Baldwin navigates around inexperience

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The Baldwin boys’ basketball team has been remarkably consistent for more than two decades.

The Bruins have made the playoffs in each of Darius Burton’s 24 previous seasons. They’ve won 10 county championships — including the last four — as well as four Long Island championships.

But this winter, Baldwin’s regular season road has been rockier than the perennial powerhouse has been accustomed to.

There are 10 first-year players on the squad — a rarity for Burton. That team is 6-4 in their first 10 games and there’s been a common theme in each of those defeats.

“In all four losses, we’ve been up in the fourth quarter and haven’t found a way to pull out a win,” Burton said. “All four losses, we’ve been right there. As long as we’re learning and we’re getting better, I would rather have that happen now than in February or March.”

Of those defeats, three came in consecutive games, the first time the Bruins endured a three-game losing streak in six years. Baldwin fell 69-61 to Elmont in the championship game of the Baldwin Holiday Classic, followed by a 56-54 loss to William Floyd and a 73-67 double-overtime defeat to Great Neck South.

Among the varsity newcomers, Burton highlights sophomore Mical Saint Jean, who earned a spot in the starting lineup due to his work ethic, senior Vaughdrea Johnson, the quarterback of the football team who has started the last three games after missing last season due to injury and junior Jordan Williams, who brings athleticism and strong defense, off the bench.

The Bruins bounced back in a big way last Saturday against Great Neck North, winning 88-46 at home.

“They played with a lot of energy, a lot of hunger. I can't tell you the last time we played at home. It's been a while, but they bounced back tremendously.” Burton said. “Regardless of the opponent, I look at us and what we did and how we played, and they came out hungry, we defended like we’re capable.”

Baldwin held Great Neck North to 18 points in the first half, including just eight in the second quarter. And senior guard Chase Timberlake led the way offensively with 32 points.

“He’s been scoring, but he hasn’t really been scoring from the perimeter,” Burton said. “I was very happy because he looked like the Chase of old from the perimeter. He was catching the ball ready to shoot, wasn’t thinking about it, and, hopefully, this will carry over in the games to come.”

Timberlake, who came up as a sixth man as a sophomore, is 47 points away from the 1,000-point plateau for his career. That will be a first during Burton’s 25 years as head coach.

“That’s a tribute, to be honest with you, to our program,” Burton said. “Very rarely do I have three or four-year players just because of talent. I’ve been blessed with so much talent, but Chase has done a great job in the three years he’s been with me.”