Buzzer-beater boosts Mepham

Mepham saw both sides of the victory spectrum last week, getting a buzzer-beating three-pointer from freshman point guard Allie Murphy for a 51-48 win over Herricks on Jan. 8, and then coasting to a 49-15 win over Elmont last Friday, holding the Lady Spartans to single-digit scoring in every quarter, and holding them off the scoreboard entirely in the second.

The victories improved Mepham’s mark to 17-2 in its last 19 games dating back to last season, including 7-1 overall this season (5-0 in Conference AA-II).

Seniors Nicole Castaldo and Mary Galgano led the way in the scoring department against Elmont, each netting 12 and draining four three-pointers between them. “We feel like we’re a real balanced team,” Mepham coach Jim Mulvey said, noting that the scoring load has been split up among several different players.

No hero was needed last Friday, but Murphy stepped up and answered the call in the win over the Lady Highlanders with less than a second to play. Herrick battled back from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to tie the game at 48-48 with just four seconds remaining. With neither team calling a timeout to set up a final play in regulation, Murphy took the ensuing inbounds pass, dribbled twice and let a three-pointer fly from her own end of the court, banking it in with just 0.7 seconds on the clock. “They switched to a zone in the fourth quarter which gave us a little trouble,” Mulvey said. “But Murphy stepped up.”

The win kept Mepham unbeaten in Conference AA-III play heading into a week that includes a home matchup with district-rival Kennedy on Friday at 6:15 p.m.

As impressive as Murphy’s game-winner was, so too was the defensive effort that helped the Lady Pirates jump out to a double-digit lead through three quarters. Herrick’s leading scorer, Alison Ricchiuti, the reigning Conference Player of the Year, was limited to four first half points — she ended up with a game-high 17 — as Mepham opened up an early 17-8 bulge. “Our defense has really made the offense go,” Mulvey said.

A close-knit group thanks to extensive off-court work and a number of fundraising events to help offset an early January trip to Pennsylvania for an appearance in the Pro Hoops New York/Philly Challenge, the bonding has paid big dividends on the floor as well. “The girls have stepped up beyond basketball and come together as a team,” Mulvey said. “It’s a close-knit group and the girls on the bench are up waving towels. They worked out all summer long and have done everything we’ve asked.”

Anchored by a senior class that is pushing for a fifth consecutive berth in the Nassau Class AA playoffs, the Lady Pirates have gotten contributions from all corners of the floor. In two late December victories, four players each hit double figures in scoring, including Galgano and senior Samantha Hishmeh, who combined for nine three-pointers in a win over district-rival Calhoun.