Harrison boys basketball team hungry to take next step
By Skip Pearlman
After going 16-5 and making it to the County Center last winter – before losing to Eastchester in the sectional semifinals – the Harrison High boys basketball team is hungry to take the next step forward.
But a lot of teams have a goal of getting their hands on a gold ball. And just like it is with so many other teams, it all depends on how quickly the Huskies’ newcomers can adjust to the varsity level, and mesh with the team’s veterans.
“We’re kind of in the middle,” Harrison’s eighth-year coach Gary Chiarella said. “We have some with good experience, and we have some with zero varsity experience. Our JV had great success last year, and we hope to get them to blend with our experienced players. We have some good talent back.”
Harrison lost All-Section PG Nick Esposito to graduation, along with All-League F Coby Lefkowitz, and the team’s top scorer, and All-League G, Matt Stein (15PPG).
The Huskies will be relying on senior F Joe Nannariello (10PPG, 9RPG last season) and junior PG Zach Evans – both returning starters – along with returning center Omar Neshiewat, to provide leadership, and the three will serve as team captains.
“I’m looking for them to step up their game,” Chiarella said of his team leaders. “Last year we (the coaches) didn’t have to do too much… the captains set the tone. They’ll step up and help make the transition easier, help the younger players adjust to the varsity.”
Senior C Dustin Hart and senior guard Justin Stagg are also back from last year’s squad, leaving seven new players – juniors AJ Magee, Jeff Solomon, Jack Hochman, Frank Fiorino, Tyler Gersten and Michael Nannariello, and senior forward Brian Ganis – to round out the Huskies’ roster.
“We think Stagg and Joe can be our offensive leaders,” Chiarella said. “And others can pick up their share of scoring, know their roles. Omar and Joe will be stoppers and rebounders, they’re both great rebounders, and Zach will take the opponent’s best player.”
And with a relatively small lineup, the Huskies will play to their strength. “I think we’ll have to do a lot of switching on defense, pressing,” the coach said. “Other than Joe (6-4) and Omar (6-4) we’re a bit height challenged… but we feel that guards can rule in high school basketball, so we want to push and shoot. And at the end run plays. It will be a challenge.”
Chiarella said a few of the new players are likely to be heard from. “Jack can shoot, and Ganis can help us… I think they all bring something to the table.”
“To be successful, we’ll really need to stay disciplined, and take care of the ball,” he added. “Run our sets, play defense, and rebound. A lot depends on how quickly the younger players can adjust to the varsity level, and blend in with the veterans.”
Harrison plays in a league with Rye, Port Chester, Pelham, Eastchester and Byram Hills, and despite some tough competition, Chiarella sees the Huskies as being right in the mix.
“Byram, Eastchester and Pelham are all excellent,” he said. “But I do believe we can compete for the league title. It just depends on his fast our team can come together. We got to the County Center, but we haven’t won the league in a long time. That’s always our first goal. But we want the County Center again, and we want to try to win it. They got a taste, now hopefully the boys are hungry.”
Harrison opens the season at home on December 10, taking on Tappan Zee at 6:15 p.m.
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