Suffolk VI girls basketball team-by-team outlook
Pierson's Katie Kneeland #2 takes a foul shot during Port Jefferson's victory over Pierson in the Suffolk County girls basketball Class C finals at Riverhead High School in Riverhead on Feb 18, 2017. Credit: Daniel De Mato
BABYLON PANTHERS
Last season: 11-9
Coach: Chris Ryan
KEY PLAYERS
Erin Corcoran F/G 5-7 Jr.; Danielle Donaldson G 5-6 Jr.; Lorraine Felisme G 5-5 Fr.; Lauren Jurs F 5-7 Sr.; Emma Ward G 5-3 Jr.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS: Graduated all five starters but tough defensive play has Babylon poised for a run.
CENTER MORICHES
RED DEVILS
Last season: 1-17
Coach: Rich Roberts
KEY PLAYERS
Indya Brown G 5-3 Sr.; Bella Burke G 5-5 Fr.; Grace Castiglione F 5-6 Jr.; Nylla Coffey F 5-6 Sr.; Sabrina Scuria G 5-4 Sr.
ABOUT THE RED DEVILS: Brown and Scuria can get to the basket, while Burke is a strong shooter.
EAST HAMPTON BONACKERS
Last season: 0-16
Coach: Krista Brooks
KEY PLAYERS
Connie Chan F 5-8 Sr.; Kailey Marmeno G 5-5 Jr.; Alden Powers G 5-6 Jr.
ABOUT THE BONACKERS: Two returning seniors will help usher in a new era under first-year coach Brooks.
GREENPORT/SOUTHOLD PORTERS
Last season: 4-12
Coach: Skip Gehring
KEY PLAYERS
Adrine Demircyan SG 5-6 Fr.; Samantha Dunne SG 5-6 Sr.; Julia Jacklevic SF 5-7 Soph; Molly Tuthill SF 5-7 Jr.; Brittany Walker PG 5-4 Sr.
ABOUT THE PORTERS: A young team with “strong basketball skills,” according to Gehring.
HAMPTON BAYS BAYMEN
Last season: 6-14
Coach: Darryl K. Johnson
KEY PLAYERS
Pamela Grajales SG 5-4 Jr.; Bryona Hayes F 5-9 Fr.; Rebecca Heaney PG 5-6 Jr.; Sarah Montalvo SF 5-7 Fr.; Kaitlyn Mounts F 5-9 Fr.
ABOUT THE BAYMEN: Johnson, the program’s new coach, has talented young players to work with.
MATTITUCK TUCKERS
Last season: 20-3
Coach: Steve Van Dood
KEY PLAYERS
Dominique Crews G 5-8 Sr.; Mackenzie Hoeg G 5-9 Jr.; Rachel Janis G 5-8 Sr.; Julie Seifert C 5-10 Sr.; Jaden Thompson G 5-8 Sr.
ABOUT THE TUCKERS: County champions who graduated all five starters are still athletic and in contention.
PIERSON/BRIDGEHAMPTON WHALERS
Last season: 11-9
Coach: Kevin Barron
KEY PLAYERS
Celia Barranco PF 5-11 Sr.; Aziza El C 5-11 Sr.; Chastin Giles PG 5-3 Jr.; Katie Kneeland G 5-9 Sr.; Paige Schaefer G 5-8 Sr.
ABOUT THE WHALERS: Kneeland leads the team has a dynamic scorer, and Giles is a true point guard.
PORT JEFFERSON ROYALS
Last season: 4-14
Coach: Mike Weaver
KEY PLAYERS
Samantha Ayotte F 5-11 Jr.; Hailey Hearney PG 5-7 Soph.; Lola Idir G 5-6 8th; Abigail Rolfe PF/C 5-9 Fr.; Evelyn Walker SG 5-7 Soph.
ABOUT THE ROYALS: Moving up into Class B means the Royals will be tested, but they return four starters and three key reserves.
SMITHTOWN CHRISTIAN KNIGHTS
Last season: No varsity team
Coach: John Vaeth
KEY PLAYERS
Abigail Laiacano G 5-4 8th; Jane McCabe C 5-11 Sr.; Dorothy Pierre F 5-10 Sr.; Heidi Schneider G 5-7 Sr.; Angel Wang F 5-6 Jr.
ABOUT THE KNIGHTS: Back playing at the varsity level, they’re looking to compete each night.
SOUTHAMPTON MARINERS
Last season: 3-15
Coach: Rich Wingfield
KEY PLAYERS
Cristine Delgado G 5-5 Soph; Caraline Oakley F 5-9 Jr.; Taylor Pike G 5-4 Sr.; Madison Taylor G 5-0 Fr.; Alysha Thomas F 5-8 Jr.
ABOUT THE MARINERS: Moving down to Class B, the Mariners will lean on Pike for stability.
