CHSAA, private school boys basketball preview

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