Nassau A-5 boys basketball preview
CLARKE RAMS
Last season: 7-13
Coach: Joe Hasbrouck
KEY PLAYERS
Lyvan Brioso G 5-8 Sr.; Nick Caputo G 5-10 Sr.; Tyler Desimone G 5-10 Sr.; Mike Paul G 6-2 Sr.; Brian Sullivan G/F 6-2 Sr.
ABOUT THE RAMS: The guard-oriented offense returns four starters, led by Sullivan, who averaged 13.3 points and, 9.5 rebounds last season.
FRIENDS ACADEMY QUAKERS
Last season: 6-13
Coach: Matt Johnsen
KEY PLAYERS
Billy Daal F 6-3 Jr.; Aaron Daniels F 6-0 Sr.; Alex Douglas G 6-1 Jr.; Skyler Mott G 6-3 Jr.; CJ Williams C 6-5 Fr.
ABOUT THE QUAKERS: Friends Academy on five of last six games to close out last season and returns all five starters, led by Douglas, who averaged 16.1 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.
ISLAND TREES BULLDOGS
Last season: 10-11
Coach: Michael Wimmer
KEY PLAYERS
Antonio Arana G 6-2 Jr.; Gregory Avery G 6-2 Sr.; Christopher Connors F 6-4 Jr.; Anthony Ferrufino C 6-6 Sr.; Daniel Rodriguez G 5-10 Sr.
ABOUT THE BULLDOGS: Coming of their first postseason victory since 2002, Island Trees returns four starters, including Ferrufino (13.7 points, 14.2 rebounds per game last season) and Avery (6.5 points, 4.4 assists).
LOCUST VALLEY
FALCONS
Last season: 17-4
Coach: Tim Lomot
KEY PLAYERS
Christian Eletto G/F 6-2 Sr.; Sean Murphy G/F 6-5 Jr.; Luke Paniagua G/F 6-1 Jr.; Carlo Paz G/F 6-2 Sr.; Jon Tini G 6-2 Sr.
ABOUT THE FALCONS: The returning conference champions have experience and versatility. Paz averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds and Murphy averaged 9 points and 7 rebounds last season.
MINEOLA MUSTANGS
Last season: 12-8
Coach: Jamie McAndrew
KEY PLAYERS
Aaron Cuascut G 5-11 Jr.; Sean Fraccalvieri G 5-10 Jr.; Aidan McMahon G/F 6-1 Sr.; Brendan Shannon F 6-5 Sr.; Jordan Robinson F 5-11 Sr.
ABOUT THE MUSTANGS: Cuascut averaged 12.5 points, 5 assists and 3 steals as a sophomore last season.
SEAFORD VIKINGS
Last season: 4-15
Coach: Ralph Rossetti
KEY PLAYERS
Evan Block F 6-0 So.; Logan Masters G 6-0 Sr.; Matt Meyer G 5-11 Sr.
ABOUT THE VIKINGS: Masters and Meyer lead a young team comprised of many players from the county championship football team.
WEST HEMPSTEAD RAMS
Last season: 3-16
Coach: Ed Cosgrove
KEY PLAYERS
Christian Alvarez G 5-9 Sr.; Jorge Grant F 6-4 Sr.; Isaiah Henriquez G 5-10 Sr.; Brian Pierre-Louis F 6-3 Jr.; Syam Rajpatty F 6-3 Sr.
ABOUT THE RAMS: West Hempstead will look to increase tempo and score off its defense, with Grant (4.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks per game last season) providing a tough matchup in the front court.
VALLEY STREAM SOUTH
FALCONS
Last season: 17-5
Coach: Michael O’Brien
KEY PLAYERS
Chidibere Obichere F 6-5 Jr.; Jahiem Pilgrim F 6-3 Sr.; Nicholas Traill G 6-0 Sr.; Emil Williams G 6-2 Sr.; Jordan Wilson G 6-1 Jr.
ABOUT THE FALCONS: The defensive-minded group will need more scoring from Williams (7.3 points last season) as they look to win their third straight conference championship.
