Elmont late surge stops VSS

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Despite owning the top seed in the Nassau Class A boys' basketball playoffs, Elmont head coach George Holub knew his team would have its hands full with No. 17 Valley Stream South.

The Falcons, winners of two county titles over the past three seasons, brought size, talent, and experience to the floor, and were coming off a 51-46 road win over Wantagh in the opening round of the playoffs.

Holub’s instincts were spot-on. In a game where the final score wasn’t close to being indicative of how tightly it was contested, the defending state champion Spartans scored 13 of the first 15 points of the final quarter to break open a nail biter en route to a 65-46 victory before a standing-room-only crowd at home last Friday afternoon. 

Elmont (17-4) got a game-high 24 points from junior K.C. Ndefo, and 17 apiece from Ismael Astasie and Victor Olawoye. Dominick Arcodia scored 13 to lead South. The Spartans advanced to the quarterfinals where it will take on No. 8 Floral Park at home on Thursday at 1 p.m.

The Falcons, who finished with an overall record of 13-9, led for nearly all of the first half, and trailed by just four points when the teams took the floor for the final eight minutes. But, the Spartans picked up their game in the fourth quarter, outscoring South 29-14.  

Holub wasn’t surprised by how the game played out. “We made some silly plays in the first half, and we weren’t playing defense like we can,” Holub said. “South has a good team, and I knew their size would give us trouble. We’re a really young team, and only a few guys have playoff experience. And, for one reason or another, we struggle a little bit at home. I’m pleased with the way we battled in the fourth quarter.”

The Falcons came out looking like a team on a mission. All five starters scored as South ran out to a 17-8 lead at the midway point of the opening quarter. Elmont didn’t get its first lead until Olawoye stole the ball and converted on a layup with 7.8 seconds remaining in the first half. 

While Ndefo put up the biggest numbers, it was Astasie who was the difference-maker. The junior guard went the to basket with authority all game long, was a pest on defense, and was the first to hit the floor to fight for loose balls. Astasie’s 17 points were his career high. 

“That’s how we need Ismael to play,” Holub said. “K.C. and guys who are playing nearly the whole game can’t go at it like that for 32 minutes. Ismael came off the bench and gave us a big spark. We needed that today.” 

After a traditional three-point play by Ndefo gave the Spartans a commanding 47-34 lead with 5:36 to play, South showed some grit and cut the lead to nine. But, the Falcons could get no closer. Senior guard Ozzy Traill scored 11 points for South.

VSS head coach Matt Johnsen appreciated the effort he got from his team. “To hold a team like Elmont to 28 points in the first half on their home court is something,” Johnsen said. “Most of their scoring came in transition. We did everything we worked on in practice, and we were right there with them. But, in the last quarter they showed why they’re the top seed. I couldn’t be any prouder of my guys. They never quit. They were a great group to coach.”