Section 1 boys hoops: Class A capsules

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The information below was contributed by the coaches listed. Don't see your team? Email Kevin Devaney Jr at kdevaney@cablevision.com

TEAM CAPSULES: SECTION 1 CLASS A

Ardsley Panthers
Coach: Andrew Beames (8th season)
2010-2011 record: 8-12, beat Saunders in outbracket game, lost to Pearl River in first round
Impact players: John Scrofani-Soph., Jake Leibersohn-Sr., Dan Stein-Sr., Mark Whitley-Sr.
Rising stars: Andrew Cohen-Jr., Eric Diamond-Jr., Tommy Foley-Jr., Brendan Grant-Jr., Gabe Kardish-Jr., Carlos Monserrate-Jr., Connor Rice-Jr., Andrew Saklad-Jr., Eric Scaperrotta-Jr., and Alec Eisenberg-Sr.
Coach’s forecast: “I expect the 2011 season to be a rebuilding year. We have a team who works well together and will learn quickly. We lost a majority of our team to graduation last year leaving big holes to fill.” Ardsley’s strengths include chemistry and quick guards. Size and inexperience could be an issue.

Brewster Bears
Coach: John Martino (30th year)
2010-11 record: 13-6
Impact Players: