Sports
NHP Boys Basketball Lose Tough Battle to Roslyn, 52-48
Turnovers prove costly as Gladiators drop Conference I-A contest
The New Hyde Park Gladiators boys basketball team nearly overcame a mistake-filled game, but in the end fell to Roslyn, 52-48, in Conference A-I action Friday night.
Done in by turnovers early, and in the final minutes, the Gladiators squandered a fourth-quarter lead. It was the second straight loss for NHP, which fell to 5-4.
"It's a young team that makes mistakes -- too many mistakes, too many turnovers," New Hyde Park coach Don Rood said.
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The Gladiators got off to a flying start as a Kevin Towey three keyed a 14-4 run to start the game. Then the turnovers began, and Roslyn chipped away at the lead. Mike Lefcourt's three point play gave Roslyn a 27-26 halftime lead. Making matters worse, NHP star center Greg Simeon ran into foul trouble. He scores six points before fouling out.
"We're not deep when it comes to a big man, which hurts us, especially against [Roslyn] which has some size," Rood said. "Him getting into foul trouble hurts a lot."
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Despite the adversity, the Gladiators seemed to be in good shape. They rallied to take a four-point lead after three quarters. Adam Priest's three put New Hyde Park up by four early in the fourth. However, Roslyn's Brett Hanfling answered with a three of his own, and after another turnover, Mark Gjonlekas hit a layup to tie things at 47, as momentum swung to the home team.
Things quickly disintegrated for NHP. A turnover, and Hanfling's second trey gave Roslyn the lead for good. Two more turnovers followed, and it became a battle of free throws.
Roslyn's Jesse Korn missed the front end of a one and one, giving NHP a chance, but the Gladiators were unable to convert down the stretch.
Frustration showed on the players and coaches faces afterward, knowing a couple less turnovers would have meant a win. They also know it's something they'll have to work on as league play continues Tuesday at Wantagh.
Records: New Hyde Park (5-4), Roslyn (5-3)
Hero: Brett Hanfling. The Roslyn guard hit both of his threes in the fourth, the second of which put the Bulldogs ahead to stay.
Turning Point: Hanfling's first three midway through the fourth narrowed the NHP lead to 47-45, then a turnover led to a Mark Gjonlekas layup to tie the game, and things went downhill from there for the Gladiators.
Quotable: "We were a little tired, a little short on the bench, some illness," NHP coach Don Rood said. "We had some tired turnovers toward the end...[but] it's really those first half turnovers that killed us."
Bottom Line: Despite the turnovers, New Hyde Park held a fourth quarter lead and had a chance to tie near the end.
Key Stat: 20 or more. That's how many turnovers Rood estimates the Gladiators committed. Too many early on, and several in the final minutes were too much to overcome.
Who's Next:Tuesday 1/11 @ Wantagh, 6:15 p.m.
New Hyde Park.....18...8...12...10.....48
Roslyn..................11..16....7...18......52
NHP: Towey 10-7-17, J.Justice 10-3-13, Priest 7-0-7, Hussein 0-3-3, Simeon 4-2-6, D.Justice 2-0-2. Three Pointers: Towey 2, J.Justice 2, Priest.
Roslyn:Hanfling 8-0-8, Wolfe 10-5-15, Gjonlekas 4-2-6, Pierce 6-0-6, Shenfeld 0-1-1, Slutsky 3-1-4, Peck 2-0-2, Greenwald 2-1-3, Korn 2-0-2, Lefcourt 2-3-5. Three pointers: Hanfling 2, Pierce 2, Slutsky.
