Thursday, October 1, 2026
MacArthur’s boys basketball team was slow out of the gate to open the 2025-26 season but showed signs of promise entering conference play.
The Generals (3-2 in Conference AA-III) dropped four of their first five games before pulling out a key 53-51 overtime win at Bellmore JFK Dec. 19. The crucial win, which came after MacArthur nearly lost a 20-point lead, evened its league record at 1-1 in AA-III and provided a much-needed confidence boost following two one-point losses.
“I don't think we reached our full potential yet,” said sixth-year Macarthur head coach Brian Mainil. ““We've been battle tested as far as close games and I’m hoping we can put it together at the right time.”
MacArthur pulled out the JFK win with clutch play from junior forward Vin Szucs, who hit a layup off an inbounds pass with 23 seconds left in overtime for the go-ahead bucket. Szucs finished with a game-high 16 points with junior Ivan Adames also registering double digits with 14.
Senior center CJ McNulty also stepped up big in the JFK win with nine points and 10 rebounds. He also picked up nine points in a 67-58 loss at Long Beach on Dec. 13 to open league play.
“He's a bull down there in the paint and tough to keep off the boards,” Maini said of McNulty. “His effort and toughness is unmatched.”
The Generals began the new year strong with a 54-52 home win against Calhoun on Jan. 7 featuring nine points apiece from Dan Lopez, Kyle Russo and Adames. Senior guard Anthony Polanco also stepped up big with eight points, all during the third quarter when MacArthur outscored Calhoun 18-15.
MacArthur followed up the Calhoun nailbiter with a convincing 50-31 victory home win against Great Neck South Jan. 8 for the Generals’ third win in four games. Adames led the way with 14 points followed by 11 from Szucs.
“It’s been a nice mix of guys,” Maini said. :”They are all chipping in and we just need to be more consistent throughout the whole game.”
The Generals will be tested in mid-January with a road game this Wednesday at New Hyde Park, which stands is 3-1 in the AA-III, followed by home games against Jericho Saturday before hosting Long Beach on Jan. 23 in a rematch of the teams’ December meeting in the conference opener.
MacArthur is looking to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and Maini sees a strong opportunity for the Generals to break through in a league with plenty of similar teams going toe-to-toe to reach the postseason.
“I think for most teams in our conference this season is going to go until the end and it is going to be competitive across the board,” Maini said. “It’s going to be very competitive across the board and we're just hoping that we reach our goal for the playoffs.”
