Northport boys basketball's Brody Gazzo scores 35 points to key victory over Smithtown East
Northport's Brody Gazzo takes a shot during a Suffolk League III boys basketball game at Smithtown East High School on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. Credit: Brittney Dietz
The task was crystal clear.
Northport needed to walk into Smithtown East’s gym Tuesday on senior night and take down a strong Bulls team or be eliminated from Suffolk AA playoff contention.
As it turned out, the team that had to win won easily. And one of Northport’s seniors was at the forefront, putting on a sensational show.
After scoring a career-high 33 points in the previous game against Smithtown West, shooting guard Brody Gazzo beat that by going off for 35 in a 72-46 Suffolk League III victory.
“I’m not playing in college, so this is really my last time playing basketball,” Gazzo said. “So going out, pushing hard, backs against the wall, and we came through and won.”
Now if they can win their regular-season finale, they’re in.
“I think we’re going to go far,” Gazzo said.
They will be hosting Centereach Thursday. The Tigers (9-10, 7-8), winners of five of their last seven, claimed a 54-42 decision at Centereach on Jan. 15.
“I’m just so proud of how our guys played the game of basketball,” Northport coach Sean Boylan said of this latest win. “They competed for 32 minutes. . . . [Smithtown East has] great players. But our guys I think felt the sense of urgency.”
Bulls coach Jon Feiler could tell.
“I think Northport just wanted it more tonight,” he said.
His seniors were honored in a pregame ceremony, including Craig O’Neill, who topped the Bulls with nine points. Then the Tigers grabbed a 14-1 advantage after one quarter.
“We just came out extremely flat and clearly they had something to play for, and they proved it,” Feiler said.
The Tigers were leading 19-10, then went on a 14-5 run to go up by 18.
Gazzo was the “14” — a jumper, two free throws, two threes, a drive for a layup, a spin for another.
“I think Brody is really understanding the game at a much higher level right now,” Boylan said.
The lead sat at 33-17 at halftime. Then Harry Radziul scored nine of his 14 and Gazzo tossed in eight more. And Northport had Smithtown East, playing its regular-season finale, in a 54-28 hole after three.
Despite the setback, the Bulls (13-7, 10-6) have high hopes of securing their first Suffolk crown.
“Our expectation is county championship,” Feiler said. “ . . . Even after this game, I still feel very confident that we could win it as long as we’re playing our best ball.”
