Suffolk II girls basketball team-by-team outlook
Samantha Muller of North Babylon keeps Copiague's Tayanee Peay on the outside during a Suffolk league 3 girls basketball game in North Babylon on Thursday, January 25, 2018. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
BAY SHORE MARAUDERS
Last season: 2-18
Coach: Janine Mazzie
KEY PLAYERS
Maje Barry F 6-1 Sr.; Lanasia Drain F 6-2 Sr.; Angelina Fargas G 5-8 Jr.; Daja Farmer F 6-1 Jr.; Kyrstin White G 5-4 Soph.
ABOUT THE MARAUDERS: Three 6-footers give them valuable size inside after a rough season.
CONNETQUOT THUNDERBIRDS
Last season: 6-13
Coach: Charlie Hafner
KEY PLAYERS
Emma Bunicci F 5-9 Sr.; Victoria Darcangelis G 5-5 Sr.; Morgan Elliott G 5-9 Soph.; Jenna Erdman F 5-7 Soph.; Karly Hokenson G 5-7 Sr.
ABOUT THE THUNDERBIRDS: Bunicci (6.8 points per game) and Hokenson (5.4) lead the way.
COPIAGUE EAGLES
Last season: 15-5
Coaches: Carole Olsen & Gabrielle Gibson
KEY PLAYERS
Lanyah Ford G 5-6 Jr.; Melinda Harris F/G 5-8 Sr.; Faith McCombs F 5-10 Sr.; Tayanee Peay PG 5-8 Sr.; Samelia Roberts F 5-11 Jr.
ABOUT THE EAGLES: Peay, a natural point guard who can shoot from anywhere, could take the Eagles to the playoffs.
HALF HOLLOW HILLS EAST THUNDERBIRDS
Last season: 21-3
Coach: Adam Cirnigliaro
KEY PLAYERS
Tamara Graham G 5-8 Jr.; McKayla Jones G 5-5 Sr.; Kaylee Stein F 5-10 Jr.; Alyssa Studdert PG 5-3 Fr.; Sophia Tawil G 5-10 Sr.
ABOUT THE THUNDERBIRDS: Graduated 80 percent of the scoring but the county runner-up has talent to fill the void.
LINDENHURST BULLDOGS
Last season: 10-10
Coach: Greg Flynn
KEY PLAYERS
Morgan Brown C 5-11 Jr.; Kelly Griffin G 5-8 Fr.; Natalia Gudel G 5-7 Jr.; Shay McCandless F 5-9 Sr.; Avery Shagen G 5-7 Sr.
ABOUT THE BULLDOGS: A veteran team looking to make playoffs in a tough league, led by McCandless and Shagen.
NORTHPORT TIGERS
Last season: 17-4
Coach: Rich Castellano
KEY PLAYERS
Shea Cronin G 5-4 Sr.; Kerry Dennin F 5-11 Jr.; Leah Morawski F 5-11 Sr.; Danielle Pavinelli G 5-10 Jr.; Hannah Stockman G 5-10 Sr.
ABOUT THE TIGERS: Last year’s No. 3 seed lost to No. 14 Brentwood and is looking for a better result this winter.
RIVERHEAD BLUE WAVES
Last season: 14-6
Coach: Jackie Zilnicki
KEY PLAYERS
Kristina Dunn F 6-0 Sr.; Angelina Graziano G/F 5-9 Sr.; Ishanti Gumbs G 5-3 Jr.; Ce’Ahnie Khan G 5-3 Jr.; Regan Montefusco F 5-10 Sr.
ABOUT THE BLUE WAVES: Speed should spark a pressure defense, while an aggressive offense will feed the bigs.
SMITHTOWN WEST BULLS
Last season: 5-14
Coach: Katie Combs
KEY PLAYERS
Hannah DiBlanda F 5-9 Sr.; Rebecca Farrell G/F 5-7 Sr.; Gabby Lorefice G 5-7 Sr.; Taylor Mennella G 5-6 Sr.; Jill Meaney F 5-8 Jr.
ABOUT THE BULLS: New to Suffolk II, athleticism and defense will be keys for the Bulls.
WHITMAN WILDCATS
Last season: 12-9
Coach: Dan Trebour
KEY PLAYERS
Madonna Getchell F 5-8 Soph.; Desiree Kleberg G 5-7 Sr.; Danielle Kleet G 5-4 Sr.; Meghan Soulias F 5-10 Sr.; Jenna Stockfeder F 6-0 Soph.
ABOUT THE WILDCATS: A playoff contender led by Kleet and Soulias, who Trebour said will miss some time early with an injury.
