Massapequa Boys Basketball Takes Down Hempstead

The Massapequa boys’ basketball team confronted one of  their biggest challenges thus far this season, narrowly defeating Hempstead in their own backyard by a score of 43-42.

The Chiefs (8-1) were so evenly matched with the Tigers that the game score never saw a difference of more than four points. Massapequa spent most of the game on the positive side of that equation due to their superior shooting.

The game went into halftime with score tied 18-18. Once the third quarter kicked in, Michael Donohue broke that stalemate with a sweet fadeway shot, putting the Chiefs up 20-18.

However Hempstead upped their game, pulling ahead early in the fourth. But a lay-up shot by Matt Smocovich gave Massapequa the lead once again.

Both teams played with a white-knuckled intensity, often pushing and shoving each other under the boards, which lead to multiple free throws for both sides throughout the game.

The final moments of the game were among the most exciting in recent memory. The Tigers' Ismael Pierre hit a three pointer with three seconds left to bring Hempstead to 43-42, and a foul put them in possession of the ball for a final attempt to win it all.

But Massapequa regained the ball with just over once second left. They ran out the clock and claimed the hard-fought victory.

Heroes: Ryan Van Buren was the high-scorer of the game with eleven points, including five free throws. Smocovich was close behind with ten points, including two three pointers.

Turning Point: Van Buren nailed two game-changing free throws with 44 seconds left that put the Chiefs up 43-39, leading to their eventual victory.

Quotable: “It's totally two different styles- we like to shoot, they [Hempstead] like to go up and down. We're no good at going up and down,” Massapequa head coach Martin Voigt said. “Hempstead is one of our toughest opponents...I think our league is the best in AA's. It's a tough league. This was a total team effort, we worked hard in practice, and it's going to pay off this year.”

Bottom Line: Both teams are were about overpowering offence. Little finesse was on display here; when a player got the ball, it was just a powerful drive to the opponent's net, which lead to much pushing and even a scuffle or two over possession of the ball. But in the end, Massapequa managed to convert possession of the ball into more successful shots than Hempstead could.

Key Stat: Massapequa hit five three-pointers, along with a total of 35 rebounds.

Who’s Next: Massapequa @ Oceanside, Jan. 11, 4:15 p.m.

Team…………..1…..2….3…..4…..F
Massapequa….9….9….10…15….43
Hempstead…...7….11…13…11….42

Reb.-Ast.-Pts.: M: Donahue 6-4-6, Fasulo 8-0-6, Young 3-3-8, Smocovich 2-1-10, Van Buren 9-1-11, Husmann 3-0-0, Walsh 4-0-2. Totals: 35-9-43. Three-Pointers: M: Young 1, Donahue 2, Smocovich 2.