Now more than ever, local news matters.

Now more than ever, local news matters.

The Lady Blue Waves alumnae proved last night they’ve still got what it takes. The Waves alumnae defeated Bellport 51-34 in a game to benefit the girls basketball booster club at Riverhead High School.

Many teammates from Riverhead’s 2012 regional championship team took the court in a game organized by team captain Jalyn Brown of Riverhead. Coach Dave Spinella, who coached the Waves to the state semifinals and was named Suffolk coach of the year in 2012 was back on the sidelines.

It almost seemed like a decade has not passed since that storied season in Riverhead girls basketball history — their game was that smooth and there was that much excitement in the gym.

The bleachers on the home team’s side of the gym were filled with fans.

See prior story: Blue Waves commemorate 10-year anniversary of championship season with alumnae basketball game

“Last night was amazing,” Brown said this morning. “Seeing all my old teammates. The attendance was great! I checked my phone after the game and I had 50 unread messages about the game. That’s how good the turnout was,” she said.

Brown, who coaches women’s basketball for Suffolk County Community College, said she surprised herself by how well she played last night. “I guess shooters never lose their touch,” she said.

“It was such a honor playing on our home floor again 10 years after our championship run. Felt like home and it’ll always be home,” Brown said.

After the team member introductions, the Waves paid tribute to Riverhead High School security chief Don Henderson, who died suddenly last month. The gym fell silent in memory of the beloved “Mr. Henderson,” and then Brown broke the silence with Henderson’s signature cafeteria announcement: “We got a birthday in the house,” which the announcer picked up, continuing, “We got a birthday in the house… H-O-U-S-E… HOUSE!”

“I think the best part of the evening was having Spinella back on the sidelines coaching,” Brown said. “All the alumnae who participated last night played for him during their high school careers.”

“It was a fun night,” Spinella said this morning. “It was a great night for women’s sports and great to celebrate these young women.”

Spinella said he was happy that team members over a span of years turned out to play. While 2012 was “obviously a memorable experience,” he said, “I remember every team.” Standing there while the National Anthem was playing, he said, sparked memories of every team he coached at Riverhead during his 16 years of coaching girls basketball — 14 years as varsity coach and two as junior varsity coach.

An English teacher at Riverhead High School, Spinella retired from coaching a few years back to have more time to spend with his family. “I still miss coaching every day,” he said. “I missing teaching [basketball] and being in the gym.”

He said he was honored to be a part of last night’s event. “It was very nice of Coach Hickson [the Waves girls varsity coach] to reach out and ask me to be a part of it,” Spinella said.

Last night’s event raised $900 for the Riverhead girls basketball booster club.

“A big shoutout to the varsity head coach Cherese Hickson,” Brown said. Hickson’s help made the event possible, she said.

“We are already ready to plan for next year,” Brown said. The survival of local journalism depends on your support. We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community. Support RiverheadLOCAL today.

The survival of local journalism depends on your support. We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community. Support RiverheadLOCAL today.