Nassau AA-I boys basketball preview

Uniondale's Kyle Harding drives to the hoop during a Nassau County Conference AA-I varsity boys basketball game against Syosset at Uniondale on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. Credit: James Escher
Nassau AA-I
Farmingdale Dalers
Coach: Jim Pastier
Last season: 10-7
Key players
G Mike Lynch, Jr.
G David Ruiz, Jr.
G Larry Lembo, Jr.
F Sean McCormick, Sr.
C Mark Coniglario, So.
Outlook: The Dalers don’t return any starters from last season. The young squad starts one senior in Sean McCormick.
Freeport Red Devils
Coach: Larry Steimer
Last season: 16-3
Key players
G Rashod Tucker, 5-9, Jr.
G Willie Tenzie, 5-8, Sr.
F Rollin Bell, 6-2, Jr.
F Tyree Powell, 6-4, Sr.
C Roy Isaac, 6-5, Sr.
Outlook: Freeport will look to get the ball inside to seniors Roy Isaac and Tyree Powell and take advantage of the team’s combination of quickness and size.
Hempstead Tigers
Coach: Lateef Myles
Last season: 6-12
Key players
G Durell Williams, 5-10, Sr.
G Lykem Bethea, 5-10, Jr.
F Ja’Juan Polley, 6-0, Jr.
F Dashawn Meadors, 6-3, So.
F Daren Faulk, 6-5, Sr.
Outlook: Hempstead returns four starters from last year’s playoff squad in Lateef Myles’ first season as head coach.
Massapequa Chiefs
Coach: Martin Voigt
Last season: 11-7
Key players
G Dylan Nealis, 5-10, Sr.
G Tom Ammendola, 5-6, Jr.
G Justin Lynskey, 6-0, Sr.
F Gary Rettig, 6-2, Jr.
F Bryce Paladino, 6-4, Jr.
Outlook: Massapequa looks to compete in the playoffs again behind its players’ high basketball IQ -- led by junior and three-year player Tom Ammendola at the point.
Oceanside Sailors
Coach: Allenby Lyson
Last season: 6-11
Key players
G John Grossi, 5-10, Sr.
G Charlie Franzo, 6-0, Jr.
F Maurice Douse-Lewis, 6-1, Jr.
F Kevin O’Keefe, 6-3, Sr.
F Aronis Espinal, 6-4, Sr.
Outlook: The Sailors are led by senior big men Kevin O’Keefe (15 points, seven assists) and Aronis Espinal (15 points, nine assists).
Syosset Braves
Coach: Greg Cardona
Last season: 6-10
Key players
G Griffin Halpern, 5-11, Jr.
G Richie Rambarran, 5-7, Jr.
F James Goldrick, 6-1, Sr.
F Rob Santiago, 6-1, Sr.
C James Dionisio, 6-3, Jr.
Outlook: The Braves have an all-new starting five with James Goldrick and Griffin Halpern as the two players who played quality minutes last season.
Uniondale Knights
Coach: Tom Diana
Last season: 14-6
Key players
G Danny Ashley, 5-8, So.
G Kyle Harding, 6-2, Jr.
G Chris Goodwin, 6-2, So.
F Najee Peters, 6-5, Sr.
F Justice Townsend, 6-4, Sr.
Outlook: The Knights return Kyle Harding (all-county) and Najee Peters (all-conference) from last year’s county finalist squad. Harding averaged 12 points, four assists and two steals and Peters controlled the paint -- averaging 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.