Mepham evens conference mark

Mepham closed the first half of the Nassau Conference A-1 girls’ basketball schedule with a .500 record thanks to a 40-30 home victory over Great Neck South on Jan. 10.

The Pirates scored 16 points in the opening quarter and led from start to finish, getting a double-double from sophomore Makayla Daube (13 points, 15 rebounds) and clutch outside shooting from junior Brianna Frier, who nailed three treys in a 12-point effort off the bench.

“It’s always nice to get a win, but we still need to work on a lot of things to get better,” head coach Jim Mulvey said after Mepham improved to 7-6 overall and 3-3 in A-1. “We’ve mixed our defenses all season between man and zone and we’re just not there yet when it comes to defending one-on-one,” he added. “We need to limit opponents getting by us on the dribble and we need more composure on offense.”

Mulvey’s offense was clicking early against Great Neck South. Mepham scored the first three baskets including an end-to-end dash by Daube, the lone returning starter from last season who’s transitioned from point guard to center. “We kind of go as Mikalya goes,” Mulvey said. “She’s 5-9 and versatile. She’s had a program record-tying 32-point game and also a 28-rebound game. She has a good handle and scoring ability.”

Daube and classmate Sophia Beck each scored six points in the first quarter. Daube added four more in the second as the Pirates extended their lead to 25-14 at the half.

“We graduated 45 points from last year’s team and we’re mostly juniors and sophomores,” Mulvey explained. “We had a pretty good start to the season, but we’ve struggled a little lately and we’re hoping to build off tonight’s win and get back on track.”

Frier, who started each of the first dozen games, made her presence felt in the third quarter when Mepham got some positive trips from its halfcourt offense. She twice answered a three-pointer from Great Neck South’s Akira Chow and was the biggest reason the Pirates took a 33-24 lead into the fourth.

“We had a bunch of rushed possessions, but we got good, clean shots when we settled into our offense,” Mulvey said.

Beck finished with 8 points. Junior point guard Ashley Felsberg, junior Katie Burke and senior Markella Moutafis all chipped in a basket. Adora Cho led Great Neck South with 7 points.

The win snapped a three-game slide for the Pirates, who will look to flip the script on neighboring Calhoun (43-31 loss Dec. 20) and also Jericho (58-40 defeat Jan. 7) in upcoming rematches and make a playoff push, Mulvey said.

“We’re in the playoffs if the season ended today and catch Calhoun and Jericho at home,” Mulvey said. “I think we’re capable of winning all three of our remaining home games. We beat New Hyde Park by 24 at home. Now we have to make sure we take care of business at their place.”