Battle-tested Spartans think big

The bar has been raised on the basketball court at Valley Stream North. After qualifying for the playoffs in three of the past four years and pulling off an upset win over Roslyn in the first round of last year’s postseason, the Spartans are looking for big things.

If North can perform the way it did in its 78-61 victory over Island Trees in the opener of Conference IV-A play, the Spartans should be in the hunt for a title. Junior Anthony Martelli knocked down five three-pointers en route to a season-high 22 points to lead North, which entered the New Year with a record of 2-4 overall. Point guard Marvin Eveillard scored nine points and dished out six assists. Corey Jacques added 18 points.

Head coach Fabian Jara was pleased to get the win in the conference opener. “It was the most complete game we’ve played thus far,” Jara said. “Everyone contributed. We have a lot of talent on this team. The boys need to trust their ability each time they take the floor, and put the same trust in their teammates.

“The first goal is to win the league,” he added. “The conference is very balanced. I believe we can beat anyone, but I also believe anyone can beat us. We have to come to play 32 minutes each night.”

Jara prepared the Spartans for conference foes by scheduling tough non-league games. North welcomed in a solid West Hempstead team on opening night and, despite 22 points from center C.J. Byron, fell to the Rams 71-57. West Hempstead’s Ray Alexander had a game-high 26 points and pulled down eight rebounds for the victors.

Next up was the Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament at Herricks. Martelli scored 18 points and Byron chipped in with 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Spartans came from behind and beat Sewanhaka 48-46. North trailed by seven points early in the final quarter. 

The Spartans were beaten by a strong New Hyde Park team, 62-47, in the title game. Eviellard scored 15 points and Dondre Irving added 10. Tournament MVP Adam Priest led all scorers with 26 points.

North had another big test when Wantagh came to town. The Spartans played a solid first half, but in the end the Warriors were too much in a 66-53 victory. Martelli had 18 points. The Spartans, who host Seaford this Friday at 7:45 p.m., hung with MacArthur for a half last Friday before losing their final non-league contest.

Jara has high hopes. “We want to continue to build the program, and the guys know that expectations are high,” he said. “Not just from a basketball standpoint, but academically, and off the court as well. In terms of preparation, we’re making practices more difficult than the games. We’ve had some success in making the playoffs, and took another step in winning a playoff game last season. Now it’s time to take things to another level.”