A few magical seasons of Killer Bees basketball at the Hive in Bridgehampton excepted, high school sports fandom has never been quite as fanatical a part of the South Fork culture as it is in, say, Texas. Most East Enders who don’t happen to have a child playing varsity or junior varsity have never even sat in the stands in our high school gyms on game night.
Why is that?
Lately we’ve been reminded of how much we enjoy cheering on the home team. If you find yourself twiddling your thumbs on a winter weeknight, we are here to suggest donning the maroon and gray and heading out to a basketball game or swim meet some evening soon. It’s free, it’s fun, and it will warm your heart in the depths of January or February.
This afternoon at 4:30, for example, the Eastport-South Manor boys basketball team faces the East Hampton team at the Bonac gym on Long Lane. Or, you can root on the East Hampton boys swimming team at the Y.M.C.A. East Hampton RECenter pool at 5:30, when they face Central Islip, or head over to Pierson Middle and High School to see the Sag Harbor boys basketball team take on Mattituck at 6:15. Tomorrow, the Bonac girls basketball crew plays on Shelter Island at 4:30, and the Killer Bees boys team faces Shelter Island at 6:15. A more complete list of upcoming games can be found on today’s sports page.
The lack of community feeling is an evergreen complaint in most social circles out here; we all, it seems, miss those moments of civic connectedness. Here’s a chance to feel good about your community, and to show support for the teenage generation.