Indians hoping to catch fire

To say the 2015-16 boys’ basketball season has been an up-and-down one for the Sewanhaka boys would be an understatement. The Indians raced out to an 8-1 start, but a recent four-game losing streak got the team off kilter.

The Indians were in desperate need of a win when they hosted Great Neck North on Jan. 20, and they got just that. Elijah Tracey’s offensive rebound and put back with just 4.8 seconds to play gave Sewanhaka a dramatic 50-49 win. Senior Sam Williams scored 12 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the Indians.

After Great Neck North took the lead with a 16-8 third quarter, Sewanhaka got help from an area where it generally struggles. The Indians hit three shots from long distance in the final quarter, two by sophomore Kamaal Chin, and one by Williams, to keep the game tight prior to Tracey’s heroics.

Head coach Jay Allen hopes the win represents a sign of things to come. “We needed the win over Great Neck North in a big way,” Allen said. “We have to get back on track. We had been playing inconsistent against very good opponents during the losing stretch. This conference is very tough, so you can’t have any off nights against anyone. Hopefully, we’ll get some momentum back, and get on a good roll.”

The Indians made a lot of noise early in the season when they ran off four consecutive wins against quality opponents. In an opening night 53-46 win over Valley Steam South, the two-time Nassau Class A champions, Sewanhaka got 17 points from senior Korey McLaurin and 15 from Williams. 

The team continued its solid play against strong non-league foes when it beat Hewlett and Roslyn. Kamoy Silvera had 10 points and 10 assists against Hewlett, while Williams led the way with 22 points in a 65-57 victory over a Roslyn team that has won nine of 10 games since falling to the Indians. Williams is averaging 15.4 per contest.

When league play began, the team broke out to a 25-4 lead on Carey en route to a 68-37 rout. McLaurin, who is averaging 12.4 points per game, scored 21, while junior Marcus Johnson chipped in with eight points and 15 rebounds.

In a 73-62 loss to Elmont, the Indians got 18 from McLaurin and 16 from Williams, but couldn’t contain Elmont’s Travis Robinson-Morgan. The player that Allen calls the league’s best buried six three-point baskets on his way to a game-high 31 points. Sewanhaka led by four at the half.

“We played pretty well against the top teams in the conference, but got hurt by foul trouble,” Allen said. “We have five games left, all against strong opponents. Hopefully, we’re stronger the second time around. I really think we’re set for a good run down the stretch.”

Sewanhaka, which has an overall record of 9-5, will look to sweep the season series when it welcomes in Manhasset this Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.