County Center Road Runs Through Ossining, Peekskill, Haldane

By Tony Pinciaro, John Orlando & Ray Gallagher

OSSINING may well be, once again, the best public school program in New York State; the proof is in the pudding. Team that underestimate Ossining this year because of its graduation departures, would be making a huge mistake.

Ossining, which went 23-3 last year, won its fifth consecutive Section 1 Class AA title and third-straight New York State championship last March, does not rebuild. The Pride retool and refine.

Pride Coach Dan Ricci was happy, but also sad at graduation when six seniors – Jalay Knowles, Stefanie Svoboda, Madison Strippoli, Jenna Lividini, Abby Squirrell and Cyan Scarduzio — received their Ossining diplomas. Knowles (playing at Hartford), Svoboda (playing at Pace), Strippoli (playing at New York Institute of Technology) and Lividini (playing at Brockport), as well as Squirrell (playing lacrosse at Marquette) and Scarduzio (playing field hockey at St. Thomas Aquinas) were the nucleus for two of the three state-title teams and some of the best players in program history.

Ricci, in his 24^th year, welcomes back one starter, but, in Shadeen Samuels, he feels he has the best player in Section 1. Samuels, who averaged 19.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.6 steals per game, recently committed to play at Seton Hall, and is the best-rounded player in the section. She is virtually un-guardable without the help of double and triple teams.

Along with Samuels, Ossining returns seniors Gabby Ferrao and Alexis Bernardo along with sophomore Helen Ishmael.

Ricci has promoted sophomore Kelsey Quain, a guard, along with a talented freshmen trio of Aubrey Griffin and Jaida Strippoli, both guards, and Kailah Harris, a center, to varsity. Harris is the truth, cut in the mold of Knowles. Griffin, a freak of nature, is the most gifted player at Ossining since UConn stud Saniya Chong. Both Griffin and Harris have been offered by Seton Hall, but that’s just the start for each.

All three freshmen will start and produce four incredible runs to add to the lore of Section 1’s finest program ever, quite possibly the finest public school program in state history by the time they are done.

The rest of the unit forms what Ricci said may be the most athletic team he’s ever coached.

“We have some good returning role players in defensive stopper Gabby Ferrao, shooter Alexis Bernardo and rebounder Helen Ishmael,” Ricci said. “Add in the very talented freshmen class and this could be a special team. It all depends on how fast our young players adapt to the varsity game and the pace at we like to play.”

That pace is incredibly fast and often overwhelming, which is what we can expect on a regular basis this season.

BREWSTER went 11-7 and lost in a first round sectional game last year, but fourth-year Coach Mike Castaldo has an experienced returning core to lead the team.

Castaldo will turn to a pair of seniors and juniors to guide Brewster through a difficult league schedule. Senior Frannie Merkel returns to the front court and classmate Katie DePaoli is a guard. Junior Julia Borsari, whose father, Chris, was an offensive lineman for the University of Virginia, will join Merkel on the forward line and fellow junior Dayja Medina will play guard.

An underclassmen duo will also man the guard positions – sophomore Jess Miele and freshman Maggie DePaoli.

Through the first two weeks of preseason, Castaldo said his team is meshing the returning experienced players with the talented younger players and it has worked extremely well. There are two open starting positions which has led to girls working hard hoping to earn one of those two spots.

“I feel we have a solid team that can compete for the league title this year, however, our league has so much talent and great coaches that we need to play more consistent this year to have a shot,” Castaldo said.

CARMEL will have a new look entering the 2015-16 season after six seniors graduated, including Kelly Oliver, who is playing at Mount St. Vincent.

Veteran coach Dan O’Hare will turn to senior Hanna Riddle (forward) and freshman Claire Cody (guard). O’Hare said these two returnees played significant minutes last year for a team that went 8-12. Carmel beat Mount Vernon in a first round sectional game, but lost to Ursuline in the next round.

O’Hare cited four newcomers to varsity who will see quality minutes. The group is comprised of junior Sia Kassoh (guard), sophomore Maria Mazzamuto (forward) and the freshmen tandem of Khadijah Johnson (guard) and Alex Barry (forward)

“We have speed and the ability to get to the rim,” O’Hare said. “We are concentrating on scoring from the perimeter and playing lock-down man defense. I like the make-up of our team and their eagerness to learn. I believe that once our very young newcomers learn the intensity and pace of varsity ball, our team can be very competitive. We will be a work in progress and look to improve with every game played.”

