Suffolk II boys basketball preview
Northport forward Lukas Jarrett looks to get inside as North Babylon's Tyree Grimsley defends in a game Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014. Credit: George A. Faella
BAY SHORE MARAUDERS
Coach: CJ Leary
Last season: 11-8
Key players
G Kyree Sawyer 5-10 Jr.
G Angel Rivera 6-2 Jr.
F Jose Rivera 6-2 Jr.
F Lavon Montgomery 6-4 Jr.
C Jordan Drain 6-4 Jr.
Outlook: Bay Shore’s all-junior starting lineup is led by Rivera, a returning all-league player who averaged 14 points and five assists last season.
CENTRAL ISLIP MUSKETEERS
Coach: Larry Butzke
Last season: 16-4
Key players
G Justin Headley 5-7 Sr.
G Malik Clark 5-10 Sr.
G/F My’Quel Matthews 6-2 Sr.
F/C Javal Staton 6-4 Soph.
F/C Christian Cherry 6-5 Jr.
Outlook: Headley is the only returning starter from last year’s league champion, but Butzke expects breakout campaigns from Matthews, Staton and Clark.
CONNETQUOT THUNDERBIRDS
Coach: Kyle Black
Last season: 7-11
Key players
G Justin Paura 6-3 Sr.
G Andrew Wright 5-11 Jr.
F Jeremiah Bozzo 6-3 Jr.
F Ryan Juszcuk-Pope 6-3 Sr.
C Dan Lewis 6-5 Sr.
Outlook: Lewis, a captain and third-year starter, leads a group that gained valuable experience last year and narrowly missed the playoffs. The Thunderbirds have a good mix of inside-outside play.
COPIAGUE EAGLES
Coach: Steve Rebholz
Last season: 16-5
Key players
G Myles Mills 5-9 Sr.
G Ryan Destime 5-11 Jr.
G/F Michael Snowden 6-1 Soph.
F Steven Szabo 6-3 Sr.
F Andrew Morgan 6-6 Sr.
Outlook: Morgan is the only returning starter from last year’s Suffolk AA final four team. The Eagles are newcomers to Suffolk II, moving up from Suffolk III.
HALF HOLLOW HILLS EAST THUNDERBIRDS
Coach: Peter Basel
Last season: 11-8
Key players
G D’Nathan Knox 6-4 Sr.
G Savion Lewis 5-10 Soph.
G Matt Smith 5-11 Sr.
G/F Joe Branch 6-3 Sr.
F Zach Schwartz 6-4 Jr.
Outlook: With lots of depth, athleticism and speed, particularly at the guard positions, the Thunderbirds will look to press and play at a fast pace.
LINDENHURST BULLDOGS
Coach: Jim Fenton
Last season: 1-17
Key players
G Arthur Brzozka 6-1 Jr.
G Gino Bonagura 5-8 Sr.
G Shane Webster 5-10 Jr.
F Emmanuelle Oyakhilome 6-5 Sr.
F Sebastion Stolba 6-3 Sr.
Outlook: In the offseason and preseason, the Bulldogs displayed a work ethic that left Fenton encouraged the team could improve its last-place finish from a season ago.
NORTHPORT TIGERS
Coach: Andrew D’Eloia
Last season: 18-3
Key players
G Brennan Whelan 5-10 Sr.
G Sean O’Shea 5-11 Sr.
G/F Ryan Magnuson 6-3 Jr.
F Lukas Jarrett 6-7 Sr.
F Rory Schynder 6-0 Sr.
Outlook: The Tigers have made three straight Suffolk AA final fours and have the experience and talent -- with Jarrett leading the way -- to extend the streak another year.
WHITMAN WILDCATS
Coach: Tom Fitzpatrick
Last season: 8-10
G Willie Petro 5-11 Sr.
G Matt Kleet 5-9 Sr.
F Korey Lee 6-4 Jr.
F Brandon Corbin 6-3 Jr.
C Dylan McNally 6-5 Sr.
Outlook: Corbin, a JV addition, is the only player in the starting five without varsity experience. The Wildcats have a realistic chance of making the playoffs, after missing out by one game last year.
