Suffolk III boys basketball preview
Smithtown West's Nicholas Paquette attempts a three-point shot against Riverhead. (Dec. 12, 2013) Credit: George A. Faella
SUFFOLK III
1. NORTH BABYLON BULLDOGS
Coach: Brendan McCaffrey
Key players
F Isaiah Moore 6-3
F Melshawn McPherson 6-3
G Zach Moore 6-0
G Noah Buffins 6-0
F Arron Lee 6-2
Outlook: Strong inside game led by the M&M boys, McPherson and Moore, who are daily double-double threats.
2. RIVERHEAD BLUE WAVES
Coach: John Rossetti
Key players
G Dean Shorter 5-8
G Charles Manning 6-2
Brandon Tolliver 6-3
F Malik Washington 6-1
C Ethan Greenidge 6-5
Outlook: Defending league champs need some scoring help for Tolliver. Manning could be it.
3. NEWFIELD WOLVERINES
Coach: Anthony Agostino
Key players
G Jarrel Cowell 6-2
F Dean Simeone 6-5
G Stephen Cohen 5-9
F Josh Fetter-Murphy 6-2
G Joe Feliciano 5-9
Outlook: Three-year starters Cowell, Simeone and Cohen have Wolverines smelling first league title in school history.
4. SMITHTOWN WEST BULLS
Coach: Mike Agostino
Key players
G Billy Behrens 6-0
G Matt Misser 6-1
F Peter Torres 6-0
F Nick Paquette 6-3
C Tyler Weigl 6-5
Outlook: Paquette and Behrens have done the bulk of the scoring. Bulls thrive in transition game.
5. SMITHTOWN EAST BULLS
Coach: Lou Gambeski
Key players
F Ryan Igarozza 6-4
C Dom Savino 6-4
F Brian Willetts 6-3
G Alex Spinelli 5-9
G Pat Riccio 6-0
Outlook: Igarozza has exceeded 20 points in every game and entire starting five returns, spurring playoff hopes.
6. COPIAGUE EAGLES
Coach: Steve Rebholz
Key players
G Kevin Roberts 6-1
F Prince Hickson 6-5
G Quandell Butler 5-10
F David Jaworowski 6-1
F Andre Morgan 6-4
Outlook: Eagles won first game on Tuesday thanks to double-double by Hickson. Frontcourt scoring is a strength.
7. CENTEREACH COUGARS
Coach: Ed Miller
Key players
G Brandon Imperato 6-2
F Alex Gangji 6-2
G Justin Eck 5-10
F Greg Marino 6-5
G Kevin Callahan 5-9
Outlook: Expect growing pains for first-year coach whose team doesn't have a single player with varsity experience.
8. WEST ISLIP LIONS
Coach: Tom Cross
Key players
G Dan Cunningham 6-0
F Billy Hellem 6-5
G Conor Smith 6-0
G Ian Prate 6-0
F Frank Fiorino 6-3
Outlook: Lions went winless last season and have lost first five. Cunningham is a legit scoring threat.
