Defense leads Uniondale over Freeport

With a pair of eighth-graders among its starting five, Uniondale boys’ basketball head coach Jaaz Styles expected some growing pains from the Knights and he’s hopeful Tuesday night’s 52-41 victory at Freeport ignites another upswing.

Senior Dameek Horton led all scorers with 16 points and senior Zahni Duncan added 12 points and 10 rebounds as Uniondale won for the second time in three games and returned to the positive side of .500 (7-6) while improving to 4-3 in Nassau Conference AAA-2. The Red Devils, meanwhile, lost for the sixth time in seven conference tries but still own more victories (5-8 overall) than their previous three seasons combined.

“Our defense picked up after the first quarter and we scored a bunch in transition,” Styles said. “It’s another step towards the playoffs and we’re looking to get in and see what happens.”

Freeport was led offensively by senior Elijah Darby’s 15 points and senior Jevon Saul’s 8 points and 8 rebounds.

“We’re trying to connect the dots,” Freeport first-year head coach Daryl Johnson said. “We’re a different team that we were a few weeks ago and we’ve been focusing on defense. We’re allowing just 51 points compared to 64 last season.”

The Red Devils, who had 26 turnovers, were without senior and leading scorer Jaylen Jean-Louis (9.6 points per game) and Johnson is hoping the absence is only temporary. The recent additions of the 6-foot-7 Darby and junior guard Juilmi Perez have provided a much-needed dose of experience.

Darby, who averaged 13 points per game last season, returned to the district after transferring to St. Francis Prep. In just his second game back, he exploded for 32 points on 11 of 14 shooting from the floor to lead a victory over Hicksville. “He gives us a post presence and he also likes to shoot threes,” Johnson said.

Perez, who also played for the Red Devils last season, was asked to provide a spark off the bench before getting his first start Tuesday night in place of Jean-Louis. “He’s very athletic and can score by driving to the basket or shooting from outside,” Johnson said of Perez.

Saul is one of Freeport’s go-to’s on the offensive end and also its leading rebounder. Junior Jayden Gordon is running the show from the point and has a strong command of the system, Johnson said. Both Saul and Gordon are averaging 7 points per game.

One of Uniondale’s young talents, Morell Toney, is sharing point guard duties with Duncan. “Morell has a high basketball IQ and is a pass-first player who gets everyone involved,” Styles said.

Horton, who was held to 7 points in the Knights’ 39-33 win over Freeport in the first meeting Dec. 11, was his usual self in the rematch and is averaging 14 points per game. His season high of 22 came in a close defeat to Massapequa Jan. 5. “Every opponent is keying on him, but he eventually gets his points,” Styles said.

Senior Joshua Bernard added 8 rebounds and 4 blocks for the Knights, who can move closer to clinching a playoff spot with a win Saturday against struggling Hicksville tipping off at noon. Freeport will try to avenge a loss to Oceanside at the same time.