Nassau AA-II boys basketball team-by-team outlook
Baldwin's Rhyjon Blackwell dribbles a basketball at practice at Baldwin High School on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
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.
