The Boys Basketball A and AA Long Island Championships will be played at Nassau Coliseum on Sunday, March 10:

• Class AA: Uniondale at Brentwood, 8 p.m.
• Class A: Manhasset at Wyandanch, 6 p.m.

For online tickets: Linets.spinzo.com/lic

Center Moriches senior Sean Braitwaite is the program’s all-time leading scorer and also reached a significant career plateau this past week: 1,500 points!

Savion Lewis was named New York’s Mr. Basketball as the top prep baller in the state. He was also named as the top male winter student-athlete by Section XI. 

This personal essay is a reflection written by Savion, debuting a new seasonal feature, putting the pen in the hands of our Section XI student-athletes. 

By Savion Lewis

Wow. What a very blessed senior high school basketball season I had. A D1 college basketball scholarship to Quinnipiac University. A very successful season both for my team and individually. An undefeated league season and championship. A repeat Suffolk County championship. A long awaited Long Island championship. New York State Mr. Basketball Award as the best player in the state. Numerous player of the year awards throughout the city, county, and state. School record setting numbers and accolades. I could not have scripted it any better.

Man, I really remember my journey. I recall being in the eighth grade about to head to high school after playing very well and being one of the best point guards throughout my middle school AAU experience. I had already played on and become MVP of the Hills East junior varsity so there was a lot of speculation on where I would play in high school.

I was faced with pressure from several angles. Opponents I played against as well as coaches and parents were all trying to guess where I would play in high school. Everybody had ideas and suggestions of what they thought was best for me, so I could earn a D1 college basketball scholarship. It was the very thing all players are striving for, so this was going to be the first of my major decisions.

Having always been a conservative and controlled decision maker, I had to reflect within myself to figure out the best situation. It’s been a ride full of challenges to overcome and that has allowed me to demonstrate the discipline and faith to succeed through those tests.

I told my dad that I wanted to go to Hills East to build the program and create a legacy. My dad advised that it would be a very hard task, especially given my physical stature of about 5-foot-6 at the time, and the school did not have a major tradition of winning in basketball.

He thought I deserved better opportunities for my skill set, but I just had this inner belief and feeling that it could be done. I wanted to establish my own legacy, not follow, or extend something others have already done.

Along the way, I heard it all.

“You should transfer because you will never win there”

Four-year result

• 67-26 record over 4 years
• 3 League Championships
• Back-to-back Suffolk County championship
• Long Island Championship
• New York State championship runner-up
• 9 overall New York state ranking
• Widespread media coverage and award recognition

“Nobody is ever going to recruit or scout you way out there”

Four-year result

• Recruited by over 20 Division I programs
• Several Division I offers (before this season)
• Signed with Quinnipiac University of the MAAC Conference on a full Division I basketball scholarship

“You are too small for big time”

Four-year result

• Grew from 5’-6” to 6’-1”
• Quote by Fios Announcers in 2017 Suffolk County championship broadcast: “Savion Lewis reminds me of Stephon Marbury. Not because of the number three or the hair style. Big time player! Did you see the dunk show he put on in the warmups? Kid has serious bounce!”

“You can’t shoot the jumper well”

Four-year result

• Freshman season: 0 three-pointers made
• Sophomore season: 8 three-pointers made
• Junior season: 23 three-pointers made
• Senior season: 58 three-pointers made on 42 percent shooting from three

 “You are a Long Island Player. Long Island Players can’t play”

Four-year result

• NEW YORK STATE Class AA scoring leader at 33.5 PPG
• NEW YORK STATE Mr. Basketball Player of the Year
• NEW YORK STATE Sportswriters ALL NEW YORK STATE Player of the Year
• USA Today NEW YORK STATE 1^st Team Selection
• NEW YORK STATE Gatorade Player of the Year Runner Up
• TWO-TIME 1^ST team All-NEW YORK STATE Selection
• McDonald’s All-American Team Nominee (one of only eight selected in NEW YORK STATE)
• Career Stats: 1,866 points, 361 rebounds, 540 assists & 217 steals

We are all Blessed by God with the special ability to do special things. The important thing is to find that special thing you are skilled at, and let that drive your passion. Then fully believe in your commitment to succeed at that task, whatever it may be. Through God all things are truly possible. God Bless.