Malverne tops in Class B again

Another year, another title for Malverne.

Sophomore forward Andre Berry scored a career-high 24 points, including 16 in the second half, to lead Malverne (18-1) to a 69-49 victory over Wheatley (10-9) in the Nassau Class B championship game at C.W. Post’s Pratt Center on Feb. 24. 

Senior guard Cory Alexander had 17 points and eight assists for the Mules. It is Malverne’s 19th county title and sixth consecutive Class B championship. The Mules shot a scorching 70 percent from the floor, and hit 15-of-19 from the free-throw line.

Malverne will attempt to win its fifth straight Long Island title on March 9 at 8 p.m. at SUNY-Old Westbury. The Mules, who have won 14 straight, will meet Mattituck (15-5). The Tuckers knocked off Center Moriches to capture the Suffolk Class B crown.

Head coach Darrol Lopez was pleased with the play of his big man. “Andre had a very big day,” Lopez said. “We knew we had a size advantage, so we went with a bigger lineup. We got the ball in his hands and let him go to work. When he’s playing well, he’s tough to stop.”

After playing to a 13-13 tie in the opening quarter, the Mules stepped up the defense. With Alexander penetrating, dishing, and taking it to the basket, the Mules began to wear the Wildcats down. Malverne held a 31-23 lead at the break.

Lopez liked the position his team was in at the half. “It’s not surprising at all for teams to keep it close against us for a half,” Lopez said. “I felt like we were in real good shape, because of our conditioning. We’re started to put more pressure on them, and they began to wear down. The defense was the difference.”

The third quarter was all Malverne. With Alexander and junior point guard Marc Jean controlling the ball on the perimeter, and Andre taking over in the paint, the Mules began to pull away. They held a commanding 51-33 lead after three quarters. 

Any hope of a miracle comeback for Wheatley was thwarted by Malverne’s outstanding shooting from the line down the stretch. David Holland, Christian Hyon, and Chris Gould each scored seven points for the Wildcats.