Austin Melchick (10), Kyle Reimer (8 including two 3s). Chapel Field: Jeremy Torres (a game leading 19 points with a 3), Brody Sung (7 and a 3).

Stats from the free-throw line: SW 9/13 (69%); CF 7/11 (64%).

“We’re a work in progress… we’ve got guys in and out all year,” said Chapel Field’s veteran coach Joe Canazon, adding that he hopes “the freshmen will give us a decent bench” on the way to sectional competition.

John Meyer is in the second season as coach of the Bulldogs.

His take on the game?

“Even though we won, we missed too many easy baskets… they play hard; they work hard.”

Meyer’s recipe for basketball success?

“We’ve got to get into the gym, make the shots, and we can’t turn the ball over… we’ve got to get back to fundamentals.”

If you believe in omens, the flaring red sunset highlighted by distinctive cloud formations over Lake Huntington was a sign of good things to come for the Bulldogs.

“Red sky at night, sailors delight,” goes the old seafaring saying, part of an ancient mariners’ rhyme.

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