Nassau A-2 boys basketball preview
Jévon Santos, left, guards Isiah Barnes as head coach George Holub oversees Elmont boys basketball team practice at Elmont on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. Credit: James Escher
BELLMORE JFK COUGARS
Last season: 11-10
Coach: Rory Block
KEY PLAYERS
Aidan Heeley C 6-1 Sr.; Josh Levy F 6-0 Sr.; Josh Michals G 5-10 Sr.; Alex Rosenberg F 6-2 Sr.; Tyler Yablon G 5-8 Jr.
ABOUT THE COUGARS:
Rosenberg is a three-year varsity player who gets up-and-down the court, Yablon is dependable from behind the arc and Heely is tough on the boards and a capable inside scorer.
CAREY SEAHAWKS
Last season: 7-11
Coach: Steven Savino
KEY PLAYERS
Nick Bell G/F 6-2 Sr.; James Cosgrove F 6-5 Jr.; Alex Pinto G 5-8 Jr.; Garret Scavelli G/F 5-11 Sr.; Chris Toscano G 6-3 Jr.
ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS: Guards Bell and Toscano complement strong post play from Cosgrove.
ELMONT SPARTANS
Last season: 16-6
Coach: George Holub
KEY PLAYERS
Isiah Barnes G 6-0 Sr.; Jordan Lawson F 6-3 Sr.; Gus Louis F 6-3 Sr.; Jevon Santos G 6-0 Sr.; Matthew Ward G 6-0 Sr.
ABOUT THE SPARTANS: Last year’s conference champs will return dynamic guard tandem Barnes and Santos, along with Lawson and Louis in the front court.
GREAT NECK NORTH BLAZERS
Last season: 3-15
Coach: Kevin Graham
KEY PLAYERS
Jackson Cronin G 6-2 Jr.; Luke Hakimian G 5-8 Jr.; Nat Hyman G 6-0 Sr.; Mike Jacobs G 6-0 Sr.; Ethan Youseffi F 6-2 Sr.
ABOUT THE BLAZERS: Led by Cronin, who averaged 8.8 points per game as a sophomore last winter, they will look to play more of an up-tempo style.
MANHASSET INDIANS
Last season: 21-4
Coach: George Bruns
KEY PLAYERS
Joe Busch G 6-1 Sr.; Ahmad Crowell G/F 6-3 Jr.; Matt Donnell C 6-3 Sr.; Connor Dunphy G 6-0 Sr.; Cole Zaffiro F 6-2 Sr.
ABOUT THE INDIANS: Graduated five starters from last season’s Long Island championship team but return sixth man Crowell, who averaged 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
SEWANHAKA INDIANS
Last season: 14-7
Coach: Jay Allen
KEY PLAYERS
Frantz Compere F 6-2 Jr.; Kamren Denhart G 5-8 So.; Preston Harts F 6-4 Sr.; Ryan Joseph F 6-5 Jr.; Brian Lowry G 5-8 Jr.
ABOUT THE INDIANS: Young but deep, Harts (8 ppg, 10 rpg) is only returning starter from last year’s playoff team.
VALLEY STREAM CENTRAL EAGLES
Last season: 11-9
Coach: Hayward Alfred
KEY PLAYERS
Rence Areola G 5-10 Jr.; Dawin Fanor G 6-2 Jr.; Nate Grimsley F 6-3 Sr.; Tyler Ray G 6-2 Sr.; Jaicob Tejeda F 6-3 Sr.
ABOUT THE EAGLES: Returning significant firepower from last season, including Ray (16 points, eight assists) and Tejeda (12 points, 13 rebounds).
