Suffolk III girls basketball team-by-team outlook
North Babylon's Brianna Lavalle gets double teamed during a Suffolk league 3 girls basketball game against Copiague in North Babylon on Thursday, January 25, 2018. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
SUFFOLK III
BELLPORT CLIPPERS
Last season: 4-16
Coach: Rob Powell
KEY PLAYERS
Erika Johnson F 5-6 Soph.; Nathalia Minchala G 5-5 Sr.; Veronica Riddick G 5-5 Jr.; Colleen Shaw C 5-11 Jr.; Destiny Williams F 5-7 Soph.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS: A young team Powell hopes will improve as the season progresses.
CENTEREACH COUGARS
Last season: 2-17
Coach: Jimmy Steigele
KEY PLAYERS
Megan Agliotis G/F 5-6 Sr.; Sarah Burhmeister F 6-1 8th; Adriana Romo-Leroux G 5-3 Fr.; Jessica Santos G 5-3 Sr.; Jennifer Sommer G 5-3 Sr.
ABOUT THE COUGARS: Burhmeister and Romo-Leroux look to blend with a trio of seniors to improve the team.
COMSEWOGUE WARRIORS
Last season: 9-11
Coach: Joe Caltagirone
KEY PLAYERS
Sofia Colocho G 5-4 Sr.; Lindsay Hanson G 5-7 Jr.; Julianna Watson G 5-7 Sr.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS: Graduated the program’s all-time leading scorer but still has some talent in place.
DEER PARK FALCONS
Last season: 9-11
Coach: Mike Gennaro
KEY PLAYERS
Cassie Hovanec F 5-4 Sr.; Julianna Knice G 5-4 Sr.; Kylie Kuhn G 5-5 Fr.; Bella Mosca G 5-3 Fr.; Zakirah Sands G 5-4 Soph.
ABOUT THE FALCONS: Fighting for a playoff spot behind Knice, a three-year started who averaged 12 points per game.
HUNTINGTON BLUE DEVILS
Last season: 11-10
Coach: Mike Kaplan
KEY PLAYERS
Christie Baade F 5-7 Sr.; Paige Lennon G 5-6 Sr.; Abby Maichin F 5-10 Jr.; Alyssa Sorensen G 5-6 Sr.; Holly Wright G 5-7 Jr.
ABOUT THE BLUE DEVILS: A solid core of returning talent led by Lennon has them in the hunt for the playoffs.
NEWFIELD WOLVERINES
Last season: 2-17
Coach: Douglas Van Bargen
KEY PLAYERS
Olivia Bond G/F 5-6 Sr.; Savannah Bond G 5-5 Soph.; Chinelle Nelson G 5-5 Soph.; Megan Spina G 5-6 Fr.; Trinity Wallace C 5-9 Soph.
ABOUT THE WOLVERINES: Olivia Bond leads a group looking for more consistency and improvement.
NORTH BABYLON BULLDOGS
Last season: 17-3
Coach: Marc Riley
KEY PLAYERS
Raiana Brown PF 6-0 Sr.; Alanna Felix G/F 5-9 Jr.; Brianna Lavalle G 5-5 Sr.; Samantha Muller G 5-10 Soph.; Sofie Tsavaris G 5-8 Soph.
ABOUT THE BULLDOGS: The class of Suffolk League 3, they’re a legitimate Suffolk Class AA contender.
SMITHTOWN EAST BULLS
Last season: 7-13
Coach: Bill Zatulskis
KEY PLAYERS
Kate Cosgrove F 5-11 Jr.; Brianna Durland G 5-7 Jr.; Kate Illari G 5-8 Sr.; Kayla Syrbe G/F 5-9 Sr.; Ella Whitehouse G 5-5 Sr.
ABOUT THE BULLS: An intense team with a variety of scoring options and a nice mix of returners and newcomers.
WEST ISLIP LIONS
Last season: 10-10
Coach: Chris Scharf
KEY PLAYERS
Alexandra Gagliardi F 5-10 Jr.; Carolyn Greenwald G 5-4 Sr.; Peyton Ryan G 5-9 Sr.; Nikki Vallinoto F 5-8 Jr.; Julia Varley G 5-3 Sr.
ABOUT THE LIONS: Greenwald, Ryan and Varley provide balance and leadership in the backcourt.
