Boys Varsity Basketball Falls Short in Playoffs
The boys showed improvement, making the playoffs after a sub-.500 finish last year. Photo: Moad Karam
By TIFFANY TAN
with contributions by Malak Abdelmaged
The Boys Varsity Basketball team wrapped up their season with a record of 7-7, rebounding from a 4-10 effort last year. However, their playoff run was cut short in a nail-biter as they fell 56-54 to the third seed, Evander Childs, in the first round on February 27.
Both teams traded buckets early, finishing the first quarter deadlocked at 12-12. By halftime, Evander Childs was heading into the locker room with a 28-21 lead.
Refusing to back down, the Hornets clawed their way back, forcing overtime with a clutch fourth quarter to tie it at 49-49. Despite their relentless effort, Midwood came up short in overtime, ending with a 56-54 defeat.
Previously on February 25, the Hornets upset Flushing Campus in the play-in round, securing a 50-35 road victory.
Senior guard Samirkhon Bakaev led the team, putting up 18 points and shooting six for six at the free throw line. Darren Nhu ‘25, a guard and the team’s captain, also contributed 14 points and four assists, while junior Amare James racked up nine points and eight rebounds.
Midwood had a challenging 1-3 start to the season, with their early victory being a narrow 60-57 win over Paul Robeson.
With determination and grit, the Hornets were able to bounce back with four statement victories, defeating Edward R. Murrow 73-56, John Jay 68-65, Harry Van Arsdale 74-56, and Bushwick Campus in a 68-64 thriller.
“We’ve had some tough losses, but the team’s spirit remains strong,” said Mr. Victor Gjecaj, the team’s coach.
Their winning streak came to an end against Achievement First, the top team in the division, 93-46, followed by two frustrating losses to Westinghouse 52-49 and Brooklyn Tech 66-64. With fire, the Hornets came back with another win against Paul Robeson, 58-48 on February 1.
“We knew going into that game it was going to be a battle,” said Bakaev, who nailed a crucial 3-pointer early in the game. “It’s always special to beat a team like that, especially when you know how much it means to our school.”
A dominant senior night win over Murrow, 85-43, clinched a shot at the playoffs.
Several standout players made significant contributions throughout the season. Bakaev and Nhu proved to be dominant forces both inside and outside the paint, averaging 17.6 and 18.9 points per game respectively. Senior Tewodros Ewart also made an impact, averaging 8.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
Mr. Gjecaj emphasized building resilience, improving fundamentals, and creating a strong defensive and offensive strategy.
"It's about staying composed under pressure," said Mr. Gjecaj. "We know the talent is there, but we have to play smarter and work together as a unit."
“Coach prepared us well this season,” said senior Abdual Ashraf. “I just think that one thing we need to work on is swinging the ball better.”
The players highlighted the importance of team chemistry. Myles Edwards ‘26 said, “When the game is on the line, we know we can count on each other to get stops. That’s when we really lock in.”
“There are no egos between us,” said Nhu. “We know that it takes all of us to make it happen. Whether you’re on the floor or not, you’re part of the team. We all have each other’s backs.”
“We trust in each other and know we can get the job done, as long as we stay focused and play as a team,” said Ethan Henry ‘25.
The Hornets’ season was defined by resilience, growth, and relentless effort. With a foundation of returning talent, the team is prepared to build on their achievements and strive for an even greater success.