Grand moment for North Shore's Triantafyllou

North Shore superstar Vasilis Triantafyllou eventually knew he’d get to 1,000 career points by season’s end. The forward of Greek heritage just didn’t imagine he’d get it Monday night versus Lawrence – Senior Night. 

Triantafyllou erupted for 40 points and drained a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to reach 1,000 as North Shore beat Lawrence, 71-56, on what was Monday Night Madness. 

The senior nicknamed “V” was engulfed by teammates after the make.  

“It was pretty sick,’’ Triantafyllou said. “I wanted to get it on Senior Night. No better night to get it on.’’

The two-time All-County forward has averaged 20.8 points per game so on this night, he doubled his scoring average.

Lawrence sent three defenders at him as North Shore ran a set play for “V”.  So “V’’ said he broke off “the elevator screen’’ and darted directly to the left wing where he gained space. After making the shot, Triantafyllou pointed toward the bleachers where his parents sat before his teammates crowded him.  

“It’s pretty surreal,’’ Triantfyllou said. “I always knew I’d hit it but the way I got it doesn’t even feel real. They (teammates) knew it was my goal to hit it. They were looking out for me more.’’

Prior to the Lawrence milestone, North Shore had gotten some heroics from former Sixth Man, junior Damon Merazzi. 

In recent wins over Seaford and Malverne, Merazzi combined for 50 points after being thrust into the starting lineup. He bagged 28 vs. Seaford and 22 versus Malverne. 

With Monday’s win on Senior Night over Lawrence, North Shore moved to 15-3 (9-1 in the conference) with two games to go. 

“He’s given us a boost – the last two games he’s taken a big jump,’’ North Shore coach Ryan Berglin said of Merazzi. “All his 50 points, he scored without the ball, running the floor in transition. Or with one of our guys driving and him relocating for a 3. He maybe dribbled the ball 8 to 10 times. It’s moving without the ball.’’

 In win over Seaford, “The Maroon’’ notched 29 field goals – 25 of them assisted baskets. 

“The one thing we do really, really well is moving the ball,’’ Berglin said. “We’re a very unselfish team, which is awesome.’’

Senior Danny Lenney epitomizes that and the coach calls him “Draymond Green’’ with all the intangibles. Lenney averages 5.3 points, 7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.3 assists.

“It fits my role on the team,’’ Lenney said. “It’s my job to put our scorers in position to score and put defenders in the right places.’’

North Shore’s nemesis continues to be Friends Academy, the Locust Valley enterprise which won the conference crown over North Shore last season and knocked them out of the playoffs. 

North Shore lost the first meeting in January and the rematch is Feb. 5^th – the season finale. If North Shore turns the tables, the teams would finish as co-champions in the conference. 

“We have a great team,’’ Lenney said. “We definitely feel it’s a team we can beat.’’

When forward Jack Molesky went down with pneumonia for four games, Merazzi’s star shined.  “Not surprised,’’ Lenney said. “He’s a phenomenal shooter.’’

North Shore will have a long break after the regular season finale Feb. 5. Because of a bye, the Sea Cliff/Glen Head school won’t open the playoffs until Feb. 21. Berglin will schedule a couple of scrimmages.

“Anytime you’re off for 15 days before your next game I’m a little concerned,’’ Berglin said.