Malverne boys basketball's Bryce McIntosh scores 26 points to key 10th straight win
Malverne's Bryce McIntosh attempts a three-point shot against Island Trees during a Nassau boys basketball game at Island Trees High School in Levittown on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Credit: Derrick Dingle
No excuses, just produce.
It's a mantra that Malverne boys basketball coach Darrol Lopez has preached throughout the season, and one that Bryce McIntosh has perfectly executed.
"I play every game like it's my last," McIntosh said. "I want to win every game. We have a good momentum going, and we have to keep doing what it takes to get those big wins."
The senior forward had 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead Malverne to an 84-60 victory over host Island Trees in a Nassau VII matchup Friday evening.
"I'm going to miss him," Lopez said. "He truly loves the game. I can't wait until he goes to the next level."
Malverne started Friday with an aggressive man-to-man coverage, with junior point guard Shane Lee leading the charge. Lee, who has six steals, recorded three of Malverne's five steals in the first quarter.
"I got a lot of my points off of defense," said Lee, who added 14 points and eight assists. "We have great communication on defense. Our defense creates easy points in the fast break."
Island Trees went on a 7-2 run early in the second quarter to cut Malverne's lead to 26-20, capped off by a layup from senior Iben Angud. The Mules responded with an 11-1 run, sparked by a no-look pass from junior shooting guard Tristan Inswood to McIntosh in transition.
"Every team is going to make a run. That's the way the game is," Lopez said. "The great thing about us is that we are in great shape. They know how to play the game the right way."
Malverne used a 12-0 run late in the fourth quarter to open an 84-58 lead.
"We have a lot of chemistry with each other," McIntosh said. "We've all been playing with each other since middle school. We work together as a team, and that's what gets us these wins."
Andrew Innocent scored 11 points, Jason Miletic had nine points, and Julien Dumornay and Inswood both added eight points for Malverne (15-4, 10-1).
Angud scored 26 points, including five three-pointers, and Richie Montalvo added 16 points for Island Trees (5-12, 2-8).
"Any time you play against a team that is well coached, you have to stay home. You can't let [Island Trees] get their shot off," Lopez said. "We could've done better at closing out on him, but [Angud] played great."
Malverne is on a 10-game winning streak, and Lopez said that big wins prepare the Mules for the postseason.
"We still got a lot of work to do," Lopez said, "but any time you get a 'W', it's good for the program."
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
