Suffolk boys basketball preview

SUFFOLK I

BRENTWOOD INDIANS

Coach: Anthony Jimenez

Key players: G Michael Almonacy 6-0; G Tavon Ginyard 5-10; F Ali Mableton 6-1; F Vincent Smythe 6-3; F Jamel Allen 6-5

Outlook: Versatile team with depth and experience.

COMMACK COUGARS

Coach: Peter Smith

Key players: G Matthew Glubiak 6-0; G Tom Meloro 6-0; G Ryan Graziano 6-2; F Ryan Steffens 6-3; F Ryan Sinnott 6-5

Outlook: Commack will look to push the pace and play stout defense.

FLOYD COLONIALS

Coach: Rob Hodgson

Key players: G Devonte Dixon 5-8; G Amad Haider 5-8; G Tristan Adams 5-8; G Mark Butler 5-5; F Devin Robinson 6-1

Outlook: With its small lineup, Floyd plans on playing at a faster pace than in past years.

LONGWOOD LIONS

Coach: William McBrien

Key players: G Shalek Rodriguez 5-10; G Kevin Vallejos 5-11; G Lamar Pinto-Cochran 5-11l F Nasheed Dixon 6-3; F Raheem Williams 6-6

Outlook: Defense will be the key as the Lions vie for the playoffs following an 8-10 season.

PATCHOGUE-MEDFORD RAIDERS

Coach: Wil Dortonne

Key players: G James Conklin 5-11; G Tyshawn Thomas 5-10; G Brad Malm 5-11; F Michael Baldwin 6-2; F Jason Bihn 6-1

Outlook: Four seniors will start as Raiders look to improve on last season's 8-9 record.

SACHEM EAST FLAMING ARROWS

Coach: John Finta

Key players: G Jake Passaretti 5-11; G Pierce Powell 5-9; F Chris Balsamo 6-2; F Sekai Robinson 6-0; F Jack Johnson 6-0

Outlook: Sachem East features an entirely new starting lineup after going 8-10 last year.

SACHEM NORTH FLAMING ARROWS

Coach: Tommy Mullee

Key players: G Darius Townsend 5-7; G Nakhari Nelson 5-7; G Blake Thompson 6-1; F Ian Junge 6-4; C Ryan Koliner 6-3

Outlook: Darius Townsend and Nakhari Nelson form a dynamic backcourt for a team returning nine players.

WARD MELVILLE PATRIOTS

Coach: Tom Femminella

Key players: G Brandon Hart 5-10; G Matt Hudzik 5-10; F Troy Raney 6-2; F Matt O'Hea 6-4; F Tim Specht 6-4

Outlook: Hart is the only returning starter from last year's 10-2 team.

SUFFOLK II

BAY SHORE MARAUDERS

Coach: David Mayo

Key players: G Kyree Sawyer 5-10; G Valaughn Creekmore 6-3; F Kalif Jackson 6-4; F Nigel Gilbert 6-2; C Chris Adames 6-5

Outlook: Depth and defense will be the keys to bouncing back from a 2-16 season.

CENTRAL ISLIP MUSKETEERS

Coach: Jim Mott

Key players: G Brandon Hodge 5-10; G David McKenzie 6-0; G Ryan Beckles 6-2; F Justyn Gilmore 6-2; F Raliek Leonard 6-4

Outlook: Hodge and McKenzie are two of the better players in League II.

CONNETQUOT THUNDERBIRDS

Coach: Kyle Black

Key players: G John Hengge 6-0; G Andrew Wright 5-11; F Dan Lewis 6-4; F Shane Wilson 6-5; F Justin Paura 6-2

Outlook: Connetquot will rely on its inside play on both ends of the floor.

HALF HOLLOW HILLS EAST THUNDERBIRDS

Coach: Peter Basel

Key players: G D'Nathan Knox 6-2; G Matt Cruz 6-1; G Matt Smith 6-1; G/F Justin Fackler 6-4; F Spencer Stein 6-3

Outlook: Fackler is one of the better players in League II, and Basel is expecting him to average a double-double this season.

