Dilpreet Singh, Charles Avallone carry New Hyde Park boys basketball past MacArthur
Dilpreet Singh of New Hyde Park looks to shoot during a boys basketball game against MacArthur at New Hyde Park High School on Jan. 14, 2026. Credit: Sam Johnston
New Hyde Park junior Dilpreet Singh stood alone at the top of the arc as pregame warmups came to an end. He refuses to leave the court before he hits a three-pointer, a superstition of sorts, and sure enough, his second attempt swished through the net.
“Got to make a shot before the game starts,” Singh said.
That routine for Singh saw him finish with 17 points, five assists and a steal as he helped the host Gladiators record a season-high in points, defeating MacArthur, 74-41, a in Nassau III.
The win came at an important time for New Hyde Park (7-3), which had lost to Jericho and West Hempstead before righting the ship Wednesday afternoon.
“We came out strong today, which we didn’t do in the last two games,” senior Charles Avallone said. “And it just took off from there.”
Avallone matched Singh’s 17 points and added 13 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks. Senior Christopher Notine added 13 points as the Gladiators scored 48 first-half points and led 69-30 heading into the fourth quarter. It’s an impressive turnaround from the four-win New Hyde Park team that struggled in 2023-24 and a step in the right direction following a 12-win season in 2024-25.
“They’re like little brothers; you’re proud of them when you see the growth,” New Hyde Park coach Shireem Cobb said. “And I’m on them when they’re showing that they need to work on a few things. I love that relationship that I have with them; it’s pure.”
Add in a high-effort contributor like senior forward Alex Grant, who had 11 points, eight rebounds, one block, and you get a versatile team that plays fast, rebounds well and can have good spacing with anyone capable of running the point in part to Singh’s impressive off-ball movement at point guard.
“Since we got shooters on the team, it helps spread the court,” Singh said. “It opens up the big men in the paint.”
Junior Ivan Adames led MacArthur (5-6) with 11 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals. It’s the first double-digit loss for the Generals, who entered Wednesday as winners in three of its last four.
“We were able to get over the hump these last few games,” MacArthur coach Brian Maini said. “. . . They started to believe a little bit, started to play with more confidence, more toughness, and they know that’s what it takes to win.”
Both Avallone and Singh know New Hyde Park isn’t synonymous with playoff basketball. It’s a perception the Gladiators hope to change this winter.
“New Hyde Park isn’t really known for athletics,” Avallone said. “But I think this year we got a pretty good team, and we’re looking to make a good run.”
Michael Sicoli covers high school sports for Newsday. He graduated from Quinnipiac in 2022 and left with a master’s degree in sports journalism in 2023.
