Nassau A-III boys basketball preview

Valley Stream South's Hall Elisias dunks the ball during a Nassau Class A semifinal game against Carey on Feb. 24, 2014. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Bethpage Golden Eagles
Coach: John Davenport
Last season: 6-11
Key players
G Joe Tierney 6-0 Sr.
G Jack Dorney 6-0 Sr.
F Jake Vera 5-11 Sr.
F Pat Luzzi 6-1 Jr.
C Nick Calvacca 6-0 Sr
Outlook: Tierney is the top returning scorer at nine points per game. The Golden Eagles will take advantage of their scrappy nature and plan to run at every opportunity they get.
Floral Park Knights
Coach: Sean Boyle
Last season: 14-8
Key players
G Frank Phelan 5-10 Soph.
G Brian Fox 5-10 Soph.
G/F Shadner Edouasie 6-1 Sr.
G/F TJ Cluess 6-5 Jr.
F Shane O’Sullivan 6-4 Sr.
Outlook: Fox is the only Knight with any starting experience, but the return of TJ Cluess will help Floral Park offset the losses from last year’s team.
Glen Cove Big Red
Coach: Peter Falen
Last season: 12-6
Key players
G Corey Dinkins 6-1 Sr.
G Kevin Ernest 6-0 Jr.
G Neri Romero 5-10 Jr.
F Khalil Zachary 6-3 Sr.
C Chris Blissett 6-4 Jr.
Outlook: The Big Red begins the season with more experience and athleticism than it had at the start of last year’s conference championship campaign.
Lawrence Golden Tornado
Coach: Lou Robinson
Last season: 4-13
Key players
G Marquan Williams 6-0 Sr.
G Kamron Gilchrest 6-1 Sr.
F Sammy Robinson 6-5 Sr.
F A’Dante Oliver 6-2 Sr.
C Najier Gillespie 6-5 Jr.
Outlook: Few Long Islanders with Robinson’s size have a better shooting touch. He averaged 19 points and nine rebounds per game last year. The addition of Williams, a football standout, gives Lawrence a solid point guard.
Lynbrook Owls
Coach: Jamie Adams
Last season: 4-13
Key players
G Nate Flood 5-10 Sr.
G Nick Tuzzio 5-10 Jr.
F Frank Boni 6-0 Sr.
F Rob Sitonio 6-3 Jr.
C Dardan Pulatani 6-3 Sr.
Outlook: In their second year under Adams, the Owls expect marked improvement. Boni averaged 15 points and 3.3 three-pointers per game last year.
North Shore Vikings
Coach: Kevin Carpenter
Last season: 11-8
Key players
G Frank Castiglione 5-9 Sr.
G Ryan Aughavin 6-0 Jr.
G Tyler Rieger 6-3 Sr.
F Brett Bennett 6-1 Sr.
F Josh Mandell 6-4 Sr.
Outlook: The Vikings reached the Nassau Class A quarterfinals last year, with all-county player Rieger and all-conference selection Castiglione holding key roles.
Valley Stream North Spartans
Coach: Dan Achatz
Last season: 10-7
Key players
G Taliq Abdul-Rahim 5-8 Soph.
G Noah Shy 6-0 Jr.
G Jordan James 6-0 Sr.
F Omar Baxter 6-1 Jr.
F Josh Dennis 6-3 Sr.
Outlook: With a well-balanced scoring attack and group of tough on-ball defenders, the Spartans look to compete near the top of the conference.
Valley Stream South Falcons
Coach: Matt Johnsen
Last season: 18-5
Key players
G Jaremi Hernandez 5-10 Sr.
G Kyle Brooks 5-11 Sr.
G Daniel Sarpong 5-9 Sr.
F Dion Oguande 6-4 Sr.
C Hall Elisias 6-7 Sr.
Outlook: Replacing Dana King’s 22 points per game will not be easy, but the Falcons have seven players 6-4 or taller. They’ll look to use their size to their advantage, especially on defense.