LINDENHURST BULLDOGS

Coach: Doc Farrell

Key players: G Sean Varela 5-10; G Marquise Williams 6-1; G Gino Bonagura 5-11; G Femi Bamishe 5-10; F David Keller 6-3

Outlook: The Bulldogs have a veteran lineup with four seniors starting. Bonagura is a junior.

NORTHPORT TIGERS

Coach: Andrew D'Eloia

Key players: G Brennan Whelan 5-11; G Gerard Brady 5-11; G Phil Volpe 6-0; F Luke Del Rossi 6-5; F Lukas Jarrett 6-6

Outlook: Jarrett and Del Rossi are a formidable frontcourt and lead a deep team with many options.

SMITHTOWN EAST BULLS

Coach: Lou Gambeski

Key players: G Brandon Williams 5-8; G Pat Lagravanese 6-1; F Matthew DiPietro 5-10; F Kevin Keese 6-3; F Ryan Ingarozza 6-3

Outlook: An all-county selection last season, Ingarozza will try to build on the 21.3 points and 7.3 rebounds he averaged a season ago.

WHITMAN WILDCATS

Coach: Tom Fitzpatrick

Key players: G Jordan Aiken 5-9; G Willie Petro 5-11; G/F Julian Kleberg 6-1; G/F Gary Harris 6-2; C Dylan McNally 6-4

Outlook: Defense will be the backbone of the Wildcats' approach.

SUFFOLK III

CENTEREACH COUGARS

Coach: Ed Miller

Key players: G Tom Connor 5-10; G Kevin Callahan 5-10; G Jon Agostino 5-8; F Jake Marzocca 6-2; C Greg Marino 6-5

Outlook: Centereach returns its core from Ed Miller's first year as coach.

COPIAGUE EAGLES

Coach: Steve Rebholz

Key players: G Quandell Butler 5-10; G Kevin Roberts 6-3; G Joe Branch 6-1; F Andre Morgan 6-6; F Steven Szabo 6-4

Outlook: Copiague has a deep, veteran group that advanced to the second round of the playoffs last year.

HALF HOLLOW HILLS WEST COLTS

Coach: Bill Mitaritonna

Key players: G Kian Dalyrimple 6-4; G Richie Altenord 6-3; G Deven Williams 5-10; F Justin Leonard 6-4; F Cameron Jordan 6-5

Outlook: All nine rotation players have at least one year of varsity experience.

NEWFIELD WOLVERINES

Coach: Anthony Agostino

Key players: G Jarell Cowell 6-2; G Denzel Williams 5-10; G Marty Colleran 5-9; F Nick Buscemi 6-3; F Dylan Ferrari 6-4

Outlook: Cowell leads a Newfield team that features several athletic guards.

NORTH BABYLON BULLDOGS

Coach: Brendan McCaffrey

Key players: G Zachary Moore 6-0; G Brandon Sobotker 5-11; G Jared Zeigler 6-0; F Timothy Forbes 6-6; F Aaron Lee 6-2

Outlook: The Bulldogs, with their uptempo offense, are looking for a second straight league title.

RIVERHEAD BLUE WAVES

Coach: John Rossetti

Key players: G Joe Cunningham 5-10; G Lintell Brown 6-2; G Ryun Moore 6-0; G/F Tyrese Kerr 6-3; C Ethan Greenidge 6-5

Outlook: Four players expected to start saw minutes on last year's 4-13 team.

SMITHTOWN WEST BULLS

Coach: Michael Agostino

Key players: G Matt Misser 6-3; G Nick Grande 5-10; F Peter Torres 6-0; F Nick Paquette 6-3; C Matt English 6-4

Outlook: Paquette will anchor the Bulls, who were 12-8 last season.

WEST ISLIP LIONS

Coach: Tom Cross

Key Players: G Dan Cunningham 6-0; G Bryan Woodburn 5-10; G Dan Francke 6-0; F Stephen Davidson 6-2; F Frank Fiorino 6-3

Outlook: Three-point shooting by Cunningham and Woodburn should be a strength for the Lions.

SUFFOLK IV

BELLPORT CLIPPERS

Coach: Peter Grossi

Key players: G Nick Dunning 5-11; G Jaye Bookhart 5-10; G Darius Brown 5-9; F Andrew Trent 6-3; F Jared Murphy 6-1

Outlook: The Clippers are a solid defensive team.

