Mules Coach Darrol Lopez named coach of the year

After 11 years of coaching the Malverne Boys Varsity Basketball team, which recently won a county championship for the seventh time in eight years, coach Darrol Lopez has been recognized for his dedication to the students and his efforts to make the Mules a winning team: the Nassau County Boys Coaches Basketball Association has named Lopez Conference Coach of the Year.

Lopez, who was nominated for the title by other coaches in the conference, attributes much of the team’s success to the boys’ hard work and dedication, as well as to the team associate head coach Walter Askinoff and academic coach Allen Lewis.

“It should be ‘Coaching Staff of the Year,’” Lopez said of the honor. “Coach Askinoff and Coach Lewis play a big role. It’s about the kids and the coaching staff working to produce academically and athletically. Everyone plays their parts, and my coaching staff did another fine job. The integrity they bring to the Malverne program is second to none.”

Lopez, who has also coached baseball and tennis for the Malverne school district, was honored at an awards ceremony in March. Several of his players were also honored with awards. While seniors Xavier Bernard and Ronald Spencer, along with sophomore Andre Berry, were named All-Conference, seniors Anthony Moultrie and Cory Alexander won All-County. Alexander was also named Player of the Year in Conference BC.

The Mules were crowned Nassau County Champions on Feb. 24. The team has also been Long Island Champions for the last four years.

“It’s always great for the kids when they win championships,” Lopez said. “Our goals are set high at the beginning of the season, so it’s easy for me to coach the kids when we know we have to work hard.”