Basketball - North 12-19-2019.pdf

2019-20 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS PREVIEW December 20, 2019

INSIDE

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PROSPECTS FOR THE ’19-20 SEASON

2019-20 HERALD High School Basketball Preview Sat. 11 AM - 6 PM, Sun. 11 AM - 3 PM Mon. & Tues. CLOSED, Wed. 11 AM - 6 PM, Thurs. & Fri. 11 AM - 7 PM,

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December 20, 2019 — 5

2019-20 HERALD High School Basketball Preview

Glen CCOve ve Big Red young, athletic and focused

By J.D. FREDA

O

“

h, we’re young this year, real young.”

Those were some of the first words spoken by longtime Glen Cove head coach Peter Falen upon asking how his Londell Wheeler team is shaping up. “But I like this group, they like to get after it and they are so coachable,” Falen said.

The Big Red are aware of who they are. They are young, inexperienced, undersized and no one expects them to win more than a handful of games this winter. And that exactly is what makes them dangerous. Oh, that and they can flat out book it down the court. Falen will have to combat his undersized team with a gameplan that revolves Michael Battle around grabbing a rebound or a steal and letting his guys Foster. Both were brought up turn on the burners to varsity at the end of last season as eighth to push it up the graders. They will now get an early turn to don floor. the crimson red as starters.

“These kids can flat Wheeler’s father was a standout athlete at out run,” Falen said. “Our Glen Cove in his own right and Londell is look lookfocus is on finishing and ing to follow in those footsteps. “I could tell he is not being afraid of already one of the better point guards we have contact right now. had in the last few years,” Falen said. “He has We’re trying to nice court vision, good decision making and has get our guys to been solid so far.” embrace conFoster, who scrapes 6-foot-2 with tact, get to shoes on, is the tallest player on the court. the free throw At only 14 years of age, there is very much line and either potential for him to grow, as well as the rest finish the ‘andof this young team. Falen and his team know the one’ or hit two free throws before putting the obstacles they are about to face, but are primed defensive pressure back on.”

The Big Red will start no seniors this season. and ready to compete and earn key experience Instead, they will start two juniors, a sophomore and come closer as a group.

“I’m rolling with these guys, they have and two freshmen. earned my respect,” Falen said. “We’re not supOne of their juniors, Michael Battle, will posed to be great. We’re not supposed to win be one of the top offensive weapons for Falen. games, but I think that gives us a little bit of an Battle is one of the few with ample varsity experience on this squad. Falen’s pair of starting edge, and these kids are just going to get better and better as the season goes on.” freshmen will be Londell Wheeler and Melton

6 — December 20, 2019

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Melton Foster

Schedule

BoyS December 18 @ Hewlett 21 Roslyn

7:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

January 6 8 14 18 25 28 30

@ Jericho South Side @ Division Roosevelt @ Hewlett @ Roslyn Jericho

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

February 3 @ South Side 7 Division 10 @ Roosevelt

6:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Photos by Brian Ballweg

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

2019-20 HERALD High School Basketball Preview

Glen Cove Lady Big Red returns six

By J.D. FREDA

G

len Cove girls’ basketball return six players from last year’s 3-11 Conference A3 effort.

However, the girls’ varsity team didn’t return its head coach. In fact, they haven’t returned a head coach for two consecutive seasons in quite a few years. This year, however, the new girls’ head coach does have some familiar familiarity with the program as a whole.

The Lady Big Red’s new varsity head coach was a part of the varsity coaching staff last year as an assistant. He was also the head JV coach.

“I’ve had some good relationships with many of the players, so the transition has been pretty seamless,” Freitag said. “We’ve avoided some bumps in the road thus far, which is pretty good.”

The six players that will return to the program for Freitag are guards Sofia Constantino and Brianna Guillen, forwards Brianna Malvino and Lily Knobel, and centers Mia Mar Martinez and Dua Ahmed. Freitag mentioned that he’ll use the majority, if not all, of his bench throughout the season.

Knobel, the talented junior forward, will be enter enterAnna Basil ing her third season on the varsity team. “I’m expecting bright things from her this season,” Freitag said.

