Valley Stream South Falcons

V.S. SOUTH

Falcons hope to fly again

By BRIAN KACHARABA

The results didn’t meet the expectations for the Valley Stream South boys’ basketball team last season after recording just one conference victory and two wins overall. But things could take a turn for the better this winter thanks to a rising young star and more height added to the lineup. The Falcons were well prepared for the 2022-23 season after competing in numerous summer tournaments and scheduling double-digit workouts and split the fi rst two games of the campaign but could only muster a win at Mineola in the penultimate game the rest of the way. “There’s only one way to go but up,” head coach Mike O’Brien said. “I think there’s actually potential. It’s kind of like a new team.” Brady Delvalle surprised as a freshman last year by averaging just under 11 points as a point guard. This season, O’Brien is hoping to eventually place him at the two-guard position to take more advantage of his already high basketball IQ. “He’s a two, but he’s still our best option at the one,” he explained. “But for us to have success, I see him as our leading scorer. I’m hoping he can score 15-plus a game.” Andy Dorant is the shooting guard and, despite his 6-foot-5 frame, O’Brien is expected to slot fellow senior Nicholas Parisi as a third guard. But Parisi’s basketball awareness makes him effective at any position. Juniors Dillon Wallace (6-4) and Lonnie Creech (6-2) will make their varsity debuts and complete the starting fi ve. Senior Robert Jones (6-5) brings more height off the bench and senior Gavin Benevides is the team’s “best pure shooter”, according to O’Brien. The team moved down to Conference A5 this year, but O’Brien believes the schedule didn’t get much easier. “Every team except for Island

Trees made the playoffs last year,” he said of the new conference. “There’s defi nitely no gimmies.”

Brady Delvalle

fellow senior Nicholas Parisi as a third guard. But Parisi’s basketball awareness makes him effective at any position. Juniors Dillon Wallace (6-4) and Lonnie Creech (6-2) will make their varsity debuts and complete the bench and senior Gavin Benevides is the team’s “best pure shooter”, according to O’Brien. The team moved down to Conference A5 this year, but O’Brien believes the schedule didn’t get much easier. “Every team except for Island

Trees made the playoffs last year,” he said of the new conference. “There’s defi nitely no gimmies.”

NEW COACH TO GUIDE VSS

The athletic department made an outside-the-box hire in hopes of improving the girls’ program this season. Dominique Serpico, a Spanish teacher in the district, will be coaching basketball for the fi rst time after spending her previous years on a volleyball sideline. She welcomes the challenge of helping a team that won just once last winter. “At fi rst, I was a little hesitant just because it’s out of my typical wheelhouse, but given my own background, I was like, ‘You know what, let’s see what I can do with these girls.’” she said. The roster is senior-heavy, but also features sophomores that could create a foundation for the future. Senior point guard Laura Cardona is the top returning scorer and Serpico is hoping she could be the court general as well. “I want Laura to step up and take control of the court and lead her team,” Serpico said. “I want her to really direct her players where they need to be.” Amani Coyall and Gabriella Williams could be the team’s best outside shooters, with fellow seniors Christina Barkolas and LaMaya Mays handling rebounding and putback duties. Senior Kellie McMillan provides depth at point guard and senior Diarra Danville is an aggressive defender off the bench. As for the sophomores, Lisa Jean-Antoine could occasionally start at guard, Ysavel Clesca provides defense and will fi ght for a loose ball, and Jayla McLean brings strong rebounding and defense. Serpico hopes for more wins but, more importantly, would like the girls to gain confi dence as the season progresses. “Last year, they were 1-15

NEW COACH TO GUIDE VSS [and] I would like to at least go a couple better than that,” she an outside-the-box hire in hopes said. “If we have a strong team of improving the girls’ program this chemistry, we may not win every season. single game, but I want the girls to Dominique Serpico, a Spanish feel good coming off that court.” teacher in the district, will be coaching basketball for the fi rst time after spending her previous years on a volleyball sideline. She welcomes the challenge of helping a team that won just once last winter. “At fi rst, I was a little hesitant was like, ‘You know what, let’s see what I can do with these girls.’” she said. The roster is senior-heavy, but also features sophomores that could create a foundation for the future. Senior point guard Laura Cardona is the top returning scorer and Serpico is hoping she could be the court general as well. “I want Laura to step up and take control of the court and lead her team,” Serpico said. “I want her to really outside shooters, with fellow seniors

Laura Cardona

Schedule

MATT GUILFOYLEBOYS December

16 @ North Shore 7:00 p.m. 20 Lawrence 5:00 p.m.

January

4 Clarke 5:00 p.m. 7 @ Academy Charter 12:00 p.m. 10 @ Island Trees 7:00 p.m. 13 Friends Academy 5:00 p.m. 21 North Shore 12:00 p.m. 27 @ Lawrence 7:00 p.m.

February

1 @ Clarke 7:00 p.m. 4 Academy Charter 12:00 p.m. 7 Island Trees 5:00 p.m. 10 @ Friends Academy 7:00 p.m.

GIRLS December

15 North Shore 5:00 p.m. 20 @ Lawrence 7:00 p.m.

January

4 @ Clarke 7:00 p.m. 10 Island Trees 5:00 p.m. 13 @ Friends Academy 7:00 p.m. 20 @ North Shore 5:15 p.m. 27 Lawrence 5:00 p.m.

February

1 Clarke 5:00 p.m. 7 @ Island Trees 7:00 p.m. 10 Friends Academy 5:00 p.m.