LWA Tigers seek a four-peat

If the three-time defending state champion Lawrence Woodmere Academy Tigers needed a few games to adapt to the loss of four starters last year to graduation, they sure didn’t show it early on by opening their season with a whopping eleven straight victories.
As it turns out, the Tigers had plenty of talent waiting in the wings, many of whom gained valuable experience last season in what would ultimately end with the team’s second straight New York State Association of Independent Schools Class B championship (In 2017 they won the Class C title).
Much of their success has hinged on seniors John Malinka, Larry Rhabb and Tyler Coley, all of whom have brought leadership to the squad. Malinka, a 6-foot-10 forward, has especially blossomed into one of the team’s top all-around players, said his head coach, Jeff Weiss.
The team also boasts younger players with significant upside, including juniors Maurice Butler and sophomore Aiden Best, both dynamic players who have complemented each other sharing time at the point. Weiss also praised the play of juniors Jasigha Barnes and John Harrison, and sophomore Clinton Efinda.
Their most hard-earned victory may have been their first one, back on Nov. 25 hosting Luther High School. Trailing with under a minute left, the Tigers rallied to escape with a three-point victory, led by 14 points each from Malinka and junior Daniel Carrion.  

In another notable win, on Dec. 5 at Leman Manhattan Prep, the Tigers overcame a 13-point halftime deficit, putting forth a dominating second half performance to win 73-61. Barnes led all scorers in the game with 23 points.
Two weeks later on Dec. 19, they defeated Far Rockaway in an annual local rivalry game, 60-48, for their sixth straight win. Five more victories followed.
Among their graduating class last year was Aidan Igiehon, their star 6-10 center, who, after being recruited by top Division-1 colleges across the country, now plays at Louisville.
But a deep roster helped fill the gaps. “We’re still a very athletic group,” said Weiss, who noted they still have plenty of height to go with their up-tempo style of play.
The Tigers have hit a bit of a slump lately, however, losing three of four games this month, a stretch that Weiss chalked up to a lack of focus due to a combination of the holiday season and midterm exams.   
A lopsided win on Monday against Grace Day School might provide the jump-start they need to finish strong against what Weiss described is the toughest part of their schedule.
With seven games to go, the Tigers play three New York City-based schools next, hosting Regis High School on Wednesday before visiting Monsignor McClancy on Saturday and coming back home to host Trinity High School two days later. They’ll wrap their season on Feb. 12 at home against Salesian, a team based in New Rochelle. 
With their success so far, Weiss said he sees no reason his team can’t successfully defend its state championship streak.  
“The kids are working hard,” he said. “They’re really vested in success and I have good feelings about us moving forward.”