Suffolk II girls basketball preview
Northport guard Lizzie Atkinson shoots a free throw against Longwood at the Suffolk Shootout girls basketball tournament. (Dec. 27, 2012) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
SUFFOLK II
1. NORTHPORT TIGERS
Coach: Rich Castellano
Key players
G Lizzy Atkinson 5-7
G Sarah Simmons 5-8
F Vincenza Patrone 5-8
G/F Emily Robarge 5-8
F Emma Morrison 5-10
Outlook: Should be the team to beat with a court general in Atkinson, a slasher in Simmons, and a deep supporting cast.
2. H.H. HILLS EAST THUNDERBIRDS
Coach: Charles Hamm
Key players
G Julia Gnieser 5-5
G/F Maia Rivers 5-6
F Kristen McKenzie 5-9
G Sam Bozzela 5-5
F Aliyah Minor 5-9
Outlook: Make up for lack of size with shooters like Gnieser, Rivers and Bozzela.
3. WHITMAN WILDCATS
Coach: Dan Trebour
Key players
F Rose Pedretti 5-9
G Nicole Kleet 5-4
F Sarah Olsen, Jr. 5-10
G Brianna DelColle 5-5
G Rosa Portaro 5-6
Outlook: A semifinalist last season, the Wildcats won't be as experienced but also won't allow many points with its pressure defense.
4. LINDENHURST BULLDOGS
Coach: Greg Flynn
Key players
G Alexis Perdue 5-6
F Rachel Gumowski 5-10
G Hara McCandless 5-5
F Maddie Sesselman 5-6
G Jenna Iannacci 5-3
Outlook: A team that takes and makes a lot of threes and runs a lot of screens, led by up-and-coming sophomore guard, Perdue.
5. SACHEM NORTH FLAMING ARROWS
Coach: James Mellor
Key players
F Shayla Cosgrove 5-9
G Eve Calabria 5-7
G/F Kassidy Hallum 5-10
F Annie Keenan 5-10
G Lisa Galante 5-6
Outlook: A cohesive unit, led by a consistent shooter in Cosgrove and playmaker in Calabria, that will move the ball well and find the open player.
6. CENTRAL ISLIP MUSKETEERS
Coach: Paul Venturi
Key players
F Iesha Altidor 5-10
G Dynejah Matthews 5-6
G Chanel Taylor 5-5
F Anhya Jenkins 5-9
G Bryanna Brooks 5-5
Outlook: Altidor and Matthews are stoppers pressure defense and man-to-man formations.
7. CONNETQUOT THUNDERBIRDS
Coach: Leslie Sewell
Key players
G Alyssa Torres 5-7
G/F Jenna Phillips 5-8
G Angela Giangregorio 5-5
F Emily Austin 5-8
F Brittany Curtin 5-7
Outlook: The T-birds can be a good shooting team, led by Torres, a strong ballhandler and playmaker.
8. BAY SHORE MARAUDERS
Coach: Janine Mazzie
Key players
F Carly Cox 5-9
F NyeDia Harris 5-8
F Chelsey Blanchfield 6-0
G Victoria Pearce 5-6
G Jhanae Flythe 5-4
Outlook: A young, developing team led by Cox, an all-around player who can handle and shoot.
