Defending champ VSS set for playoffs

Before the 2014-15 season began, Valley Stream South head coach Matt Johnsen talked about getting his young team to jell, and to have the Falcons playing their best basketball come playoff time. While South has had a rough stretch of late, the reigning Class A champion is again among the teams vying for county supremacy.

With one regular season game to play against crosstown rival Valley Stream North, the Falcons (12-4 overall, 7-2 in Conference A-IV) have locked up second place, and will be among the teams on the top half of the bracket when the playoff seeds are announced. They’re expected to host a first-round game this Friday night.

Despite losing two straight, Johnsen is optimistic about his team’s chances in the postseason. “I feel we have the best big man in the county in Hall Elisias, and the best overall player in the county in Dana King,” Johnsen said. “They know what it takes to get it done in big games. We need to get better on defense, and our offense against the zone has to improve, but I think we’re going to be ok. There are a lot of teams in Class A that can win the county. We’re looking forward to competing in the playoffs.”

After winning 12 straight, including their first seven league games, the Falcons traveled to Roosevelt on Feb. 4 with a conference title on the line. With King leading the way with 31 points and 14 rebounds, South knocked off the Rough Riders 71-69 in overtime when the teams met back in January.

The second meeting would go to Roosevelt. The Rough Riders got a game-high 26 points from Jordan Armstrong in a 74-63 victory. The Falcons cut a 20-point deficit to five, but Roosevelt was able to hold on for the win. King, who entered the game averaging 25.3 points per game in league contests, scored 22 in the loss.

Two days later, South was without King when it took on a talented North Shore team that can play with anyone. The Falcons were stingy on the defensive end, holding North Shore’s top scorers, Tyler Rieger and Nick Hartman, below their season averages, but the Vikings were able to pull off a 44-43 upset victory. 

Thomas Lipner’s free throw with no time left on the clock gave North Shore the win. A free throw by Elisias with 5.5 seconds remaining had tied the game at 43. Junior Jaremi Hernandez led South with 18 points. Senior Tajh Wilson added a season high 14. 

Johnsen believes his team took a lot of good out of the loss to North Shore. “Playing without Dana meant that other guys would have to step up and take on bigger roles,” he said. “We had a great practice leading up to game, and we did a good job of executing what we worked on. I think this game helped us shore things up as we get ready for the playoffs.”