Glen Cove Boys Basketball Beats Valley Stream North in Season Opener

Defense was all Glen Cove boys’ basketball coach Peter Falen talked to his team about before tipoff Thursday night as the Big Red took on the Spartans of Valley Stream at home. The Big Red executed early on defense in the first quarter converting defensive stops into easy baskets.

The Big Red's defensive intensity did not carry over into the second quarter. With the combination of hot shooting by the Spartans’ Anthony Martelli and easy layups by CJ Byron, the Spartans converted a 12-3 run in the first six minutes of the second quarter. It was clear that the Spartans were not giving up without a fight.

The Big Red went into halftime with a 26-20 lead.  

“In the beginning of the game we pressed them right away, that gave us the cushion in the beginning but our over aggressiveness gave them points back and that’s why the gap closed,” said coach Falen.

The third quarter produced similar results as the Spartans went on a 10-4 run in the first three and a half minutes as CJ Byron continued to convert Big Red turnovers into made baskets on fast breaks and tied the game at 30 apiece with 4:26 remaining in the third quarter.

Score: Glen Cove 50, Valley Stream 46 

The Turning Point: Both teams began to trade baskets and ended the Spartans ended the quarter with a 37-35 lead. The Spartan defense and well of easy baskets ended as the Big Red began making two key defensive stops and converting  two steals into made baskets  in the fourth quarter.

With a 44-43 lead and ten seconds left in the ball game, Glen Cove coach Peter Falen called a time out. Coming out of the time out, sophomore Frankie Mickens drives to the basket and flips the ball in the cup. The basket goes in with five seconds remaining.  

”That play actually was not designed for Frankie Mickens,” said coach Falen. But it was obvious he wanted the ball and he took the ball to the basket—there was no charge, they gave us the basket, and I tell you what, good for him he deserves it.” 

With the big basket and a made free throw following, Glen Cove won, 50-46.

The Heroes:  Sophomore Frankie Mickens' acrobatic basket with five seconds remaining in the ballgame propelled the Big Red (1-0) to a four point lead and led them to victory in non-league play. Mauro Carignano chipped in 14 points with a couple of nifty post plays.

The Quote: “Going into the fourth quarter we were chasing a couple of points, we got a couple of steals to get the lead back and the bottom line was, that last possession,” said Falen. “Next practice we’ll be working a lot on defense and a lot on the free throw line too."

The Bottom Line: In order for Glen Cove to have a successful season, they must keep early leads in games and prevent opposing teams from converting easy baskets off turnovers.  

Inconsistency on defense throughout the game caused the theatrics in the fourth quarter. Thankfully they survived with a win.

Key Stat: Devin Hayes added 13 points and 12 rebounds for Glen Cove.

 Who's next: 12/15 @ Locust Valley 6:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball Non-League 

Teams……….................1.....2.....3.….4 …..F

Glen Cove….................16...10.....9….15….50 

Valley Stream North.....4....16....17….9…..46