DEER PARK FALCONS

Coach: John McCaffery

Key players: G Isaiah Malone 5-9; G Josh Pismeny 5-10; G Davien Jenkins 6-1; F Princeton Louis 6-4; C Tyler Pierre 6-6

Outlook: The three-time defending champs rely on a new core as they try to extend their streak.

EAST ISLIP REDMEN

Coach: Rob Schwender

Key players: G Harley Spinks 6-0; G Sean Glennon 6-0; G Steven Cinquemani 6-0; F Zach Acocella 6-3; F Tyler Clehane 6-3

Outlook: The Redmen have made the playoffs in 13 of the last 14 seasons.

EASTPORT-SOUTH MANOR SHARKS

Coach: Chris Carlson

Key players: G Mike McCormick 5-9; G Dan McCormick 6-0; G Tristan Luccari 6-2; F Dylan Demasi 6-3; F Jordan Nelson 6-3

Outlook: The Sharks will attempt to return to the AA playoffs in their first year back in League IV.

HAUPPAUGE EAGLES

Coach: Brad Hughes

Key players: G Ryan SanFilippo 5-10; G Nick Scozzari 6-0; G Nick Fanti 6-2; F Nick Pace 6-4; C Anthony Troise 6-5

Outlook: With seven returning seniors, experience is the strength of the Eagles.

HUNTINGTON BLUE DEVILS

Coach: Brian Carey

Key players: G Scott Gulizio 6-1; G Andrew Hampton 5-10; G/F Shyhein Brewster 6-2; G/F Kenny Charles 6-3; G/F Kenny McCarthy 6-3

Outlook: Huntington lost four league games by seven total points without McCarthy, who tore his ACL before last season.

KINGS PARK KINGSMEN

Coach: Chris Rube

Key players: G Paul Cooper 5-9; G/F Chris O'Farrell 6-0; G/F Glenn Petraitis 6-4; F/C Cooper Bower 6-5; F/C Harrison Bower 6-4

Outlook: The Kingsmen hope to return to the playoffs, where they lost to Brentwood last year.

WEST BABYLON EAGLES

Coach: Tim Lynch

Key players: G Tim Kranz 6-2; G Nick Gilley 5-11; G Wesley Mercado 6-2; F Phil Dellisola 6-2; C Davante Penn 6-6

Outlook: The Eagles return all five starters, led by Kranz, an all-league player.

SUFFOLK V

COMSEWOGUE WARRIORS

Coach: Joel Sutherland

Key players: G James Thristino 5-11; G Dylan Cervini 5-11; F Alex Walsh 6-0; F Anthony Colao 6-4; C James Mimnaugh 6-3

Outlook: The Warriors hope to build off their first playoff appearance in five years.

HARBORFIELDS TORNADOES

Coach: Chris Agostino

Key players: G Malcolm Wynter 5-10;  G Elias Berbari 6-1; F Robert Pecorelli 6-3;  F Nick Mitchell 6-2; C Alex Merhige 6-6

Outlook: Agostino said this is his toughest team, which also features five starters with varsity experience.

ISLIP BUCCANEERS

Coach: Jamie Lynch

Key players: G Caleb Staneck 5-9; G Frankie Basile 6-0; F Raphael Alomar 6-1; F Anil John 6-4; C Can Oztimurlenk 6-6

Outlook: Basile is one of Suffolk's top returning scorers after averaging 22 points per game last season.

ROCKY POINT EAGLES

Coach: Jim Jordan

Key players: G Brian Lynch 5-11; G Harry Lynch 5-10; G Marc Bruno 5-10; F Brandon Fisher 6-1; F Colin Kotarski 6-1

Outlook: Cousins Brian and Harry Lynch return from last season's backcourt.

SAYVILLE GOLDEN FLASHES

Coach: Lou Lowe

Key players: G Austin Read 5-10; G Hunter Schenkel 6-2; F Kevin O'Halloran 6-2; F Connor Gaffney 6-3; C Chris Matson 6-3

Outlook: Lowe expects his team to feature a balanced scoring attack as it vies for its second straight playoff berth.

