Hewlett nips Roosevelt in quarterfinals

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Trailing Roosevelt by one point and with its season in jeopardy for the second time in six days, Hewlett rallied with less than a minute remaining to win a thrilling Nassau Class A boys’ basketball quarterfinal playoff game, 64-63, on Feb. 23.

Junior Alyjah Hill hit the go-ahead basket with 35.4 seconds left for the seventh-seeded Bulldogs, who advanced to the semifinals for the third time in the last four seasons and sixth time under head coach Bill Dubin. Hill had a game-high 23 points, junior Luca Preziosi had a triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists), and senior Zach Bromfeld added 16 points and 12 rebounds.

“It was back and forth all night and our guys really stepped up,” Dubin said. “We beat them here a few weeks ago and this game was a very similar scenario. It was a loud environment and we were ready for it.” 

Second-seeded Roosevelt got 15 points apiece from Timmy Santana and Latrell Hollis. Santana, who sank a pair of free throws with 3.2 seconds left for the final margin, had a potential game-winning desperation heave graze off the rim at the buzzer after taking an inbounds pass with 1.9 seconds remaining.

“We were expecting it to come down to the wire,” Dubin said. “We beat each other during the season and know each other well. We played the same defense as last time, but we put in a few different looks on offense.”

The Rough Riders missed two crucial free throws with 9.6 seconds to go, allowing Hewlett to hold a 62-61 lead. Free throws by Bromfeld and junior Matt Mannino, who played a key role on defense and on the boards, extended the advantage to 64-61, and the Bulldogs intentionally fouled Santana on the ensuing possession to keep Roosevelt from attempting a shot from three-point range.

Hewlett (17-4), which rallied to beat Locust Valley in overtime in the first round, advanced to face No. 3 South Side in the semifinals on Wednesday night at Hofstra. A spot in this Saturday’s county championship game at Hofstra at 4 p.m. awaits the winner. The teams split regular-season matchups with each prevailing by double digits at home. Last winter, the Cyclones beat the Bulldogs in the semis, 48-47, after taking both regular-season meetings. 

“It should be a great game,” Dubin said. “They’re always prepared and we’re always prepared. Last year we had two chances in the final seconds and just missed.”