Sports
Malverne Basketball Must Replace Star Players
The Mules will need to find an identity this season after losing four of their key players to graduation.
The Malverne boys varsity basketball team will look remarkably different when they step on the court this season. The Mules return only a few of their main players from a team that competed in the Long Island Championship last winter.
Cory Alexander, Xavier Bernard, Anthony Moultrie and Ronald Spencer have all graduated, taking the majority of the point-scoring and rebounding totals with them.
"We don't know what kind of team we're going to have this season," said head coach Darrol Lopez. "We're still trying to figure out what kind of players we have and how they're going to gel together on the court."
Find out what's happening in Malverne-Lynbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Returning Players:
MARC JEAN: The diminutive senior is a talented shooting guard for the Mules. He will be counted on to score in a tough Conference B-C schedule.
Find out what's happening in Malverne-Lynbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
ANDRE BERRY: Junior Andre Berry will make his presence felt with his big 6'6 frame at the center position.
TIM PRUITT: Pruitt is a senior guard who will be relied on for his shooting skills
AARON JACKSON: The 6'5 Jackson will be a power forward in the 3-4 man spot for the Mules. He is a talented player who should help provide some point production.
SHEEDE SCOTT: Sheede Scott is a 5'10 point guard who will help contribute off the bench.
Departing Players:
The Mules lose the majority of their roster who helped get them to the state semifinals two years ago and the Long Island Championship game last winter. Gone is the do-everything point guard, Cory Alexander, and a terrific supporting cast in Ronald Spencer, Xavier Bernard and Anthony Moultrie.
Expectations:
The Mules don't play their first official game of the season until Dec. 16, so they still have time to work together on the court as basically a new team. Marc Jean, Andre Berry and Tim Pruitt will have to set the tone for the rest of their teammates as the veteran players. But it still remains to be seen how well the team will do once the season starts.
"We've looked pretty good in some of our early season scrimmages," said Lopez. "But we still need to work some of the the kinks out before the season starts."
First Game:
Dec. 16 at Wheatley, 6:45 p.m
Next game: Home against Cold Spring Harbor, Dec. 20, 6:45 p.m.