WESTHAMPTON HURRICANES

Coach: John Baumiller

Key players: G Liam Huysman 6-3; G Devin Ware 5-10; G Bryce Phillips 5-9; G/F Charles Caputo 6-2 F Emanuel Clarke 6-4

Outlook: The Hurricanes will look to build on last season's loss in the county semifinals.

SUFFOLK VI

AMITYVILLE WARRIORS

Coach: Bill Kretz

Key players: G Mike Smith 6-1; G/F Nazir McLamb 6-1; G/F Vinny Henry 6-2; F Malcolm Mathis 6-2; F Gary Looney 6-2

Outlook: The Warriors will continue to play their uptempo, high-pressure style of play even after the coaching change.

BAYPORT-BLUE POINT PHANTOMS

Coach: Charlie Peck

Key players: G Doug Niblock 6-0; G Ka'Sean Watlington 5-11; G Tim Darby 5-11; G Jack Alliegro 5-10; F George Riefenstahl 6-6

Outlook: The Phantoms will use speed and good shooting in Peck's first season as coach.

EAST HAMPTON BONACKERS

Coach: Bill McKee

Key players: G Brandon Kennedy-Gay 5-11; G Kyle McKee 5-11; G Kevin Fee 6-0; F Brandon Johnson 6-3; F Regis O'Neil 6-3

Outlook: The Bonackers hope last season's late hot streak carries over into 2014-15.

GLENN KNIGHTS

Coach: Charly Rogener

Key players: G Wayne White 6-1; G Albert Kim 5-8; G Damique Reddick 6-1; F Zach Coppola 6-2; F Timmy Greschner 6-6

Outlook: Defense will be a strength for the Knights, who look to make the playoffs again.

MILLER PLACE PANTHERS

Coach: Chris Cevino

Key players: G Andrew Read 6-1; G Max Steel 5-11; G Rayshawn Brewster 5-11; F Kyle Reed 6-0; F Will Nielis 6-3

Outlook: Sophomores Emod Greene and Christian Loretta round out a young team looking to create a winning culture under its first-year coach.

MOUNT SINAI MUSTANGS

Coach: Ryan McNeely

Key players: G Christian Dular 5-9; G Brandon Bonanno 6-1; G/F Nolan Kelly 6-3; F Nick Schmitt 6-3; F Seth Brand 6-5

Outlook: The Mustangs return four of five starters from last season's 2-16 team.

SHOREHAM-WADING RIVER WILDCATS

Coach: Kevin Culhane

Key players: G Kieran Qualley 6-2; G Doug DeMaio 5-11; F Dan Hughes 6-5; F Jonah Caldwell 6-4; F Jack Zukowski 6-2

Outlook: Hughes and Caldwell lead an experienced group that went 9-8 last season.

SUFFOLK VII

BABYLON PANTHERS

Coach: Chris Morra

Key players: G Nick Antolini 6-2; G Stephen Schweitzer 5-10; F Dillon Kelly 6-4; F K'Sean Reid 5-11; C Brendan Laing 6-8

Outlook: Babylon graduated two Division I athletes, but Laing is the reigning League VII Player of the Year.

CENTER MORICHES RED DEVILS

Coach: Nick Thomas

Key players: G Anthony Parlato 5-9; G Tyrell Thomas 5-9; F Todd Rowland 6-3; F Matt Almond 6-3; C Tyliek Quinonez 6-6

Outlook: The backcourt of Parlato and Thomas gained valuable experience as members of the 2012 LIC team.

HAMPTON BAYS BAYMEN

Coach: Pete Meehan

Key players: G Matt Rinaldi 6-2; G Shane Courtenay 6-0; F Josh Karl 5-11; F Tyler Carbone 6-0; C Dan Aube 6-4

Outlook: The Baymen are working on their "on-court''decorum after a winless season in league play.

MATTITUCK TUCKERS

Coach: Paul Ellwood

Key players: G Will Gildersleeve 6-1; G Parker Tuthill 6-0; G Joe Tardif 5-9; F Chris Dwyer 6-2; F Ryan Mowdy 6-3

Outlook: The Tuckers return four starters from last season's playoff team that averaged 68 points per game.

