Suffolk III girls basketball preview
North Babylon's Makeda Nicholas drives into the paint in the second half of a game against Smithtown West. (Jan. 17, 2013) Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
SUFFOLK III
1. NORTH BABYLON BULLDOGS
Coach: Debbie Brajevich
Key players
G Brianna Jones 5-9
F Makeda Nicholas 6-2
PG Lauren Williams 5-7
PF Katie Zambrotta 5-10
G Sabrina Powell 5-5
Outlook: Jones and Nicholas, two Division-I quality players, are united with Williams, a future D-I point guard.
2. COPIAGUE EAGLES
Coach: Carole Olsen
Key players
PG Ihnacinse Grady 5-5
SG Mikaiya Moore 5-10
F Ashley Harris 5-7
G Princess O'Garro 5-7
G Mikal Knight 5-6
Outlook: Grady and Moore, who is set to return from injury, can both penetrate or hit the three.
3. SMITHTOWN EAST BULLS
Coach: Tom Vulin
Key players
F Sam Delaney 6-2
C Jessica Anderson 6-0
PG Haley Anderson 5-9
SG Brittany Redmond 5-6
G Casey Fitzharris 5-6
Outlook: Will get the ball down low to Delaney, who excels when facing the basket, and Anderson, who thrives in the post.
4. RIVERHEAD BLUE WAVES
Coach: Dave Spinella
Key players
F Sam Dunn 5-10
F Dezarae Brown 6-0
PG Kate McCarney 5-3
SG Kim Ligon 5-5
G Faith Johnson-DiSilvia 5-4
Outlook: The youngest team in the county with a starting lineup of two sophomores, Dunn and Brown, along with three eighth graders.
5. WEST ISLIP LIONS
Coach: Chris Scharf
Key players
G Lindsay Darrell 5-5
F Rachel Hunter 5-10
G Chelsea Sorahan 5-6
G Vanessa Costantino 5-4
F Amanda Arena 5-10
Outlook: A strong defensive team with some weapons on the other end in Darrell, a solid shooter and distributor, and Hunter, a strong shooter.
6. CENTEREACH COUGARS
Coach: Jimmy Steigele Jr.
Key players
G Jackie Buzaid 5-8
G Alycia Indence 5-0
G Cassidy Treanor 5-8
F Lauren Meigel 5-11
F Katrina Ganji 5-8
Outlook: Strong chemistry led by its senior captain, Buzaid, who creates for others, and Indence, a solid shooter and ball handler.
7. NEWFIELD WOLVERINES
Coach: Paul Bertam
Key players
F Yerra Bush 5-9
G Maria Daume 5-7
C Jackie McTigue 5-11
PG Lauren Ducker 5-6
F Kelsey Larkin 5-11
Outlook: The Wolverines like to set up in the half-court in order to use their size to their advantage.
8. SMITHTOWN WEST BULLS
Coach: Katie Combs
Key players
F Katherine DeLanty 5-11
G Siovhan Kehoe 5-9
G Pam Giordano 5-8
G Brenna Butler 5-8
G Gabby Baello 5-6
Outlook: Their half-court set is more balanced and features more shooters.
