Malverne rolls past Seaford

It’s often said in a typical basketball game, where a team is always one run away from overcoming a large deficit, that no lead is ever safe.

But after Malverne (9-4 overall, 6-2 conference) jumped out to an eye-popping popping 30-2 lead early in the second quarter against visiting Seaford (3-8, 1-5) on Jan. 17, few in the gym doubted who the victor would be. 

Employing a smothering full court press and effective transitional offense, Malverne scored early and often against their Conference ABC boys’ basketball foe, ending the game with five players scoring at least nine points or more en route to a decisive 60-34 win.

“We tried to double the ball, and the rule is, the next logical pass from the double, someone has to be there,” Malverne assistant coach Walter Aksionoff said. “If you play defense correctly, you can reverse that ball quickly.”

To Seaford’s credit, it never stopped competing, drawing free throws and draining three-pointers and at times out-hustling Malverne in the second half, notably in the third quarter when the Vikings outscored the Mules, 14-7. But the lopsided first-half deficit was just too much to overcome.

Early back-to-back steals on inbounds passes, capped by layups from senior guard Michael James and freshman guard Michael Warren Jr. set the tone early, putting the Mules up 9-2. Twenty-one consecutive points ensued, many off turnovers.

Malverne’s defensive intensity was exemplified in the second quarter, when Warren Jr. streaked from seemingly out of nowhere to block a Seaford fast break layup attempt from behind. The highlight reel play sent a shockwave through the crowd, many of whom stood and applauded the effort.

Seaford’s Matt Meyer scored seven points, including two three-pointers, in the third quarter to close the deficit to 47-27, but Malverne picked up their play in the fourth to put the game away.

Junior forwards Jovani Duran and Donovan Ishmael led the scoring with 10 points apiece for Malverne. Warren, James and senior guard Makhia Effs each tallied nine. Ishmael also added eight rebounds. “Donovan dominated the boards,” said Aksionoff. “This is his first year on varsity, so you can see how he can jump and rebound.”

It was a much different affair then the two schools met in Seaford on Dec. 19, which saw the teams knotted at 47 entering the fourth quarter, before Malverne pulled away to win by seven.

Ryan Butler scored 14 points to lead Seaford in the most recent contest, who dropped their fourth decision in five games. For Malverne it was their fourth straight victory, as they look to continue their momentum prior to a Feb. 1 rematch with first place Cold Spring Harbor.

Emotions ran high in the game’s final minutes, when Seaford’s Zach Grof was ejected for what the officials deemed was an intentional foul on Effs as he rose for a layup, sending Effs flying into the gym wall padding. Unhurt, Effs sunk three of four resulting foul shots. “When you play Seaford,” said Aksionoff, “you’ve got to be ready for a physical game.”