Suffolk III boys basketball preview
Half Hollow Hills East's Dante Green (24, right) looks to get past North Babylon's Kareen O'Brian (4, left), during the Suffolk Class AA boys quarterfinals on Saturday Feb. 16, 2019. Credit: Richard T. Slattery
CENTEREACH COUGARS
Last season: 9-11
Coach: Ed Miller
KEY PLAYERS
Matt Maxwell G 5-11 Jr.; Matt Robbert F 6-4 Sr.
ABOUT THE COUGARS: Centereach returns four players from last season, led by Robbert, who is a standout athlete receiving Division-I football interest.
COPIAGUE EAGLES
Last season: 1-19
Coach: Steve Rebholz
KEY PLAYERS
Danny Batista G 5-10 Jr.; Makhi Harris F 6-2 Jr.; Rashad Kee G 6-1 So.; Malachi Moore G 6-2 Fr.; Micah Moore G/F 6-1 Sr.
ABOUT THE EAGLES: Copiague is a young team that will rely on Moore, who has been on varsity since the seventh grade.
HALF HOLLOW HILLS EAST THUNDERBIRDS
Last season: 19-5
Coach: Peter Basel
KEY PLAYERS
Dante Green G/F 6-3 Fr.; Demetrius Guillaume G 6-0 Sr.; Mackenzie Jeon F 6-4 Sr.; Reid Pliskin G 5-11 Sr.; Jake Selmer F 6-2 Sr.
ABOUT THE THUNDERBIRDS: A young team, Hills East will rely on defense, athleticism and speed after playing in its third Suffolk Class AA final last season. Dante Green, younger brother of the Lakers’ Danny Green, averaged 7 points and 6 rebounds last season and will take on a larger role this season.
HUNTINGTON BLUE DEVILS
Last season: 2-18
Coach: Jordan Ioviero
KEY PLAYERS
Adrian Brooks G 5-9 Jr.; Ulixis Colato G 5-9 Sr.; Daniel Danziger F 6-4 Sr.; Max Rentsch G 6-1 So.; Omari Stephen F 6-3 Sr.
ABOUT THE BLUE DEVILS: Brooks and Colato look to create an athletic backcourt tandem, pushing the ball on offense and playing tough defense.
NEWFIELD WOLVERINES
Last season: 8-12
Coach: Anthony Agostino
KEY PLAYERS
Colin Cassara G 5-10 Sr.; Andrew Daniels C 6-10 Sr.; Ziggy Hoe G 6-1 Jr.; Kyle Siemienwicz F 6-2 Sr.; Devin Ward G 5-9 Sr.
ABOUT THE WOLVERINES: Newfield returns four starters, including Cassara, who is a four-year starter with a knack for getting to the basket and drawing fouls. He averaged 20.1 points per game last season. Ward added seven points and six assists per game, and Hoe averaged nine points and six rebounds per game last season.
NORTHPORT TIGERS
Last season: 14-7
Coach: Andrew D’Eloia
KEY PLAYERS
Pat Healy G 6-0 Jr.; Robby Kennedy G 5-9 Jr.; George Mansour G/F 6-5 Sr.; Sean Walsh G 6-2 Sr.; Nick Watts F 6-5 So.
ABOUT THE TIGERS: Northport will be led by a pair of three-year varsity players in Walsh and Healy. Walsh averaged 15 points and Healy averaged 12 points per game last season.
SMITHTOWN WEST BULLS
Last season: 12-8
Coach: Michael Agostino
KEY PLAYERS
Matt Behrens F 6-1 Sr.; Michael Behrens F 6-1 Sr.; Todd Calden G 6-3 Sr.; Sam Frank G 5-10 Sr.; TJ Smith G 5-8 Sr.
ABOUT THE BULLS: A fast-paced offense with strong shooting, the Bulls return Matt and Michael Behrens, who averaged 14 points, six rebounds and three assists and 15 points, four rebounds and six assists per game last season, respectively.
