Boys Hoops Notebook: Repeating 2014’s Success Will be Difficult Task – A Pre-Season Glimpse into 2015 Hoops Season
By Ray Gallagher
Examiner Sports Editor
Last year was one of the greatest basketball seasons in the history of Northern Westchester and Putnam County, possibly the best ever in Putnam, what with Class AA semifinalists Mahopac, Class B finalists Putnam Valley and the Section 1 Class C champion Haldane boys all representing in the Final 4 at the Westchester County Center, while the 2014 Class C champion Haldane girls and Class AA runner-up Mahopac joined the party as well.
Northern Westchester was reppin’ even harder with the Walter Panas boys and the Ossining and Peekskill girls winning Section 1 titles, with the Ossining girls repeating as NYS Class A champions before turning their attention to a three-peat that only one other Class AA program in NYS has done (Rush-Henrietta, 2006-08).
It was wild fare for local basketball aficionados to gobble up, and most of us are counting on an encore performance to carry us through another long winter. However, most-pre-season pundits and so-called savvy media-types are calling for a down campaign for local boys’ teams, so we’ll try, in the space below, to build up hope and express a feasible County Center Final 4 path for those teams that can dance with the best in the business.
LEAGUE I-A
CARMEL – Second-year Coach John Venditto’s Rams (9-10) return three integral pieces return from last year and the unit that has the pieces in place to make a run at the League I-A title where Mahopac and the Dutchess County powers that be (Lourdes, Arlington, RCK and John Jay EF) provide for an interesting mix of teams. Freshman Josh Alexander, a 6’6” center, is a blooming big, who the Rams are pinning their future on. If his development is on the fast track, as many have intimated, the Rams have one of the premier frontcourt players in the league and an a potentially un-guardable player in the paint. How long he remains a Ram remains to be seen with the Stepinacs and Ionas painting a rosy CHSAA scenario.
Quinn Willman (5’9”) and Ryan Train (6’1”) are a pair of gutty, experienced backcourt juniors looking to make their mark on the circuit.
“I have a very good feeling about our club,” Alexander said. “We should be very good this year. We have some pretty high expectations to fulfill.”
The unit is still fairly young but experienced at the same time after cutting its teeth on the varsity circuit last year, but expectations are high at Ram Nation.
“We’re a young team,’” Willman admitted, “but we are very talented. We have many returning players that are familiar with the offense and most importantly familiar with each other.”
Others with varsity experience include Matt Haughney (6-2) Jr., F; Matt Cawley (5-10) Sr., G; and Justin Mordecai (5-11) Sr., G/F. Key newcomers include: Ryan Sullivan (6-3) Jr., F; Brendan Cody (6-0) So., G; and Beau Kershaw (5-8) Jr., G.
MAHOPAC – New coach, new center, new back court… a whole new era. Coach Jim Harter will try to mold great athletes into formidable basketball players, just as former Coach Kevin Downes did during his unprecedented seven-year reign before his resignation last winter. Harter, the former Pace University Coach, is old school. Mahopac was once the last bastion for old-school student athletes. Harter will lend instant credibility to a program that has found its way to the Class AA Final 4 four years running. Last season’s record of 17-4 and an eventual semifinal loss to Mount Vernon at the County Center was nothing to sneeze at. Key returners include: Chris Esernio (6-4), Sr., F; Dan Foley (6-2), Jr., G; Aidan Hynes (6-2), Jr., F; and Brandon Davis (6-4), Sr., C, who all saw minutes last season. Athletic newcomers include: Christian Donahoe (6-2), Jr., G; and the welcome addition of 6’6” junior Ryan Vitkus.
Based on the early returns, Arlington figures to be the favorites in the league with Mahopac and Carmel right behind. But Mahopac has owned the Admirals in recent seasons, including the playoffs.
LEAGUE I-B
LAKELAND – Coach Henry Weltman’s Hornets are as big as any Lakeland team in history, showing five frontcourt players 6’3” or better, including Jack Harrison (6’4” F), Kevin Cahill (6’3” F), Jarrod Anzalone-Wimmer (6’3” F/C), Nick Fazio (6’8” C) and Nick Jarosz (6’4” F/C). But for all the height the Hornets have, Weltman knows the key to turning things around from last year will be the performance of the guards.
“The guards have to do the job for us to be successful,” the veteran coach said. Even the guards are big this year, with All-Leaguer Mike Morelli, Ryan Thomas, Joe Martin and Trevor McCarthy all listed at 6’ or better. Morelli is just coming into his own and should pop eyes open this winter.
League I-B is certainly ripe for the picking, with Peekskill entering the fray under new ownership, now coached by longtime assistant Tony Turner, who inherits a team with less experience than most Red Devil teams. Walter Panas is in the league mix with Beacon, Hen Hud and Ossining rounding it out.