One of Freitag’s main focuses in his preparation has been to preach tempo control. “We want to control the pace of the entire game, especially on our home court,” Freitag said. “Depending on the opponent and the circumstances, we’ll want to play fast and get up and down the TO ADVERTISE CALL 516-569-4000

Sofia Costantino

court quickly, and in other cir circumstances, we might want to slow it down in the half court. Either way, we want to make sure we are controlling that tempo.”

Freitag is not so much trying to change the culture of the program, as it is one he helped cultivate from last season, but rather stamp his brand of basketball on the experience his squad has already gained from previous years of varsity experience.

“We have a very bright and intelintel ligent group of girls,” Freitag said. “It is exciting how quickly they are able to learn the system.”

The Lady Big Red will look to come together in time for its first conference game at Hewlett on Dec. 18.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Brianna Guillen

Schedule

GIRLS December 18 @ Hewlett 20 Roslyn

7:00 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

January 6 8 15 18 25 28 30

Jericho @ South Side Division @ Roosevelt Hewlett @ Roslyn @ Jericho

6:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

February 3 South Side 7 @ Division 10 Roosevelt

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Photos by Brian Ballweg

December 20, 2019 — 7

2019-20 HERALD High school Basketball Preview

Locust VVALLey ey Falcons bring physical brand

By TONY BELLISSIMO

A

s is the nature of a smaller school population, many players are multi-sport athletes. Such is the case for Locust Valley, who field a number of have a football players turning over from very good the fall season. feel for the Locust Valley’s football team game and can made it to the semifinals at Hofplay multiple positions stra this year, ultimately losing to offensively as well.

Seaford. Now, those athletes that Paz, Paniagua and hung up their helmets for the year Eletto all can defend and laced up a pair of basketball both quick guards sneakers will look to bring some and long forwards of that physicality from football effectively. to the paint and look to domiJon Tini will run nate the glass to propel them the point for this back to success yet again. bunch and After an 11-1 season help out on in-conference a year ago, head the offensive coach Tim Lamot’s crew is lookboards as ing to frustrate other teams with well. his mix of size, athleticism and “We have talent. depth,” Lamot The Falcons’ 6-foot-5 junior said. “I think forward Sean Murphy is going to be an anchor in the post. In the Falcons first non-league game against Glen Cove, Murphy posted a doubleJon Tini double, dropping 14 points and collecting 13 rebounds.

“He is going to force a lot of double teams down low when he is on,” Lamot said. “He is a very good passer out of the post as well. He can find we can realistically go 9 or 10 deep on the bench.” other guys cutting on the weak side.”

Although Murphy will be a handful for Six-foot-2, 200-pound Carlo Paz, an AllConference player a year ago, can play anywhere opposing defenses, the strength of this team is in its diversity of options. from off-guard to the post if need-be. “He is “When we’re playing our best, everyone such a strong, physical and scrappy kid,” Lomot said. “He is not afraid to go in and rebound and has a hand in it,” Lamot said. “Multiple guys can put on multiple different hats each game and we take it the length of the floor and finish on the can have a few guys average 10 points. Defenses other end.” cant look to just shut down one guy.”

Luke Paniagua and Christian Eletto both

Carlo Paz

Luke Paniagua

Schedule

BoyS December

16 @ Mineola 20 Friends Academy

6:30 p.m.

6:15 p.m.

January 6 8 11 14 18 25 28 30

@ Island Trees 6:30 p.m.

V.S. South 6:15 p.m. @ West Hempstead 12:00 p.m. @ Seaford 7:00 p.m.

Clarke 12:00 p.m.

Mineola 12:00 p.m. @ Friends Academy 6:15 p.m.

Island Trees 6:15 p.m.

February 3 5 7 10

@ V.S. South West Hempstead Seaford @ Clarke

6:30 p.m.

