Pete Mastando scores 18 points in second half to help Manhasset overcome slow start
Reed Sealy, of Manhasset, races to the basket versus Bethpage defender Stephen Lazaridis during the game at Manhasset High School in Manhasset on Monday. Credit: Sam Johnston
There was kind of a familiar sight on the scoreboard for Manhasset in the first quarter — another slow beginning to the story of a game.
It owned all of two points and was down by seven to Bethpage with 90 seconds to go in the period.
“We’ve been having a lot of slow starts,” coach George Bruns said.
But this boys basketball team showed that it can recover.
After taking a one-point edge into halftime in Monday’s home matinee, Manhasset perked up considerably in the third quarter. It went on to win 68-51, thereby sweeping the two-game regular-season series and pushing its record to 12-2 overall and 7-1 in Nassau V.
“Sometimes, we just are too laid-back at the start, kind of nonchalant.” said Pete Mastando, the 6-6 senior forward who scored 18 of his 21 points in the second half, grabbed nine rebounds and made three steals. “We really just right from the tip need to come out with 100% energy.
“… I think if we can get a hot start from that first, second quarter and not wait until the third and fourth, we can really make a good run in the playoffs.”
Manhasset has taken a big step forward from last season after going 9-12 and ending with a first-round loss in the AA playoffs.
“We try to develop guys,” Bruns said.
Bethpage went 7-12 and didn’t make the playoffs. Now the Golden Eagles, who received 16 points and 10 rebounds from Justin Serio and 13 points and 13 rebounds from Mateo Alvarez, are 7-7 overall and 3-5 in the league.
“Like I told the kids, I’d hate to not make the playoffs two years in a row,” coach Jack Davenport said.
Mastando nailed a three-pointer and delivered a three-point play and Antonio Giannopoulos, who scored 13, knocked down a corner three in a 9-2 run to open the third, making it 33-25.
Manhasset ended up outscoring Bethpage 25-9 in the quarter — Mastando had 12 — so it was 49-32 heading for the fourth.
The defense helped fuel the charge.
“They wanted it more in the first half,” Bruns said. “We changed the whole tempo of the game with the press.”
The margin moved to 21 in the fourth before Bethpage cut it to 13.
“They’re a good team,” Davenport said. “They beat us much easier last time. We were much more competitive this time. Hopefully, it’s a sign that we’re getting better.”
