For the first time in 25 years, the school’s men’s basketball program is heading to the
NCAA Tournament — and one of the players helping lead the charge has deep Long Island roots.
Freshman guard
Preston Edmead, a graduate of
Deer Park High School, is part of the Hofstra team making the historic run. Edmead played three years of varsity basketball at Deer Park before taking his game to the collegiate level.
His former high school coach,
John McCaffrey, says Edmead’s success comes as no surprise.
“Preston eats, sleeps and drinks basketball because that’s what the entire Edmead family does and that’s what the entire Edmead family has done for a long period of time," McCaffrey said. "It’s no surprise he’s had success."
Edmead’s accomplishment is already inspiring the next generation of players.
Junior point guard
Nusanti Delbridge says seeing someone from his own program reach college basketball’s biggest stage is motivating.
“It gives people like me motivation that I can get to that stage one day,” Delbridge said.
Hofstra will face Alabama on Friday at 3:15 p.m. as the Pride look to continue their run on the national stage.