Revamped Bellport eyes playoff spot

To say Rich Brown has come full circle in Bellport’s boys basketball program would be an understatement.

From student-athlete to JV head coach to varsity assistant, Brown now has his “dream job” as the Clippers’ varsity head coach. The 2006 graduate who played professionally in Spain, Australia, and Costa Rica served the past three seasons as an assistant under Peter Grossi.

Brown earned his first head coaching victory on Dec. 3 when Bellport knocked off neighboring Patchogue-Medford, 57-49, in the non-league opener for both teams. Junior guard Amari Trent, the lone returning starter from a team that graduated 10 off last season’s roster, led the way with 21 points, and junior power forward Julian Croke added 20.

“We didn’t bring back much experience at all,” Brown said. “We have a defense-first philosophy, but we want to play fast and aggressive offensively. Organized chaos. We’re about toughness, grit and fight. I’m seeing it so far and other coaches have praised how we’re playing.”

Bellport, which finished 14-7 last season, takes a record of 4-2 overall and 2-2 in League III into the holiday break. It needs to finish with a .500 league mark to qualify for the Suffolk Class AA playoffs, and Brown believes the team is capable, despite the lack of varsity experience.

“We’re in one of the toughest leagues on Long Island,” he said. “Seven of the nine teams made the playoffs last season.”

Brown said the Clippers’ starting five appear set and will look for the depth to improve as the season unfolds. “We’ll go eight or nine deep in games,” he explained.

Trent is their most accomplished player and someone opponents will game plan against. He’s off to a hot start, averaging 18 points per game after hitting for 8.5 ppg a season ago. “He’s smooth and steady and has good size for a guard,” Brown said. “He’s quick and shifty. His points are coming primarily in the paint, but he’s dangerous in transition.”

Freshman Carmelo Flippen is thriving already at point guard after starting for the JV last season. “He’s a jolt of energy and scoring in double figures,” Brown said. “He might be the smallest kid on the court, but he plays big. He’s a defensive menace.”

Croke is a 6-foot-5 lefty who has proven capable of posting double digits in points and rebounds every game. He also provides rim protection with ability to swat away shots. Croke had 21 points and 18 rebounds on Dec. 18 as the Clippers rolled past Centereach, 70-39.

Senior center Jordan Simon is a quality rebounder in the post as well.

Brown said senior Elie Malcolm is the team’s best on-ball defender, but also someone who can score in double figures. He had 15 versus Centereach.

Croke, Simon, and Malcolm were all varsity reserves last season now stepping into bigger roles.

All five starters scored in double figures on Dec. 12 in an impressive 70-43 League III victory over perennial contender Northport. Trent had 17, Croke and Flippen 13 apiece, Malcolm 12 and Simon 11.

“That was a true test for us and a quality win,” Brown said.

The Clippers are back to league play on Jan. 5 when they visit defending county champion Half Hollow Hills East at 4:30 p.m.