6:15 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Photos by Donovan Berthoud

8 — December 20, 2019

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

2019-20 HERALD High school Basketball Preview

Locust Va VaLLey Lady Falcons’ core is experienced

By TONY BELLISSIMO

o

pace, with good shooting and a highne would be fooled into pressure defense,” Guidone said. looking at Locust Valley girls’ “Our biggest weakness is our lineup to see three lack of size. Rebounding could starters that are sophobe an issue.” mores or younger and Guidone will look to think this team will lack combat his lack of size and a experience. It will not. true post player by playing This group finished a motion offense with less 8-2 in-conference a set plays and more read season ago and has and react type of play. all the tools and “We have been working two returning senior on a true motion offense starters that say it can for the first time in my 11 years repeat that success. as coach,” Guidone said. “We Head coach Mike have the players to do it this Guidone got a positive year and we are hoping to play sign in his preparation for it early and often in the season. this season when his team We want all five players touch touchcompeted in the Carle Place ing the ball on every half-court summer basketball league, an possession.” annual occurrence. “We won the championship,” Guidone said. “That is the first time in school history.”

The Lady Falcons are looking primed for another successful season under the senior leadership of Julia Sabatino and Paige O’Brien.

Both averaged double figures in points a season ago and Paige O’Brien are a real threat to drop upwards of 15 points each on any given night. They also can score in a variety of different ways, including pulling up from the perimeter, driving to the hoop or finishing layups in transition.

Sabatino is also committed to play basketball at SUNY New Paltz next season.

The Lady Falcons also return two sophomores with starting experience from last season in forwards Lindsay Hogan and Amber Linden.

“Hogan averaged double figures last year and is a deadly shooter,” Guidone said. “Linden Lindsay Hogan is a defensive specialist.”

Rounding out the likely starting lineup for Locust Valley is freshman Payton Tini, who will have the ability to see some time at point guard, as well as off-guard.

“This team’s strength is playing at a fast TO ADVERTISE CALL 516-569-4000

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Payton Tini

Schedule GIRLS December 16 Mineola

6:15 p.m.

January 6 8 10 13 17 25 30

Island Trees @ V.S. South West Hempstead Seaford @ Clarke @ Mineola @ Island Trees

6:15 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:15 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

February 3 5 8 10

V.S. South @ West Hempstead @ Seaford Clarke

6:15 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

Photos by Donovan Berthoud

December 20, 2019 — 9

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2019-20 HERALD high School Basketball Preview

North Shore Vikings boast versatile lineup

By J.D. FREDA

F

or the past few seasons, the Vikings have been a defensively focused team. North Shore has been good at switching up defenses and getting into passing lanes, pushing the ball upcourt in transition and finishing well. This season, the squad fits that same mold, except with more depth than in recent memory.

The Vikings have a good mix of experienced upperclassmen and under underclassmen, comprising of five seniors, nine juniors and two sophomores.

Will Scarola returns this seasons as a captain who exudes the team’s mentality: defensive effort.

“He is one of our main defenders we look to,” head coach Kevin Carpenter said. “ He seeks out the top player from other teams and looks for forwarding to the defensive side of the ball.”

Luke Jacklin, Phil LaRosa and Dan Quigly Phil LaRosa will also play pivotal roles in the Vikings lineup.

Junior point guard Jack Ledden will look to set off Carpenter’s motion offense in the halfcourt. Ledden has a lot of experience as a junior and is a capable and trustworthy ball-handler and passer. “He has been playing high school basketball since eighth grade,” Carpenter said.

North Shore has about eight players that will see a lot of time on the court this year. While 12 — December 20, 2019

it has some very good smaller guard options, North Shore will also have some pretty solid size with five guys that are 6’0” or taller. This gives the Vikings some diverse options in creating lineups.

“We can go with a guard oriented lineup or we can go with a larger, lengthier lineup at times,” Carpenter said. “We are going basketto play team basket ball with great movemove ment and spacing.”

Carpenter also pointed out that his basketgroup has a high basket ball IQ. “A lot of nights, other teams could possibly have the best player on the court,” Carpenter said.

“But we will always have a good team on the floor.”

North Shore has already participated in some non-league games early on, and opens up its league play on Dec. 18 at Wantagh.

“Because we have a lot of versatility, we’re using these games to find out how our rotation will pan out,” Carpenter said. “This year is going to be fun, we have a great group of kids.”

Luke Jacklin

Will Scarola

Schedule

BoyS December 18 @ Wantagh @ Wantagh 21 @ @ Plainedge Plainedge

4:30 4:30 p.m.

4:30 4:30 p.m.

