Lions-Raiders Preview

The Longwood basketball team takes on Patchogue-Medford Tuesday in the Class AA quarterfinals for a chance to advance to the semifinals against the winner of Lindenhurst/Bay Shore. The Lions have beaten the Raiders twice this season, but both games have been close. The Raiders feature a dynamic scorer in Marcus Stroman, who can take over a game with his shooting ability. He can score from anywhere on the court. Expect the Lions to mix up their looks at him defensively with Tajric Boggs and Kyle Weeks getting the early assignment. As with any good scorer, you want to force him to take tough, contested shots. If he gets easy looks early in the game, that could allow him to get hot, at which point it doesn't matter if his shots are contested.

Jordan Jackson scored 20 points in the Raiders' playoff opener so the Lions will have to keep an eye on him as well. They'll also need to get a body on the 6-8 center, Nick Sergio. He doesn't have great range, but if he's left open down low he'll control the boards and get second chance opportunities. The Lions will rely on Jimmy Knudsen and Marcus Hunter to grab the boards.

The Raiders were competitive in all six games against their top League I rivals this year but went only 1-5 in those games. Their one win came at Lindenhurst Jan. 16, 71-68. Sergio had 20 points in that win. The Lions can't let that happen Tuesday. Stroman will get his points, but they can't allow the other guys to put up a big number as well. In their five losses they lost by an average of 5.6 points.

History has been on the Lions' side as of late in the rivalry. In the last three years they've won five out of six games.

Jan. 24, '09: Longwood 68, Pat-Med 62

Dec. 16, '08: Longwood 69, Pat-Med 65

Jan. 29, '08: Pat-Med 73, Longwood 66

Jan. 5, '08: Longwood 69, Pat-Med 65

Feb. 12, '07: Longwood 73, Pat-Med 54

Jan. 19, '07: Longwood 58, Pat-Med 58