V.S. South in playoff hunt

Failing to reach the 40-point mark in any game hasn’t stopped Valley Stream South from getting into the win column or the Nassau Class A girls’ basketball playoff picture. 

“We spend most of our practice time working on defense,” Lady Falcons head coach Dan Drumm said. “We go out there and guard. We don’t play any zone unless we’re forced to, and we try to limit teams to one shot each trip.”

South didn’t allow a point to rival Valley Stream North until 10 minutes into its 25-18 Conference A-III victory on Jan. 15. Senior center Uju Nwaigwe led the way with 11 points and 12 rebounds as the Lady Falcons completed a season sweep of the Lady Spartans.

The first time South faced North, in the conference opener Dec. 15, the teams combined for just 14 points in the first half. The Lady Falcons then stepped on the gas over the final 16 minutes, scoring 29, and rolled to a 39-18 victory. Nwaigwe had 12 points and freshman Chibugo Obichere hit for 10.

“We want to be in the position where we have a shot at the playoffs with one game left,” said Drumm, whose team sits at 4-5 in A-III with five games remaining. “We’re in the picture, but we probably have to upset a Glen Cove or Lynbrook and beat everyone below us,” he added. “We’re treating every game like a playoff game.”

Drumm said the most complete game for the Lady Falcons so far came Dec. 30 when they went on the road and beat Bethpage, 34-30, and scored at least seven points in every quarter in the process.

“It was one of those games where it was close all the way,” he said. “It was great to see the girls hang tough in the fourth quarter and get the win.”

Nwaigwe was a factor at both ends of the floor and finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. Obichere had 11 points, sophomore Kelyse Land added six, and senior Cristina Russo chipped in four. No Bethpage player scored in double figures.

Nwaigwe, Obichere and senior Nicole Cutrone lead the team’s defensive effort, Drumm said. “Uju is a very good help defender and rebounder,” he said. “Chibugo guards the best opposing player every game. She’s faster than everyone on the floor, even as a freshman.”

Drumm lauded the defensive work against Glen Cove’s Grace Brady during much of South’s 30-27 home defeat on Jan. 12. Brady was held to a dozen points — a few below her scoring average — but did manage eight in the fourth quarter to help the Big Red squeeze out a tight game. Both teams picked up the pace after combining for just five points in the first quarter. Land tied Brady with a game-high 12 points.

The Lady Falcons, who seek their first playoff appearance in five seasons, can accomplish their No. 1 goal by finishing .500 or better, or fourth place or higher, in A-III. “It’s something we talk about,” Drumm said of getting to the postseason.