Unfamiliar territory for Mules

The Malverne boys’ basketball team is off to a rather inauspicious start. After last Friday night’s 77-68 road loss to East Rockaway, the Mules have lost two of their last three games in Conference BC. Junior guard Dylan Delury scored a career-high 22 points to lead the Rocks, while Malverne was led by sophomore Aaron Jackson’s game-high 25.

Mules coach Darrol Lopez believes the remedy for the slow start is to get back to basics. “We lack experience, and haven’t played a lot as a unit,” Lopez said. “It’s a struggle right now, but the guys are working hard. We needed to slow things down a bit, and try to get the guys to get a better feel for the flow of the game. Defensively, we’re not close to where we want to be.”

Malverne (4-4 overall, 4-2 in conference games) fell behind early against the Rocks, and played catch-up throughout. Junior Andre Berry, who entered the game averaging 22.2 points per game, was held to a season-low 14 points by a defense that was doubling him each time he touched the ball in the paint.

The Mules trailed 39-28 at the half, but Jackson and guard Tim Pruitt led the comeback bid. Malverne tied the game at 54 early in the final quarter, but East Rockaway converted numerous baskets in transition and pulled away. Senior Justin Jonas scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Rocks. It was the first time East Rockaway beat the Mules in the past 26 years.

Earlier last week, Malverne knocked off previously undefeated Locust Valley, 65-58. Berry was unstoppable, putting up 29 points and ripping down 15 boards. Senior Marc Jean had five assists for the Mules. The previous game saw the Mules drop a league contest to Friends Academy 64-59, despite a 27-point effort from Berry.

In a thrilling 78-73 overtime win over Oyster Bay, Pruitt scored a career-high 27 points for Malverne, which trailed by five points entering the final quarter. Berry had 16 points and 12 rebounds. The Mules also picked up league wins over Cold Spring Harbor and Wheatley.

The Mules had a rough go in the annual Hank Williams Holiday Tournament. Malverne opened up against Class A power Lawrence and was beaten handily 100-77. Junior Eddie Robinson scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Lawrence, which lead by 36 points at the half. In the consolation game, Darren Davy’s layup with nine seconds left gave West Hempstead a 66-64 victory over the Mules.

Lopez expects few easy wins in what appears to be a very balanced conference. “The conference is strong, and everyone is gunning for us,” Lopez said. “Every game is close for us, because everyone brings their ‘A’ game. Maybe in the second half of the season we’ll play better, but for now, every game could go either way.”

Malverne hosts Wheatley this Friday at 7 p.m.