Thriller puts Rams in playoffs

There’s nothing like saving the best for last.

Senior captain Darnell Davy scored a career-high 16 points and dished out three assists as West Hempstead clinched a berth in the Nassau Class A boys’ basketball playoffs with a 58-57 win over visiting Great Neck North before an energetic Senior Night crowd last Friday night.

Senior Tom Valerio’s three-pointer with 35 seconds to play put the game away for the Rams, who earned the No. 11 seed and will travel to No. 6 Lawrence on Thursday for a first-round playoff game. The Rebels got a game-high 17 points from Alec Ludwig.

West Hempstead head coach Ed Cosgrove was happy with the victory, and the contribution he got from the seniors. “The last home game for the seniors has become a real nice production here over the past few years,” Cosgrove said. “The atmosphere was terrific, and the guys really stepped up with the season on the line.”

Prior to the season, Cosgrove spoke about having no go-to guy, but a roster filled with capable players. It was never more apparent than during the most important game of the season. Everyone who took the floor for the Rams, including all seven seniors, found his way onto the score sheet.

With the win, West Hempstead, 6-5 in conference play and 9-7 overall, clinched third place in Conference A-III. Sophomore guard Tyree Glascoe added 13 points for the Rams. Senior Mike Mangino had six rebounds. West Hempstead beat Great Neck North by one in the first meeting as well.

The victory came on the heels of a narrow loss to Manhasset. The Indians are tied with Floral Park for first place in the league. The Rams battled back from an eight-point deficit to take a two-point lead early in the final quarter before Manhasset pulled away. Glascoe scored 18 points to lead West Hempstead.

Playing in the strongest of the four Class A conferences meant a difficult road to the playoffs for the Rams. West Hempstead’s postseason hopes took a bad turn when the Rams lost 73-67 to Valley Stream South. The Falcons got 30 points from Henoc Bienne. It was the team’s second defeat at the hands of the Falcons. 

While the loss put the team’s playoff chances in jeopardy, some extracurricular activities between the two teams after the contest seemed to unite the Rams. 

“I spoke with the boys a few games earlier about not backing down,” Cosgrove said. “The boys showed that they had each other’s back. I think it was important for the growth of the team. The boys have given more effort, and have played a little bit more physical since the South game. We really came together.”

Cosgrove likes the way his team is playing. “We’re getting positive contributions from everyone,” Cosgrove said. “I feel good going into the playoffs. Playing in such a tough league has us prepared for the playoffs. We’re going to be one of the lower seeds, so we know that the road is going to be tough. We’re playing pretty well right now.”