Half Hollow Hills East seeks redemption in the Long Island boys AAA basketball championship after two seasons marked by frustrating buzzer-beater losses. Senior center Jordan Cador reflects on the emotional weight of past defeats while coach Mike Marcelin emphasizes the rigorous preparation that shaped their successful season. The team, boasting a 20-3 record, underwent intense offseason training and faced tough opponents to build resilience, resulting in dominant playoff victories. As they approach the championship against Port Washington, the Red Hawks are driven to rewrite their narrative and claim the title they narrowly missed in previous years.
When we go in [to Farmingdale], the wound just opens up again, senior center Jordan Cador told The Post after beating William Floyd, 57-40, to win back-to-back Suffolk County titles last weekend. It was a really close game around the half. We got the flashbacks of what could have been and we started to pull away after that, motivated by what we didn't want to happen again.
We cut no corners, we wanted to be prepared this year, coach Mike Marcelin said of his 20-3 squad, whose season truly began a day after losing to Elmont last March. We've been putting in the work [in the] offseason - the guys have been in the gym nonstop. They matured their game on and off the court. We've developed, and I think we're just growing as a team.
Nevertheless, their only three losses, which Marcelin called an important dish of 'humble pie,' led to double-digit victories in all of the Red Hawks' playoff games.
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