January 4 8 10 15 18 25 28 30

Floral Park Floral Park @ @ V.S. North V.S. North @ @ Lynbrook Lynbrook Bethpage @ @ Lawrence Lawrence Wantagh Plainedge @ Floral Park @ Floral Park

11:00 11:00 a.m.

6:30 6:30 p.m.

7:00 7:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

12:00 12:00 p.m.

12:00 12:00 p.m.

6:30 6:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

4:30

February 3 5 7 10

V.S. North V.S. North Lynbrook @ @ Bethpage Bethpage Lawrence

6:30 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

6:30 6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Photos by Brian Ballweg

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

2019-20 HERALD high School Basketball Preview

North Shore Backcourt to propel Lady Vikings

By J.D. FREDA

W

The Lady Vikings also have some size mixed with athleticism in sisters Casey and Kylie Colbert. Casey, a junior, is entering her third varsity season under Freund.

Freund believes that his propensity to switch up defenses constantly in the flow of the game will keep opposing teams guessing. “We are very pressure oriented,” Freund said. “We are going to get after teams and keep the scoring high.”

Kate Gilliam is a defensive specialist and can faceguard key players on opposoppos ing teams.

Offensively, the Lady Vikings will employ a number of high pick and rolls on the perimeter and run a lot of motion with their skilled guard play.

hat an underwhelming season last season for this top dog. Right...

Right? Well, not particularly.

The perennial conference powerhouse finished 9-3 in Conference last season.

Two of those conference losses came from tightly contested overtime defeats. Other than that, North Shore once again utilized its motion offense and defensive pressure to keep opposing teams uncomfortable on their way to another successful season. This season, North Shore returns seven players and the majority of it’s scoring from last Gabriella Scott season.

“I would say we’re confident,” head coach Keith Freund said. “We came in prepared, had a lot of open gyms over the summer.

The girls came in ready to play.”

The Lady Vikings are prepared to continue their tradition of superb offensive motion and strong defensive pressure. North Shore will be able to play to the strength of its talented guards, including Jennifer Walton, Morgan Griffin, Eleanor Casale and Gabby Scott.

Walton is considered a top ten player in Nassau County this season with a knack for scoring. She has a high basketball IQ and a strong competitive edge. She is committed to play basketball at New Paltz.

In a game that is ever evolving to incorporate more and more three-point shots, North Shore will have a few players capable of nailing the longball, including Amanda Ayres and Ava Bartoli.

“We’re going to have many different scoring options,” Freund said. “We legitimately have three to four guards that can score 20 points on any given night if need be.”

TO ADVERTISE CALL 516-569-4000

Eleanor Casale

Schedule

GIRLS December 16 Wantagh 20 @ Plainedge

Jennifer Walton

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

January 6 8 13 15 18 24 28 31

@ Floral Park V.S. North Lynbrook @ Bethpage Lawrence @ Wantagh Plainedge Floral Park

4:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

6:15 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

February 3 5 7 8

@ V.S. North @ Lynbrook Bethpage @ Lawrence

6:15 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

Photos by Brian Ballweg

December 20, 2019 — 13

2019-20 HERALD High school Basketball Preview

Oyster Bay Baymen take aim at conference title

By J.D. FREDA

O

yster Bay head coach Brian Boyle and his crew is looking primed for another successful campaign in 2019-20.

After finishing an impressive 8-4 against conference rivals a season ago, Boyle has a myriad of returners and capable new contributors to mix up his lineups and throw off Oyster Bay’s conference foes. Although a fairly young team, this Baymen group has the ability to flourish and compete for a conference championship.

The success will start with junior Max Weinberg and how he progresses further this year. A talented sophomore a year ago, Weinberg was flying under the radar to 2018-19 team MVP Khalil Williams. Weinberg sprinkled in a few games where he totaled near 20 points and overall showed great promise. This season, he will have to take a big step forward to try and help lead this Baymen team to a conference title.

“I am really excited for Max to have the opportunity to showcase his talent over the next two seasons,” Boyle Max Weinberg said. “He got selected to the top-40 in Nassau County game before the season started as a junior, and I think that is pretty special.”

The Baymen will also look to 6-foot-5, 210-pound Jack Rispoli as a long, athletic presence that can both bang down low in the paint with the bigs and use his agility from his lacrosse background to glide down the court, fill in passing lanes and finish with either hand.