WALTER PANAS – The defending Section 1 Class A champion Panthers have been plucked clean of four starters by graduation, losing All-NYS G Tim McCauley, Tom Frost, Tom Parish and Tyler Mason. The quartet were pivotal in guiding the Panthers to their first Section 1 title since 1997. Coach Shawn Sullivan will go into full rebuilding mode this season with senior veterans Mike Evans, a sixth-man a year ago, and Brandon Collins, the lone returning starter, assuming major minutes and primary roles after playing lesser roles a year ago. Swingman Evans has some big-time hops to his game and Collins, a wide-body 3, can knock stroke it from downtown. Junior Jeremy Keefe was brought up to the varsity last season as soph and used his 6’5” frame to develop a solid paint presence. He is the X-factor this season. If Keefe can provide Sullivan with a triple-threat attack, Panas should contend because 6’1” F Justin Lee will do all the dirty work the Panthers need,
“Our mindset is we won the championship in 2014 and it is ours to keep,” Sullivan said. “We are not defending it, we are trying to win another. All the guys know what it takes to win and we constantly talking about the effort, sacrifices and teamwork that it takes to be successful. We are using the same formula as last year: great defense, great rebounding, a strong transition game and getting our best player the ball where they can be successful. The team is working very hard and we will just have to wait and see if all guys can step up and assume new roles to replace our seniors from last year. We are playing a very competitive schedule with the hopes that we will learn from each game and be playing our best basketball in February.”
PEEKSKILL – NYS Hall of Fame Coach Lou Panzanaro has moved on, leaving longtime assistant Tony Turner in charge of the one boys’ athletic program that has kept the Red Devils on the map. This is a program very much in transition, as the coaching and graduation losses have left little of the past intact. Seniors Jalen Tookes and Julian Culthberson return with some experience, but the Red Devils are lacking size outside of 6’10” sophomore James Robinson. If Peekskill is going to win this league it will need to get back to its roots of defensive intensity, tenacious pressure and transition basketball.
HEN HUD – Second-year Coach Jordan Hirsch hopes to build on last season’s 7-12 record, which resulted in a first-round playoff loss. His Key returners include: Jesse Breeding (6-3), Jr., G; Jake Spitz (5-11), Sr., G; Carson Jacobs (6-5), Sr., C; Aaron Treinish (6-2), Sr., F; Jeremy Morris (5-11), Sr., G; Michael Smith (5-10), Jr., G; Nick Marra (5-11), Jr., G; and J.T. Kertelits (6-0), Sr., F.
“We have senior experience in J.T. Kertelits who had a great off season,” Hirsch said. “We expect Jake Spitz to provide our team with strong leadership on and off the court. Jeremy Morris plays with great energy and often provides us with a spark. Aaron Treinish is an explosive player who we believe has the potential to have a very strong senior season. Carson Jacobs has worked very hard at rounding out his game and is another senior that has great potential to have a breakout season. Jesse Breeding is a junior wing that was our leading scorer last year.”
The Sailors will start the year by honoring the memory of the late Jack McGuire, who would have been a senior this year if not for the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his young but inspiring life. A rousing ceremony is planned for Friday, Dec. 12th at 6:30 p.m.
LEAGUE I-C
PUTNAM VALLEY – With the best season in school history still fresh in their minds, just two starters return to the fold with a renewed outlook in Tiger Town. Senior guards Zack Nolan (6’1”) and Ryan Basso (6’) return for their fourth and third full seasons, respectively, on the varsity circuit, minus the services of the programs two best players ever, All-NYS G Zach Coleman (8th team choice) and All-NYS F Jelani Bell-Isaac (6th team). Second-year Valley Coach Mike McDonnell (who has 20 years on the varsity circuit) guided the unit to the Section 1 Class B finals last season before Woodlands figured the Tigers out, and those very same Falcons remain the team to beat this season with first-team All-NYS selection Jamil Gambari returning. The Tigers will turn to second-year veterans – versatile G Kevin Gallagher (6’) and promising F Joey Spinola (6’3”) — to take on an increased role in what should be a guard-heavy alignment. Expect junior guards Harrison Deegan and Anders Spittal (5’10”) to get plenty of burn. First-year senior Mike DelGuidice (6’) should provide a grunt on the low blocks; what he lacks in pure size he makes up for with determination and technique. The talk around town has the Tigers exhibiting the potential to get back to the County Center for a third-straight year, but they have their work cut out for them as opponents attempt to lock of Basso, a sniper who needs to average 18-20 PPG this season if the Tigers are to amount to much. Nolan is the X-Factor. Nolan can’t be the compliant Ringo Starr this season; he needs to be Paul McCartney to Basso’s John Lennon-like lead (Beatles metaphor) if PV is to swag its way back to the County Center and challenge Haldane and North Salem for league bragging rights.
And so long as the tested veteran seniors welcome these savvy new additions with open, unselfish arms (like Coleman and Bell-Isaac did), the unit should continue to prosper. If not, too much one-on-one ball could hurt their chances.
“The returnees are determined to keep the program competing at a very high level and the juniors are talented and eager to fill big shoes,” the coach said.
HALDANE – The defending Section 1 Class C champions are loaded and enter the 2015 season at the pre-season favorites to repeat, according to most coaches in the know. Blue Devil Coach Joe Virgadamo, now in his ninth season, returns many of the key components of a team that went 15-7 before falling in the regional finals to Long Island powerhouse and Class C semifinalists Friends Academy.
