The Manhasset HS boys' varsity basketball team won its third overtime game of the year on Saturday at Manhasset High School in the first round of the Nassau County "A" playoffs against a determined 13th seed Valley Stream North (VSN).

The game was tight the whole way as VSN and Manhasset both showed strong defense throughout the contest. The Indians were up 10-6 after quarter one, but it was a struggle. At halftime, VSN led 19-18, and even getting a shot off was difficult for both teams.

The combination of Frank Coughlin (7 points, 7 rebounds) and Anthony Tompkins (10 rebounds) really shut down the two big men of VSN, as Patrick Judge (14 points, 6 rebounds) got the crucial job of covering the quick, savvy, and high scoring All-County guard John Kenny.

The second half proved that this game would be down to the wire as both teams traded leads and baskets. Chris Zaccherio hit two big three-pointers in the second half. Point guard Eric Fitzig played tremendous defense and was a big-time offensive catalyst for the Indians. But as time ran out of the fourth quarter and the Indians holding a three-point lead, it was VSN's Kenny who banked an improbable and awkwardly released three-point shot to tie the game at the end of regulation time at 42.

In overtime, the tight defense continued until Judge became open on the left side and hit a big three-pointer to put the Indians up 45-42. Then, with under a minute left, VSN tied the game with a drive and foul shot, and the score was knotted at 45. A turnover by the Indians gave the ball to VSN under the Indians basket with 28 seconds to play. Amazing defense by the Indians kept VSN from inbounding the pass on two occasions, forcing a turnover, and putting the Indians in position to win.

After quickly working the ball around, Scott Madison (7 points) took it to the hoop, got hammered by a foul, went to the line and calmly sank both free throws in dramatic fashion to put the Indians up for good. A missed shot by VSN, and another foul shot by Judge ended the game at 48-45 Indians.

The Indians will now advance to the quarterfinals in a 2 p.m. game on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Bellmore JFK high School against a strong, fifth seeded Great Neck South squad.