61 Straight Wins!!!
Southampton set and still holds the longest winning streak in Long Island history by
winning 61 straight games from 1967 through 1970. After losing in the 1967 County
semifinals to eventual champion West Islip 95-64, Southampton defeated Half Hallow
Hills 90-80 in the consolation game. Little did anyone know that game would be the
start of a miraculous winning streak.
The 1967-68 season had Southampton going through the regular season unbeaten
and was the favorite to take the title. They rolled through the playoffs, scoring 107
points in one game, and defeated Pierson 99-79 to take the title.
The 1968-69 season again had Southampton again rolling along. However, their star
player, Clarence “Foots” Walker, who was averaging 26 ppg., was suspended at
mid-season. The team still continued to win without him. Walker was reinstated just
in time for the playoffs after missing 9 games. In their 88-73 semifinal win over Half
Hallow Hills, Southampton broke Mattituck’s Long Island record of 41 straight wins.
They then defeated a 19-0 Copiague team 83-55 to win their 2nd title in a row.
But they weren’t done yet. With “Foots” Walker again leading the way, 1969-70
produced a third straight undefeated regular season. They entered the playoffs as the
No. 1 seed and promptly showed their strength by beating Sachem 103-76 in the
opening round for their 61st consecutive win.
In the quarterfinals, Southampton played North Babylon, a team which had been
somewhat of a disappointment during the season and entered the game with a 14-6
record. North Babylon led from the outset and built a 15 point lead in the 4th quarter.
Southampton wouldn’t quit and cut the lead to 67-65 with 3:19 left but North Babylon
quickly rebuilt the lead and won going away 82-69 ending Long Island’s longest boys
high school basketball winning streak at 61.
“Foots” Walker eventually had a 10 year NBA career, playing for both Cleveland and
New Jersey.
Congratulations to Coach Joe Romanosky and his team for a truly remarkable run!