VSS eyes home playoff game

A year after a lack of teamwork and defensive intensity spelled doom on the basketball court for Valley Stream South and resulted in just two wins against Conference A-III rivals, coach Matt Johnsen’s team is headed to the playoffs and seeking to host the first postseason game in program history.

Led by the backcourt tandem of senior Diego Maldonado and freshman Dana King, the Falcons are 5-3 in conference play and 8-7 overall after a tough 58-52 home loss last Friday to Floral Park. Maldonado poured in 20 points, and King added 17, marking the 15th time in as many games each scored in double figures.

“We’ve taken on an Army of one mentality,” Johnsen said. “Everyone knows their roles, and the most important thing is they’re playing together like a team. As a coach, I can’t ask for much more.”

King, a lightning-quick point guard who started on varsity as an eighth-grader, continued his torrid scoring pace against Floral Park. He sank three shots from behind the arc, giving him 14 over the last three games. Dating back to Jan. 11, when he scored a career-high 36 points in a loss at Floral Park, King is averaging 24 points per game.

“Teams have defended us a little differently the second time around because of the way Dana plays,” Johnsen explained. “He’s so fast with the ball, they’re wary of him slashing to the rim. They’ve played off him more, but he’s taken advantage and knocked down a lot of outside shots.”

 Maldonado, a shooting guard with NBA-range, drained two treys last Friday, giving him 48 on the season to rank among the leaders in Nassau County. “Diego’s going to get his points no matter what,” Johnsen said. “He’s a great shooter. He’s the type of kid who comes early to practice every day and never wants to leave. He’s always working on his game.”