Deer Park boys basketball’s Nusanti Delbridge (26 points) keys road win

Nusanti Delbridge began to announce his presence toward the tail end of his sophomore season, hitting double figures in his final six games, capped by a 21-point effort in Deer Park’s Suffolk AA semifinal exit.

As a junior? Well, the guard’s game has grown. And his health has taken a turn for the better, too.

“I think I’ve developed very good as a player,” Delbridge said. “Last year, I was playing with a torn meniscus. This year, I’m fully healthy. So I feel like being fully healthy, I’m a way better player.”

Delbridge showed his value again Friday night, delivering 26 points to help Deer Park emerge with a 69-61 win at Bellport in the Clippers’ Hall of Fame game.

“He’s a bona fide scorer,” Falcons coach John McCaffrey said of a player who’s averaging 21 points. “He’s one of those kids who can just put the ball in the basket for you. He’s been a big, clutch shotmaker for us all year long.”

Deer Park is trying extend its playoff streak to 16 years as it searches for its first county title. The Falcons are up to 9-2 overall and 6-1 in Suffolk III.

Bellport is looking to extend its playoff streak to 13 years. The Clippers (6-4, 3-3) missing 12 free throws didn’t help.

But this night was just as much about the past for them as it was the present.

The Bellport Basketball Hall of Fame’s inaugural class of 11 was introduced at halftime. The formal induction ceremony will come Saturday at the Knights of Columbus facility in Patchogue.

“Great atmosphere,” said Rich Brown, Bellport’s first-year head coach, who came up with the idea for the Hall. “It was surreal to be here and witness this and to know that this was put together to see all these legends and these greats coming out.”

Deer Park led by nine with 2:43 left. But Julian Croke, who scored 19, and Amari Trent, who contributed 15, hit consecutive baskets to get it down to 63-58.

Jalen Francis hit a short bank shot to get it back up to seven. Croke made one of two at the line to cut it to 65-59, but that’s as close as it got.

“We’re playing four games in six days,” McCaffrey said. “. . . I think we were physically and mentally fatigued.”

The Falcons went up 8-0 and led by 11 late in the third on Delbridge’s three and again by 11 with 4:15 left on Delbridge’s layup.

“I think the sky’s the limit for this team as long as we practice hard, as we do,” Delbridge said. “Coach McCaffrey’s a good coach. He leads us in the right direction.”