By:STEVE SINISKI
Trailing 37-30 in the third quarter, Kennedy used its defense to spur an 11-2 run. And when the Spartans tied the game at 41 early in the fourth, the Cougars stepped up again, reeling in nine of the next 11 points to take a 50-43 advantage. "In the second half, we picked up the intensity," Cougars Coach Rory Block said.
Senior guard Dave Tener continued his strong play, scoring a team-high 30 points and converting on 13 of his 16 free-throw attempts. He also helped out in the paint, grabbing 10 rebounds. "He's quick, handles the ball well and can shoot off the dribble or standing still," Block said of Tener, who garnered All-Conference honors last year. "He's done a fantastic job. He's been on the varsity team for 3 1/2 years and is a strong mid-range player. [His biggest improvement] has been in his leadership. Last year there was a great senior group, so he was a scorer, not a leader. This year his maturity is where he's shown his greatest improvement."
Following a game with Freeport, one of the best programs in Nassau County, the Cougars were staring at a crucial stretch of Conference A-III games. Battles with Mineola in January (1-3 in its first four conference games) and a rematch at Island Trees on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. (1-4) loomed large for Kennedy.
"We need to distance ourselves," Block said of earning wins over two teams that the Cougars are battling for a potential playoff spot. "If we beat Mineola, then the win [against Valley Stream North] was a springboard."
Kennedy has already beaten Island Trees, 55-50, on Jan. 3, but the Bulldogs caused some of their own trouble by shooting just six of 14 from the charity stripe. "They used a box-and-one on us, and I'm sure they're going to try and work that more," Block said. "We have to do a better job."
In the earlier win against Island Trees, Tener led the Cougars with 20, but also got offensive help from Mike Gussin and Derek Rubenstein. Each chipped in 10 points, with Gussin giving the Cougars a 50-49 lead late in the game. "Mike gives us some scoring from the outside," Block said.
Rubenstein, meanwhile, is part of a four-man rotation up front -- along with Jesse DiPlacido, Adam Hirsch and Andrew Markinson -- who pulled down seven boards against Valley Stream North.
"Coming into the season we were behind," Block said. "But looking at where we were those first few games in December, we're drastically improved."
