West Hempstead returns to playoffs

During the early stages of the second half on the Conference A-III boys’ basketball season, it appeared that West Hempstead’s chances of earning a playoff berth were slim at best. The Rams were foundering with a 3-4 record, they were struggling to put together a complete four-quarter effort, and their upcoming schedule was brutal. 

What a difference a few weeks make. The Rams (7-5 in conference play, 10-7 overall) locked up a playoff spot with a 51-40 win over Lynbrook on Monday night. They'll take a four-game winning streak into this Friday's first-round playoff game at Great Neck North.

Last Friday, senior Pat D’Haiti scored 11 points, grabbed six rebounds, had four assists, and five steals to lead West Hempstead to a 62-47 victory over defending county champion Manhasset. It was the Rams third straight victory. Vinny DiLorenzo scored 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds, and Tyree Glascoe added 14 points and dished out seven assists. 

West Hempstead coach Ed Cosgrove believes hard work was the key to the team’s turnaround. “Our defense is far better than it was at the beginning of the season,” Cosgrove said. “Playing great defense has led to a lot of opportunities on the offensive end, and we’ve made the most of them. We needed to beat three teams who were ahead of us in the standings, and we got it done. We’re playing very well.”

One of the players at the forefront of the recent winning streak is DiLorenzo, who was a reserve for most of the season. With the Rams struggling at the half in the first meeting against Lynbrook, Cosgrove called on DiLorenzo. The junior forward scored 12 points in the second half to lead West Hempstead to a 57-50 win.

DiLorenzo has averaged a double-double since being inserted in the starting lineup. He scored a career-high 18 in a loss to Valley Stream South, and picked up 17 as the Rams squeaked by Floral Park 55-54. Sophomore forward Darren Davy pulled down 14 rebounds in the win.

Cosgrove can’t say enough about DiLorenzo’s play. “Vinny has been a big part of our recent success,” Cosgrove said. “Any team with size had been giving us problems. Vinny has been great on the boards, and his effort on defense is terrific. He has made us a more versatile team.”

Glascoe, the team’s leading scorer, has been outstanding all season. The junior point guard is averaging 21 points per game. In a huge win over first-place Glen Cove, Glascoe scored 10 of his game-high 22 points in the final quarter to give the Rams a 65-61 win. D’Haiti added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Cosgrove believes his team is prepared for the postseason. “I’m very confident that we are a playoff-ready team,” Cosgrove said. “Playing in this conference with the teams we faced all season has us ready. We’re a dangerous team. I feel good about us going into an opponent’s gym and winning in the playoffs.”