Nassau AA-II boys basketball team-by-team outlook

BALDWIN BRUINS

Last season: 15-6

Coach: Darius Burton

KEY PLAYERS

Peter Bateman G 5-10 Sr.; Rhyjon Blackwell G 6-0 Sr.; Marcus Jasmin C 6-6 Sr.; Tavin Pierre F6-3 Sr.; Tre Riggins C 6-6 Sr.

ABOUT THE BRUINS: Returns Blackwell (15 points, four assists per game) and adds Pierre, who played at Christ the King last season.

 

EAST MEADOW JETS

Last season: 7-12

Coach: Bobby Kopp

KEY PLAYERS

Chris Forrler G 6-3 Sr.; Dean Lanza F 6-3 Sr.; Sultan Mirza G/F 6-4 Sr.; Harry Nicholson G 6-3 Sr.; Jihad Prunty C 6-4 Sr.

ABOUT THE JETS: Mirza, who scored 16.6 points per game, looks to lead his team back to the playoffs.

 

HICKSVILLE COMETS

Last season: 5-14

Coach: Phil Essigman

KEY PLAYERS

Anthony Cerrato C 6-3 Jr.; Luke Hoffmann G 5-8 Sr.; Amaury Mateo F 6-4 Sr.; John McAleese G 5-6 Sr.; Shane McBride G 5-10 Sr.

ABOUT THE COMETS: Senior-rich lineup, led by McBride, who averaged 14 points and three rebounds.

 

LONG BEACH MARINES

Last season: 6-13

Coach: Scott Martin

KEY PLAYERS

Jaden Barwicki G 5-11 Jr.; Alex Bauer G 5-11 Jr.; Gerard Burns F 6-2 Sr.; Lashawn Hankins G 5-8 Sr.; Evan Michaels F 6-4 Jr.

ABOUT THE MARINES: Young, but experienced team, led by seniors Hankins and Burns, who averaged 12 and 14 points per game, respectively.

 

PLAINVIEW-OLD BETHPAGE JFK HAWKS

Last season: 6-13

Coach: Mike Harris

KEY PLAYERS

Nick Galasso G 6-2 Sr.; Nick Nemickas G 6-0 Soph; Julian Purnell G 6-1 Jr.; Tyler Tierno F 6-4 Sr.; Jacob Weber G 5-11 Sr.

ABOUT THE HAWKS: Relying on its backcourt and shooting ability, the Hawks return Galasso, who averaged 10.1 points, five rebounds and two steals per game.

 

PORT WASHINGTON VIKINGS

Last season: 12-9

Coach: Sean Dooley

KEY PLAYERS

Johnny Bellini G 5-10 Sr.; Louis Blakeman F 6-5 Sr.; Marc Daly G 6-0 Sr.; Joe Melkonian G 6-0 Sr.; Ben Spier F 6-4 Sr.

ABOUT THE VIKINGS: Emphasis on team depth and ball movement, returns Daly, who averaged seven points, six rebounds and two steals per game.

 

WESTBURY GREEN DRAGONS

Last season: 10-9

Coach: Jason Bryant

KEY PLAYERS

Tyreik Frazier F 6-6 Sr.; Stanley Magloine G/F 6-1 Jr.; Jordan Redd G5-11 Sr.; Herick Sainbert G 6-2 Soph.; Quran Vineyard G/F 6-1 Sr.

ABOUT THE GREEN DRAGONS: A fast team with plenty of experience playing together. Plays a strong defensive zone, returns Frazier, who averaged 8.2 points per game.