Growing process for Sewanhaka

Coming into the 2011-12 basketball season, first-year coach Jay Allen expected there to be some growing pains at Sewanhaka. With a relatively inexperienced team and new system, the Indians have had difficulty putting forth a consistent four quarters, and the results haven’t been rosy.

The lack of consistency showed in last Friday’s 65-41 loss to Hewlett. Sewanhaka (2-4 in conference A-II) trailed by only five points at the half, but the Bulldogs broke the game open with a 14-6 third quarter to take a commanding 42-29 lead into the final eight minutes. Junior forward Weldon Irvine scored a game-high 21 points to lead Hewlett, while senior Kareem Are had eight points for Sewanhaka.

Allen chalks things up to a lack of experience. “We have had numerous games where we’ve played well early only to come out flat in the second half,” Allen said. “We don’t have a lot of experience at handling certain game situations, and it take mental toughness to win the close ones. We’ve lost a lot of games by very narrow deficits. It’s kind of hard to explain some of the breakdowns we’ve had, but we’ll be better for it in the future.”

The Indians have lost three games by a total of five points, including a 49-48 loss to Bethpage, a game that could play a huge role in determining which team picks up the fourth and final playoff slot in Conference A-II. Sewanhaka, which was led by 17 points from senior Josh Wilchombe, held an 11-point lead at the half. Greg Gerber’s 15-foot jumper with 10 seconds to play gave the Golden Eagles the win. 

The loss ended Sewanhaka’s two-game winning streak. Matt Lugo had 12 points to lead the Tribe over Division, 48-37. In a 63-53 victory over Plainedge, the Indians got 19 points from Wilchombe and a career-high 18 from sophomore point guard Jabryl Chin.

Allen is high on floor leader. “Jabryl has probably been our steadiest player, despite being a sophomore,” Allen said. “He’s the guy who has been making us go. As a coach, when you know you have a player like him for two more years, along with a strong nucleus, you know the program’s future is very promising.”

The Indians will be looking to exact a little revenge when Bethpage comes to town as Sewanhaka closes out it home season on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.