Hewlett inconsistent as playoffs near

With six- and five-game winning streaks under its belt along with a berth in the Nassau Class A boys’ basketball playoffs for the 11th consecutive season, Hewlett figures to be a difficult opponent come tournament time next week.

However, that’ll all depend on whether or not the experienced and talented Bulldogs play up to their potential. Despite a 13-4 record, head coach Bill Dubin is concerned about the inconsistency they’ve shown down the stretch.

“We’ve played well enough to beat teams like Chaminade and South Side, so we know what we can do when we play up to our potential,” Dubin said after Hewlett’s modest two-game winning streak ended with a 54-52 Conference A-II defeat at Wantagh on Jan. 31.

Connon L’epplatenier’s three-pointer with 30 seconds remaining provided the dagger for the Warriors, who also upset the Bulldogs at home last season. L’eppelatenier (10 points) was one of three Wantagh players to score in double figures, joining Sean Gutfleisch (18) and Anthony Teresky (11.) Hewlett senior Zach Bromfeld had a game-high 23, while junior Alyjah Hill added a dozen.

“We’re not going to win when we shoot roughly 50 percent from the free throw line with plenty of trips,” Dubin said. “Wantagh is a scrappy and physical team, especially at home.”

Hewlett, which reached the Class A semifinals as the No. 12 seed last season, cruised past Wantagh by 25 points in the first meeting on Jan. 6 behind a triple-double from Hill (17 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists.) The rematch was back-and-forth, with the Bulldogs leading after the first and third quarters and the Warriors ahead by a basket at halftime.

“We’re in a very strong and talented conference,” Dubin said. “You have to come to play every night.”

The offensive output was Hewlett’s second-lowest of the season and followed back-to-back performances of 70-plus points. On Jan. 28, in the 14th Annual Hoops for Hope game to benefit Sibs Place, the Bulldogs raised approximately $7,000 and knocked off visiting Division, 71-48, to clinch a playoff spot. Bromfeld scored a game-high 22 points, going 11-for-12 from the field, and ripped down 14 rebounds. Hill (17, 10) and junior Matt Mannino (13, 11) also posted a double-double, senior Jordan Carlo added seven points and sophomore Jason Barry chipped in six.

Hill took center stage the previous Saturday when he lit up the scoresheet for 40 points as Hewlett escaped Roslyn with a 78-72 overtime victory. More than half (21) of Hill’s points came from the foul line, including six in OT. Junior Luca Preziosi had 13 points and Bromfeld added 11 for the Bulldogs, who had to regroup to avenge an earlier loss to Roslyn after squandering a 15-point lead in the second half.

Conference games at home versus New Hyde Park and at Roosevelt remain before the playoffs tip off Feb. 15. “We have no idea what seed we’ll be, but I’m not concerned about it,” Dubin said. “The bottom line is we need to be more consistent.”