Despite Loss, Shangold Has Career Night

Victory is the lifeblood of sports. Every athlete who competes at an advanced level wants to be able to put as many notches in the win column as possible. It’s that desire to feel superior that brings players back day after day, searching for the ultimate success formula.

Sometimes you can have a great game, but your team still loses. And you can't be happy about your great game. That’s the situation Syosset Braves guard Dylan Shangold found himself in Thursday night at The junior had his best night of the season, knocking down five 3-pointers in the Braves loss to Hempstead.

The 15 points represented the first time Shangold has finished in double figures this season.

“I felt nice in warm-ups. I got the opportunity and just knocked down shots,” Shangold said.

Although Syosset fell behind early, they climbed back in the second half. After some quick three's, the Braves cut the deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter.

“It was a real thriller,” Shangold said. “I love to be a part of those games. We never quit. We started out shaky, but we really hustled and came back hard in the second half.”

Despite the loss, the six-footer is positive about the three remaining regular season games.

“I feel like we should play like this every game,” Shangold said. “We should come out hard, compete until the end. I’m confident we can get some wins.”

As one of the newer players on the roster, Shangold is finally comfortable with the speed and style of conference-I varsity basketball. The first year varsity sharp- shooter has clearly found his groove.

“My first sight of being in a game, you could really tell how fast they get the ball on the wing,” Shangold said. “It was a real good experience.”

He is also clearly liked by his teammates. As Shangold spoke outside the Syosset locker room, nearly every player filing out behind him slapped him on the back, congratulating him on his night.

“We’ve stayed like a family,” Shangold said of the varsity group. “There’s real good camaraderie on the team. Overall, it’s a bunch of real good guys who work hard throughout the season. Our practice ethics are really great. We just have to put it forward into games.”

Those wins will come if Shangold finishes the season strong behind the arc, something he takes tremendous pride in.  

“I always knew how to shoot the ball,” he said. “It’s one of my gifts.”    

Above all the individual numbers, however, Shangold still left Syosset High School unhappy.

 “On a personal note, it was one of my better games. I definitely shot the ball well,” Shangold said. “But I’m here to win.”