Valley Stream North Spartans

V.S. NORTH

Spartans off Final Four finish

By VINCENT MATULA

It was a strong 2021-22 campaign for Valley Stream North boys’ basketball fi nishing with a 15-7 overall record and a Final Four appearance in Nassau Class A. This year’s Spartans will look to carry that momentum over despite their roster looking a little different. A big contributor offensively for North last season was AllCounty selection Godwin Eyiuche. With him graduated, juniors Dominic Obukwelu and Jalen Harrison will take over as the primary scoring options for head

coach Michael McVeigh. Harrison, a shifty point guard and playmaker, is back at North after playing at Christ the King last season. Obukwelu averaged 10 points per game, earned All-Conference honors and selected to the Nassau Basketball Coaches Association of New York Team in August. He’ll be counted on to lead his teammates not just with his play, but his qualities on non-game days too. “He’s going to set the tone for how we’re supposed to practice,” McVeigh said. “Guys are going to look to him to be one of the vocal leaders.” Additionally, three seniors will take the court for the Spartans as scoring options for head catch-and-shoot specialist Jaden catch-and-shoot specialist Jaden Rodriguez, playmaking guard Rodriguez, playmaking guard Aaron Rodriguez, and Padraig BeAaron Rodriguez, and Padraig Behan, a big who can stretch the han, a big who can stretch the fl oor and shoot the three, all fl oor and shoot the three, all bring unique qualities to an bring unique qualities to an already strong leadership already strong leadership group. group. After being pulled After being pulled up from JV last season, multi-sport athlete Danny Kosior is one name that has “shown some promise,” according to McVeigh and has the potential to be an x-factor. x-factor. Valley Stream North Valley Stream North fi nds itself in A-4, a new-look fi nds itself in A-4, a new-look conference this season with conference this season with plenty of quality opponents plenty of quality opponents such as Bethpage, Floral Park, such as Bethpage, Floral Park, Plainedge, Wantagh, Mineola, Plainedge, Wantagh, Mineola, and Lynbrook. Four of those six and Lynbrook. Four of those six fi nished last season with 11 or fi nished last season with 11 or more wins, making this confermore wins, making this conference a fi erce one. ence a fi erce one. “The conference is very deep,” McVeigh said. “We’re just trying McVeigh said. “We’re just trying to get better and become the to get better and become the Dominic Obukwelu best team we can possibly be.” best team we can possibly be.”

SPARTANS BRING WELL-ROUNDED TALENT WELL-ROUNDED TALENT

Valley Stream North’s girls Valley Stream North’s girls concluded 2021-22 with a concluded 2021-22 with a 6-11 overall record. This year’s 6-11 overall record. This year’s group features 10 rostered players, all of which bring exciting qualities. Fifth-year varsity player Kayla Santo, a very good rebounder, and fourth-year varsity guard Gabriela Mensah providing sound defense to lead the way. The two will guide fellow senior Lauren Skliros as she embarks on her fi rst and only season with the varsity. “They (Kayla and Gabriela) have been in the program for so many years that they’ve each brought unique skill traits,” head coach George Karahalios said. “We’re expecting them to grow even more.” Three of the fi ve starters for North are juniors, each bringing excellent qualities. Leading scorer Elena Magno is back after averaging 14.2 points per game and has fully recovered from a knee injury. When Magno went down, the team turned to Alyanna Nadal to take over the point and provide great defense. Nadal put together an All-Conference season averaging eight points, fi ve rebounds and three steals per game. Isabella Feldman rounds out the three starting juniors for the Spartans after a strong fi nish to last season and picking up some more confi dence in her shot. “Last year they came out strong and improved throughout the season, so I’m expecting that to continue,” Karahalios said. Two players from JV will be seeing some playing time on the varsity court as Daniella Orozco’s defensive presence and an offensive push from Savyon Rodriguez will look to put the club over the top. Both newcomers are joined by freshman Alessia Nunnari. Being that the margin for error is thin, the Spartans will look towards consistent play and confi dence to fuel their run towards a conference title. “I think mentaly our team is stronger than ever this year,” Karahalios said. “This group is confi dent in their abilities.”

Elena Magno

Schedule

MATT GUILFOYLE BOYS December

13 Bethpage 7:00 p.m. 16 @ Wantagh 7:00 p.m. 20 Lynbrook 7:00 p.m.

January

4 @ Floral Park 5:00 p.m. 7 Plainedge 12:00 p.m. 10 @ Mineola 6:45 p.m. 18 @ Bethpage 7:00 p.m. 21 Wantagh 12:00 p.m. 27 @ Lynbrook 7:00 p.m. 30 @ Plainedge 6:45 p.m.

February

1 Floral Park 7:00 p.m. 7 Mineola 7:00 p.m.

GIRLS December

13 @ Bethpage 5:00 p.m. 15 Wantagh 5:00 p.m. 19 @ Lynbrook 5:00 p.m.

January

4 Floral Park 7:00 p.m. 7 @ Plainedge 11:45 a.m. 10 Mineola 7:00 p.m. 18 Bethpage 7:00 p.m. 21 @ Wantagh 12:00 p.m. 27 Lynbrook 7:00 p.m.

February

1 @ Floral Park 5:00 p.m. 4 Plainedge 12:00 p.m. 7 @ Mineola 6:15 p.m.