The MacArthur boys’ basketball team took sole possession of second place in its eight-team conference as senior guard William Cheshire netted a career-high 22 points in a 52-43 win against East Meadow on Jan. 13.
Senior guard Tyler Eppich’s steal and pass to Cheshire, who converted a layup and foul shot, opened an 11-point lead for the Generals with 78 seconds remaining and sealed the victory.
In Coach Eric Rubin’s 100th game leading the Generals, MacArthur never trailed in improving to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in Conference AA-II. Baldwin occupies first place at 6-0.
East Meadow, which trailed by as many as 13 points in the second half, had closed to within three points early in the fourth quarter, but senior forward Dan Svenelid ripped down an offensive rebound and Cheshire nailed a three-pointer to give MacArthur a 43-37 lead with 6:34 to play.
Junior guard Brendan Smith contributed a career-high five points, including a clutch three-pointer late in the third quarter that halted a 13-5 East Meadow run.
Three days earlier, the Generals won a road game against Valley Stream Central, 65-59, as senior forward Kevin Roach followed a 30-point performance against Baldwin by pouring in 29 points. The consecutive scoring outbursts by Roach rank second and third in Rubin’s six seasons leading MacArthur.
Roach’s jumper with 3:54 remaining against Valley Stream Central broke a 54-all tie. Cheshire’s field goal then opened a four-point lead. Svenelid ripped down a rebound at the defensive end, leading to a free throw from Eppich that made it 59-54.
Roach’s offensive rebound and putback of Eppich’s missed three-point attempt gave MacArthur a 61-55 lead and prompted host Valley Stream Central to call timeout with 1:39 remaining. Eppich then produced a steal to help secure the win.
The Generals return to action on Friday, Jan. 20 at home against Calhoun.
