Hicksville's Petrucelli comes up big late
Hicksville's Ryan Mannix fires a pass inside during the Hicksville 40-37 win over MacArthur. (Feb. 13, 2012) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Nick Petrucelli's season has been something of a crescendo. It started off very quietly before ending with a bang.
His game Monday night had a familiar sound. He was silent through three quarters before cranking it up in the fourth.
Petrucelli, who said he struggled offensively in the first half of the season, scored all eight of his points in the fourth quarter to lead Hicksville to a 40-37 win over MacArthur in Conference AA-II.
"My teammates had faith and told me to take over,'' Petrucelli said. "So I took over.''
Petrucelli hit both ends of a one-and-one with 2.6 seconds remaining to give Hicksville a 40-37 lead. MacArthur's Kevin Roach inbounded the ball to midcourt, where Andrew Seniuk found Gerard Cunningham, whose deep three-point attempt hit the backboard as time expired.
"We've been a more together team over the last couple of weeks,'' Hicksville coach Phil Essigman said. "We went through a rough patch, sat and talked about it and figured it out. Now I think they enjoy playing with each other more.''
That is thanks in part to the improved play of Petrucelli, who in addition to running the point, scored in double figures in three of his previous four games.
With the score tied at 30, Petrucelli scored six straight points, hitting a midrange fadeaway followed by a pull-up jumper along the baseline. After Petrucelli hit two free throws for a 36-30 lead with two minutes remaining, Seniuk hit a straightaway three-pointer, then a baby hook on the ensuing possession as MacArthur cut the lead to one with 45 seconds left.
Michal Julka answered with two free throws with 18.3 seconds left. A putback by Roach cut the lead back to one with 3.3 seconds left.
Ryan Mannix led Hicksville with 10 points. Roach led MacArthur (8-6) with nine points and Seniuk added seven.
Hicksville (10-4) heads to the postseason with a newfound confidence and a point guard who's making noise at the perfect time.
"I hope my confidence helps make my teammates confident,'' Petrucelli said. "We all came together. So now hopefully, we go deep into the playoffs.''
