Nassau A-II boys basketball preview
KeAndre Augustine of Glenn drives to the net defended by Southampton's Israel Johnson during the Suffolk Class ABCD boys basketball final at Ward Melville. Credit: Bob Mitchell
Division Blue Dragons
Coach: Brian Maini
Last season: 6-11
Key players
G Vin Incirrano 5-9 Jr.
G Dom Chuisano 5-11 Sr.
F John McMahon 6-2 Sr.
F Thomas Orth 6-2 Sr.
C John Messina 6-3 Sr.
Outlook: Division’s six wins last year outnumbered its total from the previous three years combined, raising the team’s confidence and setting the tone for the program moving forward.
Hewlett Bulldogs
Coach: Bill Dubin
Last season: 14-4
Key players
G Luca Preziosi 5-10 Soph.
G Alyjah Hill 5-10 Soph.
F Tony Feeney 6-2 Sr.
F Aaron Kadosh 6-2 Sr.
C Zach Bromfeld 6-5 Jr.
Outlook: The Bulldogs return little from last year’s playoff team, which fell in the first round.
New Hyde Park Gladiators
Coach: Don Rood
Last season: 4-13
Key players
G Joseph Langan 6-2 Jr.
G Joseph Ghotra 6-0 Sr.
G James Messina 6-1 Sr.
F Jacori Clemons 6-0 Sr.
C Greg Haynes 6-4 Sr.
Outlook: Langan’s return from a season-ending injury could be key, as the Gladiators were 4-4 with him and 0-9 without him. The addition of Haynes gives NHP more size than it had last year.
Plainedge Red Devils
Coach: Brian Buckley
Last season: 4-13
Key players
G Matt Hass 5-7 Sr.
G Joe Yarusso 5-6 Fr.
G/F Greg Gouvousis 5-9 Sr.
F Kevin McHuh 6-3 Sr.
F/C Pat Reilly 6-4 Sr.
Outlook: Reilly, a four-year varsity player, and Hass are the captains of a team that hopes to bounce back.
Roosevelt Rough Riders
Coach: Jayson Williams
Last season: 15-4
Key players
G Stephen Viales
F Jordan Armstrong 6-4 Sr.
F Gary Lawing 6-5 Sr.
F Latrell Hollis 6-2 Jr.
F Cole Grant 6-3 Sr.
Outlook: Armstrong will miss the early going with an injury, but his scoring production (22.6 ppg last year) will give the Rough Riders a big boost upon his return.
Roslyn Bulldogs
Coach: Craig Murphy
Last season: 13-7
Key players
G Keandre Augustine 5-9 Sr.
G Spencer Markbreiter 6-0 Jr.
G Austin Reimer 5-8 Jr.
F Omar Burns 6-3 Jr.
C Jonah Tenner 6-4 Jr.
Outlook: Augustine (20 ppg last year) is widely considered one of the county’s best players. He and Burns lead an athletic team.
South Side Cyclones
Coach: Jerry D’Angelo
Last season: 15-3
Key players
G Matt DiLuccio 5-10 Sr.
G Brandon Greyson 5-10 Jr.
F Alex Sorenson 6-3 Sr.
F Paul Lonergan 6-4 Sr.
C Tim Awosika 6-8 Sr.
Outlook: Sorenson (21 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 4.0 apg in 2014-15) is a returning all-state player, and Awosika, who blocked 3.5 shots per game last year, makes scoring inside against the Cyclones a challenge.
Wantagh Warriors
Coach: Keith Hunter
Last season: 5-12
Key players
G Connor L’Applattenier 5-6 Jr.
G TJ Sullivan 5-10 Jr.
F Will O’Brien 6-1 Sr.
F Mark Buchner 6-0 Sr.
C Sean Guttfliesch 6-4 Jr.
Outlook: The Warriors are a young, selfless team that will share the ball and the scoring load.
