V.S. South wins three straight

At full strength for the first time all season, Valley Stream South held off visiting Great Neck North in a wild fourth quarter for a 40-38 victory in a Nassau Conference A-III girls’ basketball game on Jan. 4.

Senior Ugo Nwaigwe had 15 points and 16 rebounds and senior Catherine Powell added 11 points in her first game of the season for the Lady Falcons, who improved to 3-0 in conference play and 5-3 overall.

“We still have a lot of work to do on offense, but we’re out-rebounding and out-hustling teams,” VSS coach Dan Drumm said. “We were diving all over the floor tonight, taking charges and doing all the little things.”

One big thing was the return of Powell from a knee injury suffered during soccer season. She hit a pair of threes, went 3-for-3 from the free throw line and brought the team’s already high level of intensity up a notch. “It was the best thing,” Drumm said of Powell’s waiting until after the New Year to step on the floor. “There was no reason to push her during tryouts and non-league games and even the first few conference games,” he added. “She’s someone who looks to go all-out all the time, even in practice.”

South trailed 10-6 after the first quarter and by one at halftime before outscoring Great Neck North by three in the second half to win it. The teams combined for 35 points in the fourth quarter after totaling only 43 through the first 24 minutes.

Nwaigwe, Powell, junior Jessica Liberato, and junior Christie DeMarco all had four fouls. Liberato hit a clutch three pointer in the fourth quarter, and Nwaigwe and Powell each hit two free throws down the stretch.

“We’re tougher from a mental standpoint and have been able to pull out some close games,” Drumm said. “There’s never a lack of confidence with these girls.”

Freshman Janise Hernandez stepped up during Powell’s absence and started the first eight games. Hernandez had six points in a 46-39 conference win over West Hempstead prior to the holiday break and will continue to see plenty of minutes, Drumm said. “We know Janise can start if we need her to,” he said. “She’s had a tremendous start to her varsity career.”

Junior Angela Aragona is learning and improving every day as the starting point guard, Drumm said. She had seven points against Great Neck North and is one of South’s most tenacious defenders. “She’s always one of the fastest kids on the floor and can guard anyone,” he said. 

Nwaigwe, bound for Wagner College, has been as good as advertised in leading the Lady Falcons in scoring and rebounding at 22 and 17 per game, respectively. The 6-foot-3 forward was unstoppable against West Hempstead and finished with 24 points and 19 rebounds. “She’s shown so much improvement from last season,” Drumm said. “Teams are playing zone and doubling her, but she still manages to score and rebound consistently.”