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02/03/2016 11:00 PMAfter dropping seven of its first nine games this season, the North Haven boys’ basketball team was in dire need of some wins to put itself in the State Tournament conversation. Well, now the Indians are the talk of the town after recently stringing together three-consecutive triumphs, including two on the road this week, to improve to 6-8 and stand just two victories shy of a Class L State Tournament berth.
North Haven tipped off the week by posting a 75-53 win at non-conference opponent Whitney Tech and then prevailed at Law 64-40 two nights later. First-year Head Coach Justin Falcon said the Indians are improving as a result of better preparation, along with more familiarity with his offensive and defensive systems. As one who played in the state tourney himself, Falcon wants his boys to experience the rush of competing under the postseason spotlight after missing out the last two seasons.
“It’s definitely something the kids are starting to believe in more now that they’re winning. [Athletic Director Todd Petronio] sent us the tournament packet and one kid was like, ‘This could happen,’ and I told him, ‘I know.’ I don’t like to talk about winning, winning. I just say to play your best basketball and we have a shot,” Falcon said. “It’s not even that it would mean a lot to me as a coach in my first year. It’s more for the guys on the team. I was part of a program that went to states and none of these kids have been a part of that, so it’s something where I want them to get it and they really deserve it with what they’ve been through. I would love for them to experience that.”
The first of the Indians’ three-straight wins was a 52-50 home victory over Lyman Hall on Jan. 29 that saw North Haven rally from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit. Junior point guard Anthony Beretta hit the go-ahead basket with 1.4 seconds left and North Haven went on to win in front of what Falcon called an “intense and energetic” crowd.
North Haven brought that momentum to Hamden for its duel against Whitney Tech on Feb. 1 and came out strong to hold a 20-9 advantage after one quarter. Whitney Tech won the second quarter 14-12 to trail 32-23 at halftime, but then the Indians blew the doors off the Owls (3-9) by outscoring them 25-11 in the third en route to the 22-point win. Coach Falcon said the third quarter has been North Haven’s “Achilles’ heel” this year and so he was pleased to see his team dominate the frame.
“We came out in the third with a little extra pressure to create turnovers and that created baskets…They forced shots without getting into their offensive sets. We tell the guys that getting a defensive rebound is just as good as getting a turnover,” Falcon said. “I was really proud of the guys. It wasn’t a celebration like [the Lyman Hall win]. It was like, we got a win, we needed it, business as usual, just one more toward the eight that’s our goal.”
Junior small forward Jack Steinman scored 18 points and also had five steals with seven rebounds to lead the Indians. Beretta, who’s starting at point guard now that fellow junior Tommy Dodge is out for the season with a torn labrum, netted 12 of his 13 points in the first quarter to aid the strong start. Senior guard Chris Watson had 10 points, sophomore forward Jarrod Sancho scored eight, and senior power forwards Emadi Okwuosa and David Mikos collected nine and seven rebounds, respectively, in the winning effort. Mikos captains North Haven with fellow senior Matt Sordi, who’s a guard.
On Feb. 3, North Haven went to Milford to face a winless Law squad and ensured the Lawmen stayed that way by claiming a 64-40 victory. It was tied at 10-10 after one, North Haven led 28-22 at intermission, and took a 42-33 to the fourth. The Indians then turned up the defensive heat in the final stanza to distance themselves from the Lawmen and drop them to 0-15.
Steinman again had five steals to complement his 16 points, Sancho scored 12 and added six rebounds, Mikos scored 11 points and also hauled in six rebounds, Beretta chipped in with 10 points, Watson scored eight, and Okwuosa had seven boards for North Haven.
As his Indians gear up for their last six games of the regular season, Coach Falcon feels that their early struggles toughened them up, leading to this nice midseason spurt and, hopefully, a late-season playoff push.
“They’re getting a sense of belief now, which is great. They’ve been through adversity and have built character with how they’ve climbed back,” he said. “They’re getting serious and their energy level is exactly where I want it to be.”
From the Sidelines
Prior to its recent wins over Lyman Hall, Whitney Tech, and Law, North Haven’s three other victories came against Law (62-56), East Haven (62-50), and Kaynor Tech (70-59).
The Indians need two wins in six games to make states. Their remaining schedule features contests at Career on Friday, Feb. 5; at Cross on Monday, Feb. 8; in East Haven on Friday, Feb. 12; and then three home games with duels versus Branford on Wednesday, Feb. 17; West Haven on Friday, Feb. 19; and Whitney Tech on Monday, Feb. 22. All of these games start at 7 p.m.
North Haven’s varsity roster is rounded out by three juniors in guards Bill Sgro and Mike Gagliardi, along with power forward Preston Young.
Head Coach Justin Falcon’s coaching staff features JV coach Matt McPartland, Scott Sheeley, and freshman coach Michael Lombardi.