Suffolk I girls basketball team-by-team outlook
Central Islip's Myha Lombert #1 prepares to pass the ball during the first half of the section XI High School Girls Basketball finals between Central Islip and Mt. Sinai at Suffolk Community College in Selden on March 5, 2017. Credit: Daniel De Mato
BRENTWOOD INDIANS
Last season: 13-10
Coach: Chris Harrison
KEY PLAYERS
Tyleah Brown C 6-0 Sr.; Talia Drakeford F 5-10 Sr.; Josselyn Herrera F 5-11 Jr.; Tyla Michael G 5-8 Jr.; Ashley Richards G 5-5 Jr.
ABOUT THE INDIANS: Fresh off a semifinal appearance and looking for a seventh straight playoff berth.
CENTRAL ISLIP MUSKETEERS
Last season: 9-11
Coach: Paul Venturi
KEY PLAYERS
Ayanna Edwards G 5-3 Soph.; Hannah Greene F 5-8 Soph.; Samara Jaco F 5-8 Jr.; Myha Lombert G 5-4 Sr.; Genisis Mena F 5-8 Jr.
ABOUT THE MUSKETEERS: New to Suffolk League 1, they hope defense leads to low-scoring games.
COMMACK COUGARS
Last season: 24-2
Coach: Denis Conroy
KEY PLAYERS
Claire Janis F 5-8 Soph.; Katie Kelly G 5-3 Sr.; Amanda McMahon G/F 5-8 Sr.; Emily Mooney G/F 5-8 Sr.; Olivia Vasselman G 5-5 Soph.
ABOUT THE COUGARS: Always a contender, Commack must replace four starters but should be a top team.
FLOYD COLONIALS
Last season: 1-19
Coach: Rich Sinclair
KEY PLAYERS
Cynthia Barnosky G 5-7 Fr.; Hailey Loughlin F 5-11 Sr.; Cassidy Samuelson F 5-10 Jr.; Katie Stevenson G 5-5 Jr.; Alexandria Walbroehl F 6-0 Soph.
ABOUT THE COLONIALS: Return four starters including a trio of forwards who are the team’s backbone.
LONGWOOD LIONS
Last season: 16-5
Coach: James Castiglione
KEY PLAYERS
Janelle Brown PG 5-6 Jr.; Nyia Longford F 5-8 Sr.; Taydra Simpson G 5-10 Fr.; Tatiana Stevens F 5-9 Sr.; Kaneasha Strider G 5-3 Sr.
ABOUT THE LIONS: Last year was big, but this one could be bigger with Brown and Longford returning.
PATCHOGUE-MEDFORD RAIDERS
Last season: 2-12
Coach: Leighann Gallagher
KEY PLAYERS
Caitlin Dellecave G 5-9 Jr.; Samantha Farrington G 5-10 Soph.; Alexa Maggiacomo F 5-11 Jr.; Melanie McClinchey G 5-6 Sr.; Emma Remien F 5-11 Jr.
ABOUT THE RAIDERS: Looking to play intense basketball under Gallagher, the program’s new coach.
SACHEM EAST FLAMING ARROWS
Last season: 11-10
Coach: Kristen Doherty
KEY PLAYERS
Meredith Caviglia G 5-6 Soph.; Emma Lange G 5-7 Sr.; Hannah Ruberto F 5-10 Sr.; Sam Szatkowski G/F 5-7 Sr.; Mackenzie Szlosek G 5-6 Soph.
ABOUT THE FLAMING ARROWS: Hoping to make the playoffs for the 15th straight season despite graduating 70 percent of the team’s scoring.
SACHEM NORTH FLAMING ARROWS
Last season: 13-9
Coach: James Mellor
KEY PLAYERS
Corinne Amato G 5-7 Sr.; Hailey Hallum F 5-10 Sr.; Kennadie Hallum G 6-1 Soph.; Jackie Mannix F 5-10 Sr.; Julia Turano F 5-11 Fr.
ABOUT THE FLAMING ARROWS: The Hallums lead the way for an Arrows team hoping to build off its playoff berth.
WARD MELVILLE PATRIOTS
Last season: 11-10
Coach: Sammy Prahalis
KEY PLAYERS
Jamie Agostino G 5-8 Jr.; Bre Cohn G 5-9 Sr.; Molly Cronin G 5-7 Jr.; Lauren Hansen G 5-7 Sr.; Noelle Richardson F 5-9 Sr.
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS: Agostino and Cohn provides support for Hansen on a team poised to make a splash.
