Suffolk III girls basketball preview
NorthportÕs Danielle Pavinelli looks to shoot defended by Ward MelvilleÕs Jamie Agostino during a Suffolk Class AA semifinal girls basketball game on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
CENTEREACH COUGARS
Last season: 0-18
Coach: Jimmy Steigele
KEY PLAYERS
Sarah Buhrmeister F 6-1 Fr.; Megan Blount G 5-5 Jr.; Victoria DiMondo F 5-6 Jr.; Jamie Eck G 5-3 Jr.; Adrianna Romo-Leroux G 5-3 So.
ABOUT THE COUGARS: The young team is looking to make improvements and build a foundation for the future.
COPIAGUE EAGLES
Last season: 16-5
Coach: Carole Olsen
KEY PLAYERS
Briyanna Covington C 6-2 Sr.; Lanyah Ford PG 5-3 Sr.; Kayla Roberts G 5-4 Sr.; Samelia Roberts F 6-0 Sr.
ABOUT THE EAGLES: Ford packed her stat sheet last season with 15.2 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists per game last season. She’ll look to add even more this winter, joining two other returning players.
HALF HOLLOW HILLS EAST THUNDERBIRDS
Last season: 20-3
Coach: Adam Cirnigliaro
KEY PLAYERS
Mumtaaz Najimi G 5-9 Jr.; Ava Salti G 5-4 Sr.; Remi Sisselman G 6-0 Jr.; Kaylee Stein F 5-9 Sr.; Alyssa Studdert G 5-3 So.
ABOUT THE THUNDERBIRDS: Last season’s county semifinalists are led by Sisselman, who transferred from Portledge where she averaged 15 points per game last season.
HUNTINGTON BLUE DEVILS
Last season: 10-10
Coach: Mike Kaplan
KEY PLAYERS
Jordan Forte G 5-7 Jr.; Abigail Maichin G 5-11 Sr.; Junie Nostile F 6-5 So.; Emily Plachta G 5-11 So.; Holly Wright G 5-7 Sr.
ABOUT THE BLUE DEVILS: Maichin and Platcha both averaged double-doubles last season for a team built around a strong defense.
NEWFIELD WOLVERINES
Last season: 7-7
Coach: Doug Von Bargen
KEY PLAYERS
Savannah Bond G 5-3 Jr.; Chinelle Nelson G 5-4 Jr.; Raiyah Reid G 5-2 8th; Madison Roman F 5-7 Sr.; Megan Spina F 5-7 So.
ABOUT THE WOLVERINES: A solid core of returning players look to build on last season’s success after clinching the program’s first playoff berth in more than a decade.
NORTHPORT TIGERS
Last season: 21-3
Coach: Richard Castellano
KEY PLAYERS
Sophia Bica G 5-8 So.; Kerry Dennin F 5-10 Sr.; Kelly McLaughlin F 5-10 Sr.; Danielle Pavinelli PG 5-9 Sr.; Sophia Yearwood G/F 5-8 So.
ABOUT THE TIGERS: After falling to Longwood in the Suffolk AA final last season, Northport returns nine players, including multi-sport standout Pavinelli (11.9 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, 5 assists per game last season), as well as SUNY Geneseo commits McLaughlin and Dennin.
SMITHTOWN WEST BULLS
Last season: 8-12
Coach: Katie Combs
KEY PLAYERS
Brianna Guglielmo F 5-9 So.; Karsyn Kondracki G 5-6 So.; Madison Misser G 5-8 So.; Jill Meaney F 5-9 Sr.; Ryann Reynolds G/F 5-8 So.
ABOUT THE BULLS: Playing in a new league this season, Smithtown West will depend on its returning core, led by multi-sport standout Meaney.
