Nassau IV boys basketball preview

Clarke Rams

Coach: Dan Reece

Last season: 2-15

Key players

G Jason Ferreira 6-1 Sr.

G Hashem Pointdexter 5-9 Sr.

G/F Christian Hernandez 6-3 Sr.

F Brandon Oliva 6-1 Sr.

F Kyle Kandel 6-3 Soph.

Outlook: Everything should revolve around Hernandez, a versatile offensive player who averaged 13 points, 11 rebounds and four assists per game last season. Ferreira is a deep threat.

Friends Academy Quakers

Coach: Steve Hefele

Last season: 12-6

Key players

G Corey Goldglit 6-1 Sr.

G Jack Deutsch 6-1 Sr.

G Maclain Pascucci 5-11 Jr.

F JD Baptiste 6-1 Sr.

F Merek Glover 6-2 Sr.

Outlook: Goldglit leads the senior-heavy Quakers after tying Seaford for first place in Nassau V at 10-2 last season. Friends Academy plans to utilize speed to overcome its lack of height.

Island Trees Bulldogs

Coach: Michael Wimmer

Last season: 6-11

Key players

G Joseph Santoro 5-10 Sr.

G Matthew Antonelli 5-11 Sr.

F Vincent Battaglia 6-2 Sr.

F Robert Ferrufino 6-3 Jr.

C Kevin Dixon 6-4 Jr.

Outlook: With Santoro (15 ppg, 7 rpg, 7 apg) leading the backcourt, guard play will be a strength as the Bulldogs hope to turn things around in close games. Last season they lost five conference contests by 22 total points.

Locust Valley Falcons

Coach: Tim Lomot

Last season: 8-10

Key players

G Billy Mullen 5-10 Sr.

G Parker Appel 6-1 Soph.

G Danny Wilson 6-3 Jr.

F Brian Wright 6-3 Jr.

F Billy Finke 6-5 Jr.

Outlook: Wilson is the top returning scorer at 10 points per game, but the Falcons are balanced offensively. Their depth and inside-out game will be keys to their success.

Mineola Mustangs

Coach: Ezra Elliott

Last season: 5-12

Key players

G John McMahon 5-10 Soph.

G Manny Martins 6-2 Jr.

G Elliot Lee 6-3 Jr.

F David Lee 6-2 Jr.

F Bryan Gonzalez 6-2 Sr.

Outlook: The Mustangs graduated nine seniors from last season and Gonzalez is the lone senior starting. Elliott’s plan is to have a stingy half-court defense.