Levine, Ambrosio should keep CSH on top
Cold Spring Harbor's Josh Levine in the semfinals of the state tennis tournament. (June 5, 2010) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
CONFERENCE IA
It is rare that opposing coaches acknowledge the superiority of a rival team. But in the case of three-time defending Long Island champ Cold Spring Harbor, the consensus among rival coaches is as follows: "There is Cold Spring Harbor and everybody else."
The Seahawks are led by All-State returnees Josh Levine and Eric Ambrosio at first and second singles. Levine should contend for an individual state title.
Conor Dauer will play third singles, and first doubles team Jensen Reiter and Alex Tropiano has not lost in two years. Reiter and Tropiano are accomplished singles players on the junior circuit.
Syosset always fields a quality team, but CSH's greatest competition might be Jericho, which has sophomore Sam Lam at first singles, and his senior brother, Matt, at second singles. The Jayhawks, however, might not have the doubles depth of CSH.
Great Neck North and Port Washington should fight for playoff berths.
CONFERENCE IBRoslyn, despite the loss of Austin Blau to graduation, should remain on top after an undefeated season in 2010. Matt Kline, Dustin Breitner and Zach Mintz form a solid singles nucleus.
Friends Academy, with Jon DeFrancesch and Andrew Yaraghi, should be playoff-bound. Garden City joins the conference with defending Nassau singles champion Zach Morris and twin brother, Alex. Long Beach and Hewlett are teams that could sneak into the postseason.
CONFERENCE II
Defending champ Plainview JFK moved from Conference IIA to IA, leaving New Hyde Park, Bellmore JFK and Manhasset as the top contenders.
In IIB, defending Conference III champion Farmingdale and South Side, formerly of IB, join the fray.
Oceanside is coming off a 10-2 season but lost six starters. Jason Fiderer and Ben Strumeyer head a singles group that could spur the Sailors to the top of the conference.
CONFERENCE III
Massapequa returns six players from a team that finished third. Andrew Bentz, T.J. Bilski, and Daniel Kafka will look to help the Chiefs win their first conference title since 2003. Valley Stream South moves up from Conference IV and should be competitive with Stephan Savin at first singles.
CONFERENCE IVBethpage, Sewanhaka/Carey and Valley Stream Central are among the IVA contenders, and Division looks strong in IVB.
CHSAA
Defending regular-season champion St. Anthony's returns a formative team led by reigning league runner-up John D'Alessandro at first singles and Nick Schwab at second singles.
Chaminade, the four-time defending CHSAA champion, should be the Friars' main competition with Rich DeGregoris at first singles. Kellenberg will fight for third place.
