BELLPORT – The Clippers are stringing together wins on the court this season at Bellport High School. The boys’ varsity basketball team is currently in the top five of the League IV standings, putting in the hard work each game.
The Bellport boys’ basketball team is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and competes in League III. The team is led by first-year head coach Rich Brown. Brown was an assistant before taking over at the helm. He’s joined on the sideline by assistant coaches Rob Powell, Darren Yancey, and Jarell White.
This season, the Clippers have a record of 8-5-0. Not bad, it’s still a winning record. The Clippers are a mixed bag; some of their wins are completely dominant, some are really close games. Opposingly, their losses are similar in that regard. All five losses came against league opponents. Of their eight wins, five were against league opponents, and three were against non-league opponents.
“We just want to focus and pay attention to detail and be better every day in practice. It’s a long season and our league is the strongest league in Suffolk in my opinion so we need to be prepared every day,” Brown told The Messenger.
Elie Malcom is a player to watch out for this season as the senior guard is consistently putting up numbers on the court. Malcom’s highest point total came against West Babylon and Smithtown West, where he put up 20 points. Malcom is producing on and off the court, most recently being inducted into the National Honor Society for Bellport. He’s a dual sport athlete, competing in basketball and football.
At guard, junior Amari Trent is a huge asset for the Clippers. Trent is a consistent 15-plus point player for Bellport. His game high this season was 30 points, which he put up against Greenport earlier this month. Trent is strong at the free-throw line, converting 33 times this season.
The lone freshman on the squad this season is Carmelo Flippen, who plays guard. Flippen has played in every game so far this season, putting up points in each ranging from three to seventeen. Freshmen, and sometimes even eighth graders, are becoming more common at the varsity level. Flippen has proven he can play with upperclassmen and make a difference for the Clippers.
“We actually only returned one starter from last season, so our team does not have a lot of veterans and experience. We are continuing to grow each day and hope to continue to improve,” said Brown.
The Clippers will see six seniors graduate this spring in Chad Gambles, Josiah Johnson, Elie Malcom, Nazir Reid-Turner, Jake Rubin, and Jordan Simon. Before they walk the stage in June, they’ll be honored for their contributions to the varsity basketball team when they celebrate senior night on February 3.
The Clippers’ schedule has them playing each opponent at least twice. For some, they’ll look to redeem themselves and pick up a win. The teams they’re still looking to beat are Smithtown East and Deer Park. They’ll face the Bulls at home and the Falcons on the road. For others, they’ll look to take the season series and go 2-0.
There are seven games remaining in the regular season, a mix of playing at home and on the road. The Clippers will look to win when it matters most as the season is winding down and playoffs are looming in the distance.
“The mindset is to take each day as it comes. One day at a time, one practice at a time and one game at a time,” said Brown.
