The Varsity Boys Basketball Team at Elmont Memorial recently completed a very successful season, bowing out in the Nassau County Division 1A semifinals. The Spartans, coached by Dave Kingsley and Mike Graham, started the year strong and finished with a flourish, defeating a favored Long Beach team to win the Quarter Finals and meeting top-seeded Uniondale in the Semis.

The Spartans, a young team returning most of its key players next season, relied on aggressive defense and opportunistic scoring to finish its season. Senior Charles Fernandez helped lead the Spartans to an overall record of 14-7- (8-4 in League 1A). Underclassmen Anil Chinnan, Danny Bazile, Troy Cammock, Steven Wong and Damien Gilyard showed great progress and improvement as the season went on and sophomore Jamar Daniel, recalled from JV at midseason, chipped in with positive minutes. All in all the future is looking very bright for the Spartans.

The semifinal game against Uniondale promised everything a playoff game should be: Star players, tight defense and exhilarating play. Elmont ran out to a quick 7-0 lead and played with confidence and zeal. Soon though, Uniondale played its way back into the game and Elmont got cold from the field. At half Elmont trailed by 10. In the second half Elmont made a few runs, drawing to within six of Uniondale with five minutes remaining, but the Knights prevailed ending a wonderful season for the Spartans.

As Elmont says goodbye to seniors Jamel Ried, Andy Roger and Charles Fernandez, they welcome new players from a very successful JV and prepare for next year. The tradition of success for Elmont boys' basketball is assured and next year promises even more excitement and success.