Suffolk VII and VIII boys basketball preview
Center Moriches' Ahkee Anderson (23) moves the ball in the third quarter during the Suffolk High School boys basketball game between Longwood and Center Moriches on Friday Dec 6, 2019 at Longwood High School. Credit: Bob Sorensen
SUFFOLK VII
BABYLON PANTHERS
Last season: 3-15
Coach: Bill Singleton
KEY PLAYERS
Lucas Lassen F 6-2 Jr.; Elijah Kneeland F 6-3 So. Kieran O’Halloran G/F 5-11 Sr.; Will Singleton G/F 6-0 Sr.; James Tourin G 5-11 Jr.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS: A tough team looking to battle on the boards for extra possessions, led by O’Halloran and Tourin.
CENTER MORICHES RED DEVILS
Last season: 21-6
Coach: Nick Thomas
KEY PLAYERS
Ahkee Anderson G 6-0 Sr.; Dayrien Franklin G 5-11 Jr.; Emond Frazier F 6-4 Sr.; Jayden Kealy F/C 6-5 Jr.; Nae’jon Ward G 5-9 Sr.
ABOUT THE RED DEVILS: After losing in the state Class B semifinals last year, Center Moriches will rely on a strong backcourt to make a run toward a state title. Anderson, who averaged 23 points per game for Greenport last season, will lead the team.
HAMPTON BAYS BAYMEN
Last season: 8-12
Coach: Pete Meehan
KEY PLAYERS
Lucas Brown G 5-10 Sr.; Jack McNamara G 5-6 Jr.; Steven Mora G 5-9 Sr.; Jaden Ottati G 6-0 Jr.; Jonathan Salas F 6-0 Sr.
ABOUT THE BAYMEN: Hampton Bays is a guard-oriented team, led by Brown, a three-year starter who attacks the rim and plays tough defense. He averaged 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season.
MATTITUCK TUCKERS
Last season: 12-11
Coach: Paul Ellwood
KEY PLAYERS
Xavier Allen G 6-1 Sr.; Sean Kobel G 6-0 Jr.; Rashad Lawson F 6-3 Jr.; Chris Nicholson F 6-2 Sr.; Luke Woods G 5-8 So.
ABOUT THE TUCKERS: Mattituck will be led by Allen, who averaged 22 points per game and Lawson, who added eight points per game last season.
PORT JEFFERSON ROYALS
Last season: 1-19
Coach: Jayson Williams
KEY PLAYERS
Justin Everson G 6-0 Sr.; Drew Feinstein G 5-10 Fr.; Luke Filippi F 6-1 So.; David Ford G 5-7 So.; John Sheils F 6-1 So.
ABOUT THE ROYALS: A young and athletic team, featuring Feinstein, who averaged 14.8 points per game and shot 88 percent from the foul line as an eighth-grader last season.
SOUTHAMPTON MARINERS
Last season: 14-6
Coach: Herm Lamison
KEY PLAYERS
Sincere Faggins G 5-11 Sr.; Artemi Gavalas G 5-11 Sr.; James Malone F 6-3 Sr.; Zy-Aire Pittman G 5-11 Sr.; Dakoda Smith G/F 6-3 Sr.;
ABOUT THE MARINERS: Playing an up-tempo offense, Southampton will rely on the speed and shooting of its guards, led by Smith and Faggins.
SUFFOLK VIII
BRIDGEHAMPTON KILLER BEES
Last season: 15-10
Coach: Ron White
KEY PLAYERS
Anthony Cabrera G 5-4 So.; David Simmons F 5-9 So.; Kris Vinski G 5-6 Fr.; Scott Vinski G 5-6 Fr.; Will Walker F 6-1 Sr.;
ABOUT THE KILLER BEES: The defending Long Island Class D champions are young and will rely on the experience of Walker.
GREENPORT PORTERS
Last season: 21-3
Coach: Ev Corwin
KEY PLAYERS
Ev Corwin Jr. G 5-9 So.; Jahmeek Freeman G 5-9 So.; Jordan Hubbard C 6-4 So.; Joshua Santacroce G 5-10 Sr.; Jaylen Stilley F 6-0 Sr.
ABOUT THE PORTERS: Greenport lost six rotational players, including four starters, from a team that reached the state semifinals last year. The Porters will rely on young contributors, led by Santacroce and Corwin Jr.
PIERSON WHALERS
Coach: Will Fujita
Last season: 10-9
KEY PLAYERS
Wilson Bennett F 6-3 So.; Henry Brooks G 6-2 Jr.; Habtamu Coulter F 6-4 Jr.; Nick Egbert G 6-0 Sr.; Cecil Munshin G 6-0 So.
ABOUT THE WHALERS: A physical team, led by the dynamic scoring of Brooks, who averaged 22.8 points per game last season. Bennett added 9.6 points per game.
THE ROSS SCHOOL
Last season: 2-14
Coach: Nygel Roach
KEY PLAYERS
Richie Brew G/F 6-2 Sr.; Orlando Narrizano C 6-4 Sr.; Juan Navarro G/F 6-2 Jr.; Rey Navarro G 5-9 Sr.; John Saldana G 6-0 Sr.
ABOUT ROSS: With an emphasis on speed and defense, Ross looks to rely on senior leadership and experience this year.
SHELTER ISLAND INDIANS
Last season: 8-13
Coach: Jay Card Jr.
KEY PLAYERS
Junior Gill G 5-11 Jr.; Daniel Martin G 5-11 Sr.; Lucas Quigley-Dunning F 6-2 Sr.; Walter Richards 6-2 F Sr.; Keith Taplin F 6-2 Sr.
ABOUT THE INDIANS: Shelter Island is an experienced team that will lean on Quigley-Dunning, who averaged 16 points per game last season.
SMITHTOWN CHRISTIAN KNIGHTS-
Last season: 1-11
Coach: Daniel Skaritka
KEY PLAYERS
Jon Evers G 5-9 Jr.; Gabe Gibson F 6-0 Sr.; Josh Magnum G 5-9 Jr.; Josh Rivers F 6-2 Sr.; DenMark Simon F 6-0 Jr.
ABOUT THE KNIGHTS: Smithtown Christian returns a strong core, highlighted by Magnum, who averaged 11.5 points and 2.5 steals per game last season, and Gibson, who averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds per game last season.
SOUTHOLD SETTLERS
Last season: 12-8
Coach: Lucas Grigonis
KEY PLAYERS
Cole Brigham G 6-0 Sr.; Nick Eckhardt G/F 6-1 Sr.; Nick Grathwohl G 6-1 Sr.; Jaishaun McRae G 5-8 Jr.; Steven Russell F 6-2 Sr.
ABOUT THE SETTLERS: After making its first county final since 2010, Southold returns a strong and experienced team from last season, led by Grathwohl, who averaged 19.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Russell, a four-year starter, averaged 16.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