14 — December 20, 2019

When the ball gets slowed down into the halfcourt set, Boyle will be able to match Rispoli’s size with that of Sean O’Toole. The 6-4 senior is, like Rispoli, very agile and able to break out into transitransi tion. He also has uniquely adept court vision passing out of the post, doubling as the team’s starting quarterback in the fall. But in the halfcourt set, this pair will be able overwhelm a lot of smaller, less athletic teams.

Point guard Zach Hornosky is a capable guard with good size for the high school game at 6’0”, and his coach feels comfortable with him leading a smaller lineup on the court. “The kid is a tenacious rebounder,” Boyle said. “I have no problem going small with him on the court.”

Joe DeBlasio, De’Andre Marston and Zacchary Lachman will also play integral roles in this young squad’s success.

Zachary Hornosky

Schedule BoyS December 17 @ Academy Charter 7:15 p.m.

20 @ East Rockaway 7:00 p.m.

January 4 11 14 17 27 29 31

Jack Rispoli

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW

@ Wheatley 11:45 a.m.

Carle Place 12:00 p.m. @ C.S. Harbor 7:00 p.m.

Malverne 7:00 p.m.

East Rockaway 7:00 p.m.

Wheatley 7:00 p.m.

Academy Charter 7:00 p.m.

February 4 @ Carle Place 7 C.S. Harbor 10 @ Malverne

7:15 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Photos by Brian Ballweg

HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

2019-20 HERALD High school Basketball Preview

Oyster Bay Baywomen looking for improvement

By J.D. FREDA

O

yster Bay’s girls finished 2-11 in conference last winter. The team only eclipsed 40 points (10 per quarter) in 11 of their 19 total games. For head coach Rex Rossen and his team, though, the answer may not be a laser focus on adding more firepower, but controlling the paint and disrupting the flow of their opponents to create opportunities.

“We found that we’re not going to be a very high scoring team,” Rossen said. “We are putting a big emphasis on rebounding this year. What we are figuring out right now is who will help out where defensively and who will fill in what roles.”

Looking to stamp itself as a dominant team from the inside, the Oyster Bay women boast two powerful inside presences in Kaitlyn Kelly and Sarah Pantina. In a nonleague matchup with Jericho, and the Baywomen’s first home game of the season, Kelly pulled down 15 rebounds utilizing technique inside body positioning and tenacity. Pantina, although Emma Kelly not playing much a year ago, is another capable double digit rebounder, according to Rossen.

The bulk of the scoring will most likely come from both Emma Kelly, Kaitlyn’s sister, and Elizabeth Reilly. The talented Baywomen pair averaged near a combined 21 points per game last season.

Five-foot-9 Mikayla Gardon will also provide some TO ADVERTISE CALL 516-569-4000

issues for opposing teams utilizing her long, athletic frame. In their home non-league matchup with Jericho, Gardon collected three blocks.

Grace Wisenfeld will look to stymie opposing offenses as well. “I think she is one of the best dede fenders in the conference,” Rossen said. “She is very good at getting in other people’s heads too.” Rossen also mentioned that Wisenfeld was able to contain one of Jericho’s great individual players with her defensive ability.

Rossen also lauded Jamie Galasso for her high basketball IQ and handling ability. In fact, most of Rossen’s team is smart and has the tools to make a successful season, according Rossen.

“Almost every girl on the team can shoot from the three point line and almost every girl can drive to the basket and look to finish,” Rossen said. “We are going to get other teams out of their comfort zones and force them to take tough shots.”

Elizabeth Reilly

Schedule GIRLS December 17 Friends Academy

7:00 p.m.

January 4 9 11 15 17 27 29

Wheatley 10:30 a.m.

East Rockaway 7:00 p.m. @ Carle Place 12:00 p.m. @ Friends Academy 5:00 p.m. @ Malverne 5:15 p.m. @ East Rockaway 7:00 p.m. @ Wheatley 7:00 p.m.

February Grace Weisenfeld

4 Carle Place 7 @ C.S. Harbor 10 Malverne

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Photos by Brian Ballweg

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW

December 20, 2019 — 15

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HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW

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