Sachem Alum Gallina Makes Hoops Team at Suffolk

Sachem North alum Nick Gallina began a new chapter in his basketball career last week when he made the men's hoops team at Suffolk Community College.

With nearly 50 players trying out for 18 spots, Gallina said the tryouts were grueling and consisted of the most running he’s done “in my life.”

To start, the coaching staff told him he’ll be a back up point guard.

“I’m really excited to play at the next level with a group of new guys,” said Gallina, who was selected First Team All-Sachem Patch last year. “It’s going to be a little different for me this year adjusting to a different role than I had at Sachem. I just have to keep working hard and hopefully get some playing time.”

Gallina said his experience as a sophomore on varsity at Sachem has helped him adjust to this setting of being the “new guy” on the floor.

“I couldn't be happier for him,” said Tom Mullee, the head basketball coach at Sachem North. “He is a great teammate and competitor and represents what Sachem basketball is about. The coaches around our league last year praised his play, which is the ultimate compliment. I have no doubt he will have success at Suffolk.”

Looking back, he was most fond of his performance against Central Islip last year. His 14 assists in the game were a career-high and Sachem beat the Musketeers, who won a league title.

For now, his goals are simple: contribute, increase playing time and become a starter by the end of the season. After that, it’s on to the next level. He wouldn’t mind joining friend and former Sachem East standout Dan Candemeres, who is a freshman at Keystone College.

“It would just be a lot of fun, we have so many good memories playing together and it’s sad that it could be over,” Gallina said, “so another chance to play with him would be awesome for both of us.”

Gallina becomes the second player from last year’s team at Sachem North to play in college. Teammate Brian Ford is a freshman at Drew University alongside his brother John, another Sachem alum.

“We'll miss the intangibles that Nicky brought to the team,” Mullee said. “H has the ability to go by guys, compete on the glass, and defend at the highest level. It's great to see our guys having success at the next level.”