Thursday, October 1, 2026
Valley Stream North’s boys have advanced to the Nassau Class A semifinals two of the last three years.
It could be another trip to the Final 4, though head coach Michael McVeigh is trying to downplay its chances because Conference A6 improved. Floral Park is considered the county-title favorite.
“We want to get better every day,” McVeigh said. “You hope to make the playoffs. When you make the playoffs, you see what happens.”
McVeigh is clearer on the Spartans’ identity. “We’re kind of small,” McVeigh said. “We’re trying to be a really fast team, play good defense and move the ball around.”
The Spartans saw a few role players graduate but Valley Stream North’s top two scorers are back in senior point guard Vin Rienzie and junior shooting guard Tristan Mitchell. Each averaged 15 points.
Rienzie is a crafty player who made All-County after averaging 4 assists. Mitchell, an All-Conference honoree, is an excellent slasher with a high basketball IQ.
During the postseason run, Mitchell was at his best with a series of 20-point outings. Valley Stream North beat Locust Valley and Friends Academy during its playoff march before losing to West Hempstead to finish 15-7.
“We see them taking another leap with another year of experience,” McVeigh said. “They’ve been working real hard all year.”
At forward, the 6-foot-1 senior Noah Obukwelu is a high-energy player who gets to the rim. “We want him to step up more with toughness, defense and fill the missing void from players we lost last year,” McVeigh said.
Other impactful players are senior guard Matt Hunt, superb in transition, and junior guard Kai Field, who might be the team’s most improved player. “He’s a better shooter, more confident, more athletic,” McVeigh said. “I’m excited for him to get more consistent playing time.”
McVeigh said others who’ll see playing time are sophomore forward Prince Ward, junior guard Luke Bascombe and junior forwards Jerry Thomas and Asa Aswad.
Valley Stream North girls are looking for a fitting encore.
In 2024-25, the Spartans made the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, finishing 10-9 after a 6-6 record in Conference A1.
Its 48-42 home playoff loss to Malverne in the first round didn’t diminish the glow. “It was a pretty big accomplishment,” head coach Dan Lodato said. “It was a successful year. We’re trying to repeat that and get to the playoffs.”
One concern is two eighth-grade starters from last season transferred to private schools — Celeste Lyle and Emily Weir. “It definitely hurts but we have a good group of ninth and 10th graders from JV,” Lodato said.
The two biggest stars are seniors Alessia Nunnari, an All-Conference selection, and Jasmine Harrison. Nunnari is captain and the “voice on the court,” says Lodato. She averaged 7 points and 4 assists, with her scoring expected to rise.
Harrison, also a captain, is a ferocious defensive player who forces turnovers and fills the box score. She averaged 5 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds.
A 5-foot-9 power forward, Paige Fessler is the team’s best athlete. The junior averaged 8 points and 11 rebounds. “She’s All-State track so she’s a freak athlete who doesn’t get tired running up and down the court and getting rebounds,” Lodato said.
A lot will ride on freshman point guard Ava Papangoniou, who plays travel ball and is Valley Stream North’s most important newcomer.
Junior Jada Jones, a 5-foot-10 center, will have a stepped-up role after earning major minutes last season. “She’s an intense player, big rebounder, very aggressive,” Lodato said.
Junior small forward Lauren Postell will also see increased playing time. At 5-foot-9, Postell is a smooth outside shooter. Sophomore Caylin Cooper, up from JV, will also carve out a role.
“This year, it’s going to be defense,” Lodato said, in his third season. “We have a lot of athletic girls who will play lockdown defense and be in their face. Defense and rebounding will be the two keys.”
Dec. 12: @ Wantagh, 6:45 p.m.
Dec. 20: @ Plainedge, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 6: Floral Park, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 9: V.S. South, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 12: @ Lynbrook, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 15: Mineola, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 23: Wantagh, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 30: Plainedge, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 3: @ Floral Park, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 6: @ V.S. South, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 9: Lynbrook, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 12: @ Mineola, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 12: Wantagh, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 19: Plainedge, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 6: @ Floral Park, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 9: V.S. South, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 12: Lynbrook, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 15: @ Mineola, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 24: @ Wantagh, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 31: @ Plainedge, 11:45 a.m.
Feb. 3: Floral Park, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 6: @ V.S. South, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 9: @ Lynbrook, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 12: Mineola, 5:00 p.m.