All-NYS F Peter Hoffmann, a 6’5” captain, will stir this drink, doing so with an array of versatility that Haldane hasn’t seen since Action Jackson Zuvic, now doing his thing at Oneonta. Hoffmann dropped 24.3 PPG last season and can spot up for 30-40 on any given night. He should average close to 30 PPG in the league this season, as he is a match-up nightmare for teams like Put Valley, Pawling and North Salem.
What you have like more than anything is Haldane’s size, which will be tough for any Class C foe in the state to match up with. Edmund Fitzgerald (6’7, Sr., F), Will Zuvic (6’4”, Sr., F), Garret Quigley (6’4”, Sr., F), Miguel Toribio (6’3”, Jr., F) and Ryan McCollum (6′, Sr., G) are all 6-foot or better.
Key Newcomers include: Tucker Beachek (5’11”, Jr. G); Nick Allen (5’11”, Sr. G); Aiden Siegel (6′ Fr. G), Nick Chierre (6’2”, Jr. G) and David Rotando (5’8”, Jr. G).
Virgadamo, a gritty guard in his day, sees the potential in this unit, just as everyone else does.
“We have a lot of potential this season behind Hoffmann,” the coach said. “He is one of the best in the section and he proved it this summer earning a spot on the BCANY team and last season earning 1st team all-state. We are big, long, and athletic and have potential to be deep. Our chemistry has been outstanding and we are going to focus on communication and intensity every time we get on the court. We have multiple guys that will score in double figures this season and hope it happens often. Our schedule is extremely difficult which we hope will help us earn another trip to the county center.”
LEAGUE I-D
YORKTOWN – Don’t look now, but the Huskers (6-13) got themselves one of the best coaches in Section 1 and we all should expect immediate improvement under former Mahopac boss Kevin Downes, who drew blood from every stone in Mahopac . Yorktown failed to crack the field of 16 last year, but Downes will not tolerate a team that isn’t willing to break barriers.
And the Huskers, despite the loss of slick G Luis Cartegena (transfer to White Plains), are not bad off in terms of talent with an experienced unit of Mason Dyslin (6-6), Sr., F; Mike Nardone (6-2), Sr., G; Nick DelBene (6-4), Sr., F; Nick DeGennaro (5-11), Jr., G; Luke Shkreli (5-11), Sr., G; and Matt Broder (5-10), Sr., G returning. Dyslin, lanky and lean, has made the varsity scene three years running and should be the primary go-to in most sets. He can finish around the tin and has refined his pull-up jumper.
Three rookies bring additional size in Jesse Bambach (6-4), Jr., F; Glen O’Loughlin (6-5), Jr., F; and Ben Schmitz (6-4), Jr., giving the Huskers a front line that might match up against Lakeland’s massive front court. Don’t be shocked if Yorktown is in the mix of league title contenders in a very interesting, balanced mix of teams, including Lakeland, Somers, John Jay, Brewster, Fox Lane and Greeley. On paper, it looks wide open, and Yorktown could challenge, despite the fact most teams are banking on a win against the Huskers.
“I think we can be a solid team,” Downes said. “Dyslin is going to be a very good player. He poses matchup problems as he can be effective both in the post and facing the basket. DeGennaro will be one of the better point guards around. He makes great decisions with the ball, has the ability to score but looks to pass first and get everyone involved. DelBene and Nardone will be solid offensive contributors and excellent defenders.”
BREWSTER – The Bears went 6-13 last year during 33-year Coach John Martino’s final year, which opened the door for assistant Coach Tom Nelligan to take over. Nelly has been around the Section 1 block a few times, with a championship stop at Kennedy Catholic before several years at John Jay.
Key returnees for the Bears include senior F Dima Monaghan (6’1”), senior point guard Adarsch Budathocki (5’9”), senior F Matt Gargano (6’1”), senior F Tom Trainor (6’2’), senior F Jason Jacobus (6’3”) and senior F Rob Chamberlain (6’3”).
“We worked hard this fall,” Nelligna said, and we’re working on building team chemistry now. Our success will depend on how well we rebound, defend and take care of the ball.”
SOMERS – A trusted birdy close to the Tusker scene has indicated that Somers, despite significant loss to graduation, will give opponents fits this season. Seniors Anthony Maestri, Ryan Grossman, Tom Gargulo, Pat Melly and Nick Lombardo all return with varsity experience, and they will be joined by Matt Maloney, who is back at Somers after a brief stint at Iona Prep.
LEAGUE III-A
CROTON – The loss of Patrick Gallagher to a private school transfer certainly hurts the Tigers’ chances of competing for a Class B title, but the Tigers were on the uptick last year when they met their match against Putnam Valley in the Class B quarters. Senior G Teejay Searight (5’10”) is full of swag and bravado, enough to make him a better than average baller. Searight runs the point and is a strong defender who sticks the trey and finishes around the rim off quick penetration. He’ll need big-time support if Coach Bill Thom’s disciplined Tigers are going to knock off Briarcliff for the league title.
Examiner Media – Keeping you informed with professionally-reported local news, features, and sports coverage.
