Nassau AA-II boys basketball preview
Darius Burton of Baldwin High School communicates with his team at the NYSPHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament in Glens Falls. (March 17, 2012) Credit: Pat Orr
NASSAU AA-II1. BALDWIN BRUINSCoach: Darius Burton
Key players
G Sydney Pigott 5-8
G D'Marco Barnes 5-10
F MiKing Richardson 6-0
F Dan Nwalor 6-1
C Paul Nosworthy 6-4
Outlook: The back-to-back county champions remain the team to beat behind Richardson.
2. VALLEY STREAM CENTRAL EAGLES
Coach: Hayward Alfred
Key players
G Brandon Richburg 5-11
G Kevin Blocker 6-2
F Winston Jones 6-4
F Eriq Williams 6-6
C Andre Garroway 6-4
Outlook: Williams and Jones are a formidable pair and could lead team to a playoff spot.
3. PORT WASHINGTON VIKINGS
Coach: Sean Dooley
Key players
G Matt Siegel 6-0
G Ryan Kriftcher 6-0
G David Kobus 5-11
F Noah Linder 6-1
C Jermaine Brown 6-2
Outlook: Kriftcher returns after averaging 17 points and has potential to key a playoff run.
4. EAST MEADOW JETS
Coach: Barry Dickson
Key players
G Damian Sanders 5-8
G Cody Zafran 6-1
F Brandon Callaghan 6-0
F Joe Forrler 6-3
C Austin Birnbaum 6-4
Outlook: Zafran and Forrler should make the Jets a playoff contender again this year.
5. HICKSVILLE COMETS
Coach: Phil Essigman
Key players
G Connor McPartland 5-9
G Michael Osmundsen 5-10
F Steven Pavlak 6-0
F Justin Mize 6-4
C Ryan Toomey 6-1
Outlook: Team will experience a rebuilding year with two starting freshmen.
6. PLAINVIEW JFK HAWKS
Coach: Mike Harris
Key players
G Joe Gallego 5-6
G Chris Tracz 6-0
F David Glass 6-2
F Vinny Ruggiero 6-2
C Brad Weiss 6-5
Outlook: Gallego is a reliable point guard and other strengths are depth and size.
7. MacARTHUR GENERALS
Coach: Eric Rubin
Key players
G Thomas McAndrew 5-9
G Dean Peluso 5-7
G Ryan Cunningham 6-0
F Tom Melendez 6-0
F Greg Baumstein 6-1
Outlook: Hope to learn from last season; have a solid point guard in McAndrew.