MAHOPAC will need to replace the points and rebounds supplied by graduated Alayne Felix, who was the primary option for third-year Mahopac Coach Chuck Scozzafava the last two seasons. Carly Pease, Amanda Geyer and Tara Ravoli, are three returning starters. Kim Schiera, Allison Reilly, Claire Felix, Amanda McCarney, Katie McDonough, Natalie Scanlon, Samantha Colatruglio, Siobhan Hynes and Zina McInerney are a nice mix of younger and older veterans within the rotation.

Coming off an 11-8 season and a first round loss to Scarsdale in the Class AA playoffs, Coach Scozz thinks this unit is ready to improve upon that record, despite the loss of Alayne Felix, now playing Maine Maritime Academy

“Carly, Tara and Amanda are all returning starters who know what it takes at this level to compete and be successful,” the coach said. “All of our newcomers are key. They give us strength of depth, since I feel like I have 12 kids we can get into flow without fear. The key is how well these young girls adjust to the varsity game.”

PEEKSKILL will have its third coach in three seasons as Kim Saxton takes over a talented team that could be the last ones standing in Class A if the unit develops the maturity and necessary discipline to become a champion. After leading Peekskill to an 18-4 season and a sectional final appearance, Steven Loscher resigned.

All-Section senior Lanay Rodney will return for a fourth season and will serve as the team’s go-to girl after scoring 23 PPG last season, one that saw the Red Devils’ rein as two-time defending sectional champions come to an end in a loss to Albertus Magnus. Rodney is the most talented player in Section 1 Class A and should drop buckets in bushels this year. This is Lanay’s team and her legacy will be forged with a senior year that ends up with a gold ball moment.

All-Section senior G/F Lisana Burnett will also be a force for the Red Devils, who fully expect to be back at the County Center in 2016. Senior C Taylor Clare should rock the boards and G Nyrie Holliman is poised for a breakout campaign.

Peekskill should be hungry, what with the bitter taste of defeat still pungent in their mouths. Should the Red Devils make ball security and stifling defense a priority, the rest will come as naturally as a Rodney 3-ball.

HALDANE will be aiming for a Section 1 Class C title three-peat after besting Alexander Hamilton in the final the past two years. Coach Tyrone Searight and his team will have to do it without the graduated Allie Monteleone, who surpassed 1,000 career points and is now playing at Pace University.

Even though Monteleone graduated, the cupboard still has plenty of talent returning from a 12-8 team. This core is spearheaded by the junior guard triumvirate of Hanna Monteleone, Marissa Lisikatos and Alexandra Cinuanta. Joining the trio are sophomores Abbey Stowell, Allison Chiera, Allison Marino and Gabriele Baumann, and freshmen Julia Rotando and Zoe Lyons-Davis.

The newcomers to varsity are sophomore Valerie Scanga, freshman Sandy Harrison and eighth-grader Olivia McDermott.

“We have the girls that played in big games last season so having that experience on the floor is important and we want to play that up-tempo style that we like to play,” Searight said.

Searight feels the major adjustment his team will have to make is create a way to get the 20 points-per-game that Allie Monteleone gave Haldane. Also, his team will be tested early with a tough schedule.

“The key for our season is how we fight when adversity hits during games and how we, as a team, battle out of it to become a team,” Searight said.

SOMERS lost a bunch to graduation but remains a well-coached unit under Kristi Dini, the former Boston College and Putnam Valley star.

Given the fairly broad turnover of personnel at Somers High, one might expect a slight drop off from last year’s trip to the Section 1 Class A quarterfinals.

“Yes, five girls have moved on to graduation and this may look like a different team, but in this case different is good,” Somers Coach Kristi Dini said. “All who remain are highly-qualified, system girls with strong ability, and two of the new faces are seniors that did not play basketball last year due to playing various other sports at a very high level. They are top notch athletes we’ll add to the mix.”

With all that said, a strong stench of excitement and confidence erupted from her voice as the unit of Gabby Rosensweig, Livy Rosensweig, Livi Lipski, Jackie Penzo, Meg McHue, Hannon Eberts, Allie Arcidiacano, Christina Heibeisen, Faith Ferguson, Dani Cucharella and Hannah Angelini take aim in Class A. It’s obvious her belief from what has transpired in practice will lead to a Tusker team that will compete solidly in league play as well as against the various other AA teams scheduled. For those willing to bet on the Tuskers chances to travel deep into sectional play, should at least consider reading into the enthusiasm surrounding Tusker Territory.

PUTNAM VALLEY

Three years ago, when Coach Nick Lenhard took over the reins of a struggling program, Putnam Valley was to be considered young and raw, as the overwhelming majority of the team consisted of freshman and sophomores. They suffered mightily and took their lumps throughout that season. In year two, and still loaded with freshman, sophomores and juniors, the Tigers were able to obtain a fair amount of wins, thus qualifying them for an out-bracket playoff bid. A loss to North Salem ended things abruptly, however, the maturity was very evident indeed. As Section 1 begins a new season, this squad is a “Now Team”, one that is extremely experienced and fairly deep and plum out of excuses.

