CHSAA, private school boys basketball preview

Holy Trinity's James Golaszewski looks to make a pass during the second quarter of the NSCHSAA varsity boys basketball final versus St. Mary's at Hofstra University on Tuesday, March 4, 2014. Credit: James Escher
CHSAA
1. HOLY TRINITY TITANS
Coach: Joe Conefry
Key players: G Jack Sixsmith 6-0; G Billy Sixsmith 5-10; G Mike Farella 5-11; F Jimmy Golaszewski 6-3; F Thornton Scott 6-3
Outlook: The Sixsmith brothers can light it up from outside and Golaszewski (16 ppg, 8 rpg) is a legitimate inside scoring threat for defending CHSAA Class A champs.
2. KELLENBERG FIREBIRDS
Coach: Jack McCutcheon
Key players: F Mike Torre 6-4; G Steve Torre 6-2; F Derrick Okunpolar 6-4; C Stefon Bryan 6-7; G Kyle DeVerna 6-2
Outlook: Steve Torre (17 ppg, 8 apg) and Mike Torre (12 ppg, 8 rpg) provide a dynamite inside-outside tandem, and the Firebirds have very good size.
3. ST. MARY'S GAELS
Coach: Bill Harkins
Key players: G Javin Barton 6-1; G Damani Myers 5-10; C Chris Coalman 6-6; F Darius Chester 6-4; F Chris Kelly 6-4
Outlook: A guard-oriented offense and a trapping defense will keep the Gaels playing at a fast pace. Coalman is a potential double-double player.
4. CHAMINADE FLYERS
Coach: Bob Paul
Key players: G Tom O'Connell 6-2; G Kevin McNoble 6-1; F Sean Clark 6-5; F Matt Johnson 6-5
Outlook: O'Connell averaged 16 points and seven assists and is one of the best guards on Long Island. With young cast around him, he will have to do even more this season.
5. ST. ANTHONY'S FRIARS
Coach: Jim Fenton
Key players: G Joe Licciardi 5-8; G Elijah Morris 6-0; G Josh Nicholas; F Tom Dennis; F C.J. Bachmann
Outlook: Bachmann is one of the better forwards in the CHSAA. Friars' rotation isn't set yet and Fenton says there are eight potential starters on the roster.
6. ST. DOMINIC BAYHAWKS
Coach: Bruno Cotumaccio
Key players: G Isaiah Wilson 6-1; F Pat Kieran 6-5; G Brendan Harkins 5-8; G Dominic Cotumaccio 5-9; F Justin Rodriguez 6-4
Outlook: Wilson can score from outside and get to the rim. He's the undisputed leader of a young team that won its first three non-league games.
7. ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST COUGARS
Coach: Andre Edwards
Key players: G Zach Locker 5-9; G Brendan Erhardt 6-4; F Evan Barnes 6-3; F Mike O'Connell 6-5; F Eric Torrens 6-3
Outlook: A rebuilding season as Cougars lost 90 percent of their scoring and rebounding through graduation and transfers according to Edwards.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
1. LONG ISLAND LUTHERAN CRUSADERS
Coach: John Buck
Key players: G Chris Atkinson 5-9; G Devonte Green 6-2; G Elijah Bailey 6-2; F Marvin Prochet 6-7; C Rojaye Campbell 6-9
Outlook: Dynamic backcourt of PG Atkinson and nationally rated SG recruit Green, plus returning MVP Prochet up front. No wonder Crusaders are ranked in top 20 nationally.
4. LAWRENCE WOODMERE TIGERS
Coach: Jeff Weiss
Key players: C Hakeem Grant 6-9; G Jordan Dingle 6-0; G Jason Karkus 6-0; G Chris Pierre-Louis 6-2; G John Alimo 6-0
Outlook: Pierre-Louis (14 ppg) and Karkus are returning starters for young team that plays in PSAA. Weiss won his 500th game earlier this season.
5. PORTLEDGE PANTHERS
Coach: Nick Woll
Key players: G David Lustberg 5-10; G Jordan Salzmann 5-8; F Trevor Dowd 6-1; F Alec Sheeline 6-0; C Pat Callan 6-3
Outlook: Lustberg averaged 15 ppg and is team leader on experienced squad.
INDEPENDENT
OUR SAVIOR NEW AMERICAN PIONEERS
Coach: Ron Stelzer
Key players: G Davon Dillard 6-5; G Djibril Diallo 6-3; G Damon Wilson 6-5; C Cheick Diallo 6-9; F Kassoum Yakwe 6-8
Outlook: Goal for this nationally ranked program is to be invited to national tournament at MSG in April. Diallo being recruited by Kentucky and Kansas, according to Stelzer.
UPPER ROOM ROYALS
Coach: Neil Jenkins
Key players: G Jawaun Gillespie 6-2; G Michael Austin 5-10; G Ramel Powers 6-1; F Elijah Bush 6-5; C Quinton Bush 6-6
Outlook: Austin makes the Royals go as the point guard, seeking to get everyone touches in the 3-2 and 1-4 offensive sets, where pick and rolls and backdoors will be executed. Jenkins wants Austin to consistently find Quinton Bush on the low block for easy baskets