Island Trees High School had one of the best basketball teams in Nassau County this year and if you were not in the gyms watching the games they played, you probably weren't even aware of it.

Pre-season seeding was the first component in the scenario. Seeded number 11 meant box scores but no lines of coverage, much less headlines, in Newsday.

Then old devil injury stepped in. The two tallest, and also very talented, players on the team, Shane Brunette and James Squigna were unable to participate in the first five games of the season. Island Trees was now a team with just one player over 6'- Jerry Sampson.

A savvy and tough player, Sampson was constantly fighting double and triple teaming in the paint and still managed to score above his normal scoring total. Gregory Salvage played point guard like a man possessed. Driving to the hoop, twisting in mid-air, and somehow getting the rocket in the hole he would score. Using that opener he then drew opposing players to himself and would then find Gerard VanLeuvan, Damon Moore, Ronnie Olivero or some player who was open and with a crisp pass allow that player to score.

They fought valiantly but were about even in games won and lost. Then things picked up. Shane Brunette returned and gave more dimension to the defense and offense, sometimes out-rebounding the opponents team total by a wide margin. Blocking shots and scoring, the team gained momentum. The wins started to outnumber the losses. Then James Squigna returned, with his scoring, shot blocking, steals, and ball handling. Island Trees was now the team no one wanted to play.

Three pointers by Salvage and VanLeuvan and putbacks by Brunette off the offensive boards and game-saving shots by Moore or different players put Island Trees in the playoffs.

Game one of the playoffs was played at Roslyn. Island Trees came forth with a decisive win. Salvage's pull up jump shots, Squigna's running of the floor end-to-end, finishing with a driving layup and score, Shane Brunette's racking up of blocked shots and rebounds, scoring on his patented dropstep-turnaround jump shot landing softly in the net, three pointers from the usual suspects Salvage, VanLeuvan, and Olivero all resulted in Island Trees' convincing win.

Game two was a tight defensive game against Roosevelt with neither team giving an inch. It was a hard-fought win for Island Trees.

Game three was played against Bellmore JFK. In the first minute of the semi-final game against JFK Salvage drove in for a layup and was fouled and knocked to the floor. It seemed to be a thigh bruise. Slower than usual at point guard, but with everyone contributing, the team scoring was built throughout the game and topped by a three point score made when Salvage spotted VanLeuvan uncovered in the left corner. VanLeuvan caught the pass from Salvage and calmly drained the three pointer to give Island Trees the lead. With seconds to go, exhibiting defense, defense that had become their late season trademark, the best shooting player on Bellmore JFK's team was unable to find an open man to pass to and was forced to take a desperate three-point shot which was blocked by Squigna to seal the win. This win occurred in front of about 1400 fans at Massapequa High School, a neutral site as per Nassau County rules. Island Trees was off to the finals.

Now before some 1600 fans at Massapequa High School, six days later, the opponent was Seaford High School a team Island Trees had beaten during the regular season, minus Squigna. During those six days Salvage was being treated for a bruised thigh. The injury to Salvage was worse than expected. The lead shifted back and forth the entire game. The fans went wild as each basket was scored, first one side of the gym and then the other. Everyone scored for Island Trees except for their season-long sparkplug Greg Salvage. His coach, seeing his dilemma took him out more and more. With time running out Salvage came back for one last chance. Left open, he scored a three point basket, his only score of the game. Island Trees led by three. Seaford then scored two consecutive three point baskets. Then Ronnie Olivero scored a three pointer. Pandemonium began. Fouls called in the last minute and a half, being converted by Seaford, gave Seaford the win.

After going for a second opinion, and a just-to-be safe x-ray, it was determined that Salvage had a fractured kneecap. An operation was performed forthwith, screwing the two pieces together. He played the semi-final and championship games with that injury. Salvage was voted All-County First Team for his season-long performance. Shane Brunette, with his shortened season, was voted All-County Second Team. For an even shorter season, James Squigna was voted All-Conference and sharpshooting Gerard VanLeuvan was awarded honorable mention.

Island Trees Coach Bob Young, now the dean of coaches in Nassau County, based on performances and seniority, got a season that took him this close to a county championship. Way to go Dawgs!