Malverne Mules

MALVERNE

Mules try to overcome key losses

By BRIAN KACHARABA

Malverne has constantly appeared in title games in recent years, but can it continue that trend after losing its top two scorers from last season? The Mules, who appeared in two Long Island Class B championship games in the previous three full seasons, fared well last winter with fi ve wins in seven games during the abbreviated campaign. Michael Warren was the secondleading scorer on Long Island with a 28.6 average and James Ackies (11.7 ppg) was the other Mule to fi nish in double digits, but both graduated in the spring. The next highest was power forward DeAndre’ Blagrove (8.6), who has the potential to dominate on both ends of the court in his senior season, followed by Keondre Greene (6.7), Farvens Ulysse (6.2) and Trey Robinson (5.2). Assistant coach Walter Aksionoff said those players’ talents, with the added responsibilities they will have this season, should result in higher scoring averages. “You take a look at Trey, Ulysses and DeAndre’ right there, they easily can score anywhere from 15 and 20,” he said. Junior guard Joshua Croom was supposed to combine with Warren to form a powerful backcourt last winter, but he injured his foot during his 18-point performance in the opener against Cold Spring Harbor and missed the rest of the season. He is also a strong candidate to lead the Mules in scoring. “Josh is the key,” he said. “Josh can light it up. I call him the silencer. No one knows he’s there and he leaves the court, he has 12 to 18 points. When he played on the JV, he was a double-digit scorer.” The coaching staff is also excited about speedy sophomore guard Chad Wesley, who should pile up the assists offensively while “harassing the ball all over the court” on defense, according to Aksionoff. The Mules are in the largest conference in Nassau and will play 16 conference games.

MULES SEARCH FOR THE ELUSIVE ‘W’

The girls’ team enters the season mired in a 12-game losing streak that dates back to their last win on Jan. 17, 2020. That includes an 0-6 mark last winter in which the Mules averaged just over 28 points a game. Head coach Amanda Masson has decided to push the reset button and use this season as a fresh start with a roster fi lled with mostly underclassmen.

“We have a young team, but they’re defi nitely developing,” she said. “I can see us doing pretty well this season.” That optimism originated from training camp. The school doesn’t have a JV team, so the newcomers are learning the speed of the varsity game on the fl y. “They’re hustling and have a willingness to learn,” she observed. “It’s really challenging because there are a lot of freshman and sophomores that are not used to it. But them grasping it quickly is what I’m seeing.” The team is lead by sixthyear varsity point guard Princia Ulysse, who averaged just over nine points a game last season. senior season, followed by Keondre She had three double-digit Greene (6.7), Farvens Ulysse and he leaves the court, he has point games during her junior 12 to 18 points. When he played campaign, including a seasonon the JV, he was a double-digit high 17 against Oyster Bay on scorer.” Feb. 16. The coaching staff is also “She’s going to be handling excited about speedy sophomore the ball the most,” Masson said. guard Chad Wesley, who should “Now, this is her time to show pile up the assists offensively while leadership. She’s more vocal and “harassing the ball all over the confi dent in her plays and attackcourt” on defense, according to ing more.” Aksionoff. Ulysse will be joined in the The Mules are in the largest backcourt by sophomore Mikayla conference in Nassau and will Johnson. The pair established a play 16 conference games. nice chemistry during the preseason scrimmages and Masson is excited to see how that further develops in the coming months. Senior guard Jasmine Ackies is back with the team after missing last season and junior Jamila Smith will ease Ulysse’s workload as another guard. Freshman Tyzanae Reed is a tough power forward who projects to be the team’s top rebounder and junior Anissa McKay provides the spark off the bench.

MULES SEARCH FOR THE ELUSIVE ‘W’

The girls’ team enters the season mired in a 12-game losing streak that dates back to their last win on Jan. 17, 2020. That includes an 0-6 mark last winter in which the Mules averaged just over 28 points a game. Head coach Amanda Masson has decided to push the reset button and use this season as a fresh start with a roster fi lled with mostly underclassmen.

Princia Ulysee

Schedule

BOYS December

14 Wheatley 7:00 p.m. 16 @ C.S. Harbor 7:00 p.m. 18 @ Oyster Bay 12:00 p.m. 22 @ Friends Academy 7:00 p.m.

January

4 East Rockaway 7:00 p.m. 7 @ Locust Valley 7:00 p.m. 10 Carle Place 7:00 p.m. 12 West Hempstead 7:00 p.m. 15 @ Wheatley 12:00 p.m. 18 C.S. Harbor 7:00 p.m. 21 Oyster Bay 7:00 p.m.

February

1 Friends Academy 7:00 p.m. 4 @ East Rockaway 7:00 p.m. 7 Locust Valley 7:00 p.m. 9 @ Carle Place 7:00 p.m. 11 @ West Hempstead 6:45 p.m.

GIRLS December

14 @ Wheatley 7:00 p.m. 16 C.S. Harbor 7:00 p.m. 18 Oyster Bay 12:00 p.m. 22 Friends Academy 7:00 p.m.

January

4 @ East Rockaway 7:00 p.m. 7 Locust Valley 7:00 p.m. 10 @ Carle Place 7:00 p.m. 12 @ West Hempstead 6:45 p.m. 15 Wheatley 12:00 p.m. 18 @ C.S. Harbor 7:00 p.m. 21 @ Oyster Bay 7:00 p.m. 28 Carle Place 7:00 p.m.

February

1 @ Friends Academy 7:00 p.m. 4 East Rockaway 7:00 p.m. 7 @ Locust Valley 7:00 p.m. 11 West Hempstead 6:45 p.m.