Putnam Valley will bring back five seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and Dora Rippon (the one freshman replacing last season’s lone graduate). All three sophomores (G Maria Tomais, G/F Catherine Mazza and F Morgan Winogradoff ) received significant court time last season for the Tigers and will undoubtedly be major contributors, even more so this season.

G Juliana Torsiello and F Rebecca Marro are back as juniors adding athleticism, ball skills and height to the roster. All five seniors (F Alyssa Stockinger, F Alex Knight, G Stephanie Wagner, C Christina Byrne and C Reena Olsen) have logged three seasons at this level and are ready to let it fly, as is eighth-grader Kelly Venezia, who is polished beyond her years and poised to inflict immediate damage as the youngest player in the program’s history.

The Tigers are battle-tested and prepared to lead the charge to what should be a very solid season. How solid a season is not yet known, but one thing is for certain, improvement is on the horizon.

HEN HUD enters the season minus its top two scorers from last year in Amy Glashoff and Amber Feminella. The tandem combined for 24 points a game as Hen Hud went 8-12.

Veteran coach Ken Sherman is planning to account for those 24 points per game with an experienced returning group, featuring junior point guard Jaelyn Smith and classmate Maria Scalf, who will start alongside Smith at the two guard. Sherman will always rely on senior guards Jenna Richardson and Montana Garrett, and juniors Jackie Raguso (center) and Kamryn Sherman.

Sherman highlighted sophomore Taylor Prokopiak (forward) as one of the team’s key newcomers. Sherman plans on creating offense from his defense this season, hoping to use transition as a means to score. He said his team will work hard defensively and create turnovers, which will lead to some points.

Hen Hud will not receive a break from the schedule-makers as the Sailors league includes Ossining, Peekskill, Beacon, Lakeland and Panas. Ossining (Class AA) and Peekskill (Class A) are the pre-season favorites to win sectional titles.

“My team has a great attitude and we are looking forward to our opener on Dec. 1 against Pleasantville,” Sherman said.

LAKELAND is looking to build off a .500 (10-10) 2014-15 season. The Hornets opened the post season with a sectional win over arch-rival Panas, but lost to Harrison. Second-year Coach Miranda Lustig has an experienced nucleus returning, led by starters Colleen Walsh (guard/forward) and Jordyn Coitino (guard), both juniors. The tandem is joined by classmates Val Potenza (guard/forward) and Rieley Walsh (guard/forward), sophomore Kelsey McCrudden (guard) and freshman Alexa Cole (guard).

Juniors Krista Verrino (guard) and Maura Coakley (guard), along with sophomores Kelsey Walsh (forward), Jessica Ascencao (guard/forward) and Adrianna DeSantis (guard) comprise the new varsity players.

“The girls are working hard and they are having fun together,” Lustig said. “It’s hard to succeed if you’re not having fun. Our main goal is to continue to be better than we were the day before. The key is getting the season off to a good start and to never be outworked by our opponent.”

WALTER PANAS is young, but Coach Matt Evangelista is excited to tap his team’s potential after an 8-11 record last year. Samantha Sudol, Jenna DeSilva and Kailey D’Alessandro graduated, but Panas returns three starters and six players total.

The starting trio of juniors Melissa Keefe (center) and Carlyn Mucci (guard/forward) are joined by sophomore Danielle Merante (forward). Merante is fresh off a stellar field hockey season. She led the team in scoring as Panas won eight games and was seeded third in the Section 1 Class B Field Hockey Championship Tournament.

Junior Jade Pagel (forward/center) and sophomores Kristen Kelly (guard) and Kellie Brown (guard) round out the returning nucleus. Freshman Julia Araujo (point guard) is one of the young, new players to varsity.

Evangelista is encouraged by his team’s enthusiasm, athletic ability and team chemistry through the first two weeks of preseason. His immediate concern is injuries as he said a number of players are nursing them.

“With a freshman and three sophomores in the rotation, we will be young,” Evangelista said. “Although many of the girls played AAU, summer and fall leagues, and were largely successful, they will need to translate that to real varsity games. Additionally, this group of girls is very nice, but they play and practice incredibly hard. Hopefully, our youthful enthusiasm will overcome some of our inexperience.”

 

Girls basketball Coaches are strongly encouraged to contact beat writer Tony Pinciaro at tfinch23@optonline.net with positive comments, stats and box score info after each game or no later than Sunday morning for inclusion in the Examiner’s weekly Girls’ Hoops Notebook.