Healthy Mepham eyes playoff run

Mepham girls’ basketball has clinched a playoff berth and is now gearing up for what it hopes will be an extended postseason run with a healthy starting lineup.

The Pirates, who have been battling injuries and illness for much of the season, punched their ticket to the upcoming Nassau Class AA playoffs with a commanding 49-31 win at Valley Stream Central last Saturday in which the Pirates dominated after falling behind 15-7 after the first quarter. 

“We have been hit with an injury and illness bug all season,” 20th-year head coach Jim Mulvey said after Mepham improved to 7-3 in conference games and 9-7 overall. “We have rarely had our regular starting lineup.”

A 41-29 home loss to Herricks on Jan. 18 marked one of many games this season where Mepham was without a key starter when junior forward Makayla Daube was out due to an illness. Daube returned a week later and registered 19 points and 22 rebounds in a 56-29 win at Long Beach despite having just one practice under her belt going into the game. 

Daube continued her hot play in the Valley Stream Central win with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Senior point guard Ashley Felsberg also had a big game with 14 points while Sophia Beck chipped in with 5 points and 7 rebounds. 

Felsberg and Daube have been instrumental in leading the Pirates this season as co-captains. Daube was an All-County selection last season while Felsberg earned honorable mention All County accolades.  

“They've been with us for a long time and know how to get us going,” Mulvey said of the captains. “They have to coexist on the court and work with each other and when they do that they are a pretty good team.” 

The co-captains lead an offense that has a strong inside and outside game. Senior shooting guard Brianna Frier is the Pirates’ biggest threat from the perimeter and knocked down five three-pointers in a 51-29 win against Valley Stream Central on Dec. 18. 

A strong defense has also propelled Mepham with opponents held to 50 points or less in all but two games this season, which Mulvey said has been keyed by playing both zone and man-to-man depending on matchups. 

“We like to mix it up and press a little bit,” Mulvey said. “They are pretty good at following our game plans.”

Mepham faces a tough test this Friday at East Meadow, which defeated the Pirates 57-48 on Jan. 6. The regular season then concludes with a road game at Long Beach on Feb. 7 before hosting MacArthur on Feb. 10 at noon. 

The Pirates could be seeded anywhere from eight to 12 for the Class AA playoffs, but Mulvey sees potential for a deep run if the team is playing its basketball down the stretch and enters the postseason with its health intact.   

“When we are on we feel we are as good as anyone,” Mulvey said. “We think we are a tough out in the playoffs.”