The Syosset Braves started their basketball season with a 66-56 victory over Mepham High School last Thursday. The Braves started the game off with anxiousness and made some mental mistakes, which led to numerous turnovers, but by the middle of the first quarter they gained confidence and took over the game.

The Braves led by 17 going into the second half, but Mepham cut Syosset's lead to 12 going into the fourth quarter. Mepham's point guard, Ment, led his team with 20 points and used his athleticism to slide through the Braves defense. Mepham hadn't been succesful from long range the entire night until Bauer hit three 3-point shots to cut Syosset's lead to eight points. In the final minutes of the game, when their point deficit grew, Mepham's frustration was displayed on the court, and two players were ejected, as well as two fans.

Junior Ryan Krochak, and Senior Stu Coleman accounted for more than half of Syosset's points with Krochak leading the Braves with 22 points, and Coleman with 15. It was an impressive start to Krochak's Varsity career, after he was one of the premier players on Syosset's Junior Varsity last year. Coleman continued his offensive and defensive dominance with his first double-double of the season which included 22 points and 10 rebounds. Coleman is Syosset's go-to-guy and will do whatever it takes for the Braves to have a succesful season.

Congratulations Braves' on starting the season with a victory!