Sewanhaka rolls into playoffs

Sewanhaka boys’ basketball has had its share of ebbs and flows over the past decade. Each season found the Indians searching for that signature win that would catapult them from pretender to contender. But, for one reason or another, the team would fall short. Until now.

The Indians enjoyed their best regular season in ages, finishing with a record of 14-5 (9-3 in Nassau Conference A-I), and enter the Class A playoffs on a high note after knocking off visiting Great Neck North, 62-45, last Friday afternoon. 

Rahim Akinwunmi, the team’s leading scorer at 13.4 points per game, scored 14 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to lead the way. Jayden Boyd dished out seven assists for the Indians, who won eight of their last nine games. Julien Hakimian and Daniel Sharifian scored 15 points apiece for the Blazers. 

Despite its solid season, the bracket makers weren’t kind to Sewanhaka. The Indians were given the No. 9 seed in the field of 22, and will travel across town to take on No. 8 Floral Park (15-4 overall, 9-3 in Conference A-III) in the opening round of the playoffs this Friday. Top-seeded Elmont likely awaits the winner.  

Head coach Jay Allen is excited about his team as it enters the postseason. “We had a little period where we struggled, but we’re playing very well right now,” Allen said. “We’re very confident in ourselves. We beat some really good teams. Our mentality is that if we play the way we’re capable of playing, we’ll take our chances against any team, anywhere.”

The Indians got more than just a signature win in 2016-17. The team knocked off Amityville and Freeport in non-league play before going on the road and getting the best of defending state champion Elmont, and beating Garden City at home in dramatic fashion. Elmont and Garden City finished in a tie for first place in the conference.

In the 40-39 victory over the Trojans, Sewanhaka trailed by two with just over 20 seconds to play. Allen drew up two plays during a timeout, with one designed for Akinwunmi to attempt a three if Garden City came out in a zone. 

The Indians ran the clock down, and Kamaal Chin and Giovanny Bryce set screens to free up Akinwunmi. The play worked to perfection as the junior guard set his feet, fired away from the left wing, and watched his game-winner hit the bottom of the net. The defense, which held Garden City 20 points below its average, was led by Marcus Johnson.

“Most coaches would probably look to tie the game up in that situation, but I figured that if we executed the play, we’d at least get a good look,” Allen said. “When you beat teams like Elmont and Garden City, two strong, well-coached teams, it gives you a lot of confidence. We’re finding different ways to win. Pressure defense is still a staple, but we’re more diverse now than we’ve been in the past. We’re looking forward to the playoffs.”