Clutch Free Throws Lead East Meadow Travel Team to County Championship

It's important for teams to never give up.

That was the case Tuesday night when the East Meadow Police Athletic League (PAL) boys travel basketball team came back from a 13-point deficit to shock Valley Stream, 53-51 at the PAL Sports Arena in Hicksville.

After the eighth graders from East Meadow tied the game with two minutes left, the two teams traded missed shots until the game's final seconds. With just 2.5 seconds left, Joe Forrler was fouled, and he stepped to the line for a one-and-one. He nailed both free throws to give East Meadow the victory.

"It was such an amazing game," Joe's mother, Joyce said. "We came back, and it was great."

This wasn't the only taste of victory the boys, many of which will be entering high school in the fall, have had this season. Early in the year, East Meadow was the last team standing in the March Madness tournament.

"They are a talented group of kids," James Narell, a trustee for East Meadow PAL, said. "The high schools are going to be lucky to get them in the fall."

Check below for a full list of the Nassau County Champions.

Coaches: Ken Hines, John Callaghan

Roster:

• Joseph Forrler
• Kevin Skinner
• Brandon Callaghan
• Thomas Brady
• Kevin Anglem
• Kenneth Hines
• Robert McCann
• Alex Holmes
• Joseph Gianatassio
• Nicholas Forrler