Bulldog Boys Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

Most high school basketball programs see the makeup of its team change from year-to-year due to graduation. Each season, a few move on, a few move up.

But the turnover that Hewlett has experienced this season is simply off the charts. 

All three seniors that began the year on the roster are no longer with the team, leaving the Bulldogs with a very different makeup than they had just a month ago. Some teams would pack it in and call it a season, but not Hewlett. 

With five juniors, four sophomores, and a pair of freshmen, the Bulldogs closed in a playoff berth on Tuesday with an impressive 79-54 home victory over Plainedge in Conference A-II play.

Sophomore Weldon Irvine scored 18 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead Hewlett. Junior guard Harrison Brenner scored 11 points and dished out six assists as the Bulldogs improved to 4-7 in league play, 6-8 overall. The win avenged a 59-54 loss to Plainedge earlier this season. 

Head coach Bill Dubin was pleased with his team’s effort. “We got out of the gates really well this time and were far more aggressive,” Dubin said. “We should have played them this style the first time we met. Our pressure defense was very good. We forced them to try to score by setting up their half-court offense. We’re getting better every day.” 

This one was never close. The Bulldogs utilized a full-court press, both zone and man-to-man, and never let the Red Devils get comfortable. Hewlett had a commanding 21-6 lead after the opening quarter. 

The second quarter was more of the same. The Bulldogs got into the passing lanes, forced numerous turnovers, and played the game at their pace. With Irvine and freshman Avery Feldman (13 points, six rebounds and six blocks) leading the way, Hewlett took an insurmountable 38-17 lead to the locker room at the half. 

Hewlett wasn't challenged in the second half. Sophomore Kevin Dehaney scored a career-high nine points for the Bulldogs. Plainedge was led by Brendan McSweeney’s 18 points. 

Hewlett will close out the regular season with a visit to crosstown rival Lynbrook on Monday at 5:15 p.m. If the Owls defeat Plainedge on Friday night, the stage would be set for a play-in game between the Owls and Bulldogs, with the winner heading to the Class A playoffs. Hewlett 56-38 when the teams met in January.