The overall 12-8 (boys) and 14-7 (girls) records tell only part of the story for the New Hyde Park basketball program this season. With impressive winning records in competitive leagues, the basketball teams rose to the occasion and closed out strong seasons filled with leadership and resilience.
The girls team gathered NHP’s support in their run to the second round of playoffs. With only four seniors and a younger team, the girls demonstrated their hard work and grit through every challenging game. This ultimately helped them clinch the fifth seed for playoffs, marking an impressive achievement.
“I felt great about the season overall and truly happy with what this team accomplished being second in our conference, having a conference record of 10-2 and winning a playoff game for the first time in 15-plus years,” senior Noelle Russo said. “What led to our team’s success this year was having a great team chemistry on and off the court. We were all able to have fun but be serious when we needed to be in practice and that made our team bond truly stronger.”
Several girls players stood out and achieved recognition for their performances throughout the season. Senior Maeve Downing was not only awarded the all-county honor but was also named the Conference AA1 Defensive Player of the Year. Similarly, senior Breanne Noguera received the all-county award, along with being named scholar athlete. As both Breanne and Maeve recently returned from ACL injuries, their comebacks and success is a portrayal of their determination and ability to rise above setbacks. Other standout athletes include senior Kayden Erazo, who was awarded all-county honorable mention; senior Noelle Russo, who was awarded all-conference; and junior Aisling Booth, who was awarded all-conference.
“I had a ton of support from our ATC Lebron and coach Bello who helped me prep all summer and fall to get ready for the physicality of basketball. I knew how much I loved this season and missed it ever since I got hurt so returning to play, I felt the need to give it my all and make the season last as long as possible,” senior Breanne Noguera said. “From all of the support and my love for the team, it made me work hard to achieve all-county.”
“I overcame my ACL injury through staying positive and doing my physical therapy workouts every day to get back and better as quickly as I can. I achieved all-county recognition through getting my teammates involved on the court and being determined to help my team score in every possession,” senior Maeve Downing said.
In contrast to the girls team, a notable aspect of this year’s boys team was its senior-filled roster. Thirteen out of 17 players being seniors on the team created an experienced atmosphere. However, with the seniors graduating at the end of the year, the roster leaves questions about next season’s program and leadership. Nevertheless, the team was able to celebrate their positive season and focus on their achievements.
“Our season overall went well, I feel like we created buzz around NHP basketball that has not been felt for a long time,” senior Charlie Avallone said. “Going in we wanted to make a deep playoff run and could not get it done but I cannot be prouder of our guys.”
Although the season ended unexpectedly early in the first round of playoffs against a strong Long Beach team, the team’s overall performance brought together the New Hyde Park community and created an exciting atmosphere in the school. NHP students would cheer on the team with enthusiasm, filling the stands and creating noise that energized the players.
“The season was a mix of highs and lows. I grew a lot as a player and learned how to stay focused and contribute more in key moments. The biggest challenge this season was staying consistent. Some games we played really well, but other games we struggled to execute and stay focused,” junior Dilpreet Singh said.
Dilpreet Singh, a current junior who led the team as point guard, is expected to be a core member of the program next year. He was recognized as a standout player in Nassau County, receiving all-county honors. Charlie Avallone also received this award for his impressive and dominant performances. Moreover, Chris Notine achieved all-conference recognition as a result of his significant contributions to the team.
“I believe it was a good season. We had some great experiences like playing in Nassau Coliseum. Fans brought great energy to every game. We won 12 games again and we were fortunate enough to make the playoffs and earn a home playoff game. The team was more balanced than it had been in previous years and we had multiple guys who could help contribute in different ways,” boys varsity basketball coach Mr. Cobb said. “As a team we believed we had what it took to win a playoff game. Unfortunately that did not go our way. The difference between last year’s playoff game and this one was that we had a fighting chance until the end. Though we wanted to win, the kids played hard and that is all I can ask for. It was probably the most even matchup of the round out of all teams and unfortunately someone had to lose.”
The impact of this year’s basketball program is greater than a winning record. The girls and boys seasons united New Hyde Park Memorial and created a culture filled with excitement, support and a sense of community.