MERCY MONARCHS

Coach: Mike Clauberg

Key players: G Joe Jeskie 5-9; G Reggie Archer 6-0; F Kevin Santacroce 6-4; F Eddie Kneski 6-1; C Jasper Bradley 6-3

Outlook: The Monarchs will look to Archer and Kneski for leadership after two key players transferred during the summer.

PORT JEFFERSON ROYALS

Coach: Keith Buehler

Key players: G Noah Davis 6-0; G Parker Schoch 5-9; F Dimas Perez 6-2; F Kris Cheslock 6-1; F Dylan Wennerod 6-2

Outlook: Davis, Schoch and Perez each made an impact on last year's team.

SOUTHAMPTON MARINERS

Coach: Herm Lamison

Key players: G Israel Johnson 6-0; G Zach Cummings 5-11; G Nitauke Williams 5-11; G/F Nasies Fulford 6-4; F Isaiah Johnson 6-3

Outlook: The Mariners return two starters from last yea''s LIC winner and add Whitman transfer Cummings.

WYANDANCH WARRIORS

Coach: Barry Baker

Key players: G Kamar Harris 5-9; G Kashawn Charles 6-0; G Stanley Joiner 6-1; F Taequan Brooks 6-3; C Kaymel Cabbagestalk 6-7

Outlook: Led by Cabbagestalk, the Warriors have a strong returning core.

SUFFOLK VIII

BRIDGEHAMPTON KILLER BEES

Coach: Carl Johnson

Key players: G Tylik Furman 5-10, G/F Matthew Hostetter 6-1, G/F Elijah Jackson 5-10, G/F Charles Manning 6-3, F Josh Lamison 6-0

Outlook: Furman, Lamison and Manning form a solid trio for Bridgehampton.

GREENPORT PORTERS

Coach: Ev Corwin

Key players: G Tim Stevens 5-9, G Darius Bolling 5-10, G Angel Colon 5-11, G Darius Strickland 5-11, F Tyshee Williams 6-0

Outlook: Greenport has a promising young scorer in Strickland and senior leadership from Stevens, Williams and Colon.

PIERSON WHALERS

Coach: Dan White

Key players: G Sean Sloane 5-11, G Andrew James 5-10, G Stephen Musnicki 6-1, F Ben Kushner 6-2, F Rob Evjen 6-4

Outlook: The Whalers’ strengths are their defense and their ability to run the floor.

ROSS COSMOS

Coach: Lynn Ramage 

Key players: G Jeremy Guan 6-0, G Anish Rishi 6-0, G Tommy Jerido 5-10, G/F Dan Okin 6-2, F Madison Hummel 6-3

Outlook: Ross will start at a slower tempo but hopes to play at a faster pace as the season progresses.

SHELTER ISLAND INDIANS

Coach: Jay Card Jr.

Key players: G Sawyer Clark 5-8, G Billy Boeklen 6-0, F Johnny Sturges 5-11, F Tristin Wissemann 6-4, C Semaj Lawrence 6-4

Outlook: Wissemann, the team's leading scorer last season, will be the focal point of the offense again this year.

SMITHTOWN CHRISTIAN KNIGHTS

Coach: Daniel Skaritka

Key players: G Charles Bellini 6-0, G Glen-Luke Middendof 5-8, F Cody Collins 6-3, F Zach Diblanda 6-2, C Connor McCabe 6-6

Outlook: Bellini returns after averaging 13 points and six assists as the Knights try to make it back to the playoffs.

SOUTHOLD FIRST SETTLERS

Coach: Phil Reed

Key players: G Greg Gehring 5-9, G Liam Walker 6-0, F Shayne Johnson 5-11, F Alex Poliwoda 5-11, C Matt McCarthy 6-3

Outlook: The return of Walker and the addition of Gehring, a transfer from Mercy, will make for a dynamic offense.

STONY BROOK BEARS

Coach: Michael Hickey

Key players: G Luke Meyer 5-10, G Rob Colarusso 5-10, G Luke O'Connor 6-1, F Chester Kayonga 6-3, F Jyles Etienne 6-5

Outlook: Stony Brook graduated its top eight players from last year's county champs but expects to be in the running for another league title.