Malverne JV basketball team goes undefeated

Malverne High School’s boys’ junior varsity basketball team announced last week that the team had an undefeated season — the first time in school history that has ever happened.

What’s driving the team? “It always starts with players who have talent and are coachable,” said their coach, Haywood Hammond, who goes by his middle name, Tom. “Fortunately, we have both of those this year.”

Four of the players, Hammond said, will go on to play varsity in the playoffs, including 8th grader Michael Warren, and sophomores Donovan Ishmael, Jovani Duran and Lovens Ulysse. “I anticipate they will see action during the playoffs,” Hammond said. Jonathan Chery and Jayden Seraphin were also starters for the team, he added.

In addition to quality players, Hammond credits the team’s success to his assistant coach, Dino Delaney, who has been an inspiration and leader for the team, and spoke early on in the season about the team’s ability to go the distance.

The junior varsity playoffs began last Sunday, and will continue through next month until the star tournament, which is usually held during the third week of March.