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<\/p>\nNASSAU COUNTY, NY. \u2014 As the week draws to a close, athletes across Nassau County are reflecting on the ups and downs of another part of their season. In Baldwin, Long Beach and Massapequa, there were mostly highs. <\/p>\n
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Read on to find out about the week that was in the Nassau County Team of the Week:<\/p>\n
Baldwin Boys Hoops Coach Hits 450 Wins <\/p>\n
Find out what’s happening in Long Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.<\/p>\n
A 57-37 win over Valley Stream Central was already reason to be proud for Baldwin High School\u2019s boys\u2019 basketball team, currently 17-2 on the year with an 11-2 record in league play. But for Coach Darius Burton, this one was a special feather in the cap: The win marked his 450th at the helm of Baldwin boys\u2019 hoops since he took the role 26 years ago. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes me feel old, to be honest with you\u201d Burton said Thursday. \u201cTo be here 26 years, it\u2019s a blessing to the community, to the talent that has been here for 26 years\u2026every year they just do a great job. It takes a village, you know?\u201d <\/p>\n
Find out what’s happening in Long Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.<\/p>\n
Burton noted Thursday that the modified and JV programs in Baldwin are undefeated, but said there\u2019s no trash being talked about records within the program. Baldwin took a 12-game win streak into its matchup with East Meadow Friday night, a streak they\u2019ve managed to maintain despite a trio of players going down with knee injuries before and during the season. <\/p>\n
\u201cI knew I had to be patient with this group, this is a very close-knit group,\u201d Burton said. \u201cIn my program, we are a big believer in the \u2018next man up\u2019 mentality. I\u2019ve been blessed to have so much talent in this community\u2026We just found a way, it took a little time but we found a way to figure it out. And these kids have bought into the system, especially defensively.\u201d <\/p>\n
While it has taken some work, Burton reiterated that the thing that brought this Baldwin team success has been a commitment to the fundamentals from across the lineup. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey do understand we\u2019re human, and at any point we can slip up, Burton said of the players. \u201cThe recipe doesn\u2019t change: Our best offense is our defense, and once the defense is cooking, everything else gets easier.\u201d <\/p>\n
Assistant Coach John Henry called Burton \u201cone of the most humble people\u201d he has worked with, noting that Burton didn\u2019t rest on his laurels much after number 450. In his 17 years as an assistant on Burton\u2019s staff, Henry said the thing that sets the head coach apart is the day-to-day work he\u2019s able to do. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow he prepares his teams, year in and year out, with the scouting, the film, and the everyday preparedness as far as the rigorous practice and preparing for battle, every single day,\u201d Henry said. <\/p>\n
For Burton, despite the number of wins on his record, the goal is the same this year as it is any year. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal every year is to go upstate. The goal every year is to win a state championship,\u201d Burton said. \u201cI have a lot of wins, we\u2019ve had a lot of great teams, a lot of Long Island championships, a lot of county championships, but what we need as a program is a state championship. And it happens one step at a time.\u201d <\/p>\n
Baldwin Girls\u2019 Hoops Remain Undefeated In League Play <\/p>\n
Staying in Baldwin, the girls\u2019 basketball team maintained an undefeated record in league play this week, rolling to a 72-29 league win over Valley Stream Central Tuesday night before taking a non-league loss to St. Mary\u2019s the next night. <\/p>\n
For Coach Tom Catapano, the secret to success this year was work the girls on the team put in before the season even started. A four-month season, Catapano said, becomes a bigger part of the calendar for Baldwin girls\u2019 basketball. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think our program really goes all year round. There\u2019s really no break, so, obviously the season is November to March, but we pick back up in April, we go all spring, all summer, all fall,\u201d Catapano said. \u201cLast year we lost six seniors, who all went on to play college basketball, and most programs would have a really down year just because of all the firepower that was lost, and our program was able to absorb those losses, and still be in the mix to win a championship this year.\u201d <\/p>\n
In recent weeks, Catapano said Baldwin alumna Kaia Harrison, a former Federation Class AA Tournament MVP, was back with the team during a break in her overseas season. The presence of alums like Harrison, Catapano said, as a valuable one for current Baldwin players. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur girls can see those legends of the past, it really inspires them,\u201d Catapano said. <\/p>\n
Baldwin took on Plainview Old Bethpage JFK Friday night, putting their undefeated league record on the line.<\/p>\n
Massapequa Girls\u2019 Gymnastics Captures County Championship<\/p>\n
On the ats, Massapequa gymnastics won the county championship Thursday night<\/a>, with Lexi Cuthbert and Sam Hogan qualifying for the New York state championship meet. That meet will take place in Utica on Feb. 28, 28, with Cuthbert participating on uneven bars and balance beam while Hogan competes in the floor exercise. Cuthbert, district officials said, placed first in the county on the beam at the county championship and state qualifier competitions. <\/p>\n Don’t see your team highlighted here? Contact your local Patch editor to tell them who was on top of their game this week. Whether it’s a huge win or a big line in the box score, we want to know who’s making plays.<\/p>\n Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.<\/a><\/p>\n