Hewlett Advances to Playoffs With 43-34 Win Over Lynbrook

At this time of year, one of the most muttered clichés in the sports world usually proves to be spot-on: defense wins championships.

While securing the final Nassau Class A playoff berth hardly compares to winning a title, the Hewlett Bulldogs’ basketball program took another step in the right direction with an exciting 43-34 road win over Lynbrook. 

Sophomore forward Weldon Irvine scored a team-high 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as the Bulldogs held the Owls to their lowest scoring output of the season. Freshman Avery Feldman added 13 points and pulled down seven boards for Hewlett (5-7 in Conference A-II), which clinched a playoff slot for the sixth consecutive season. Lynbrook got a game-high 18 points from Kendall Bruton. 

Hewlett head coach Bill Dubin was very happy for his players. “We told them before the game to just go out and have fun,” Dubin said. “We’re a very young team, so I figured it was important for them to relax and just enjoy playing basketball. The game gets tougher when you worry. The boys really responded."

From the opening tap, it was obvious that this would be a defensive battle. Irvine set the tone with an early blocked shot, but Lynbrook senior John Hayes brought the crowd to its feet by answering it with a swat of his own. 

Offensively, Lynbrook could get nothing going in the opening minutes. With Feldman leading the way with eight points, the Bulldogs took a 16-4 lead. With the lockdown defense Hewlett was playing, it appeared the game could turn into a one-sided affair. 

But, back came the Owls. Lynbrook got a huge boost from Brandon Peresiper on both ends of the floor, and closed the first half on a 13-3 run. Bruton scored seven points during the run. Hewlett went to the locker room with a narrow 19-17 lead at the half. 

While Hewlett dominated the backboards and gave Lynbrook very few open looks, the Bulldogs went ice cold on the offensive end of the floor. Hewlett managed just one field goal in the third quarter and trailed 27-25 as the teams took the floor for the final quarter. 

After a rebound and put back by Peresiper to open the fourth quarter gave the Owls their biggest lead of the game, the Bulldogs took over. A huge 3-pointer by Dylan Sasson got Hewlett started on 12-0 run, and the Bulldogs put the game away. Sasson was outstanding on the defensive end of the floor all game long. 

Lynbrook head coach Chris Rube saw Hewlett’s defense as the difference. “They were a killer on the boards,” Rube said. “They limited us to one shot. Sasson is a strong, quick defender. He played great defense on Mike McVeigh, making him work for his shot. I have to give them credit. We needed other guys to step up, and we didn't have anyone to get us easy buckets.”

The Owls finished with a 4-8 record in league play.  

Hewlett, the 14th seed, will open the playoffs by traveling to No. 3 Seaford. Time and date of the game have yet to be announced.