By ANDREW McCLURE
That’s a good thing for two-time defending Long Island Class B boys’ basketball champion Malverne, which took a 79-66 thumping at the hands of visiting Hewlett on Dec. 22.
Senior forward David Fogel scored 36 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and had six assists to lead the Bulldogs in the Conference ABC-I matchup. Senior Justin Williams scored 17 to pace the Mules.
Malverne coach Darrol Lopez seemed unfazed by the loss. “We’re learning to play basketball together,” he said. “I’m not all that concerned with wins and losses at this point of the season. It’s about learning from mistakes, getting better as a team, and preparing ourselves for the long haul. It’s back to the drawing board for us.”
The first quarter was sloppy with both teams struggling to get into any kind of offensive rhythm. The Mules took an 18-12 lead on a lay up by Williams to open the second quarter, and for a brief moment it appeared they were taking control. But the basket would be the only field goal Malverne would get in the quarter. The Bulldogs scored 26 consecutive points and finished the quarter on a 28-3 run. Fogel scored 14 points in the second as Hewlett opened up a 40-21 lead at the half.
With Malverne in foul trouble and forced to go into a full-court press to open the second half, the Bulldogs did an outstanding job of spreading the floor and passing the ball. Junior Scott Bergman and senior Cory Kanner were both difference makers. The guards each scored nine points and were both integral in moving the ball around the perimeter and finding the open man. Bergman added eight rebounds, seven assists and six steals. Kanner was a menace on defense for the Bulldogs, who improved to 1-1 in conference play.
Each time it seemed as though the Mules would make a run to get back in the game, the Bulldogs came up big. The Mules cut their deficit to 46-32 midway through the third quarter, but never seriously challenged. Williams and senior Matthew Bates both picked up their fourth fouls in the quarter and the Bulldogs spent a lot of time at the free-throw line.
With the loss, the Mules fell to 1-1 in the conference. Senior guards Evan Shaw and Kadeem Bell each scored 14 points for Malverne, which notched impressive wins over Hempstead and Jericho prior to the meeting with Hewlett.
Lopez knows his team is in for a battle each night in the top conference, but has his eyes on the big picture. “Hewlett is a good team. They came into our gym very focused and motivated to beat us,” Lopez said. “If they play like that every night, they’ll be very tough to beat. These games will prepare us well for the Class B playoffs. We’re looking to defend our title and get back upstate.”
Next up for the Mules is a visit from South Side on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Comments about this story? TBellissimo@
liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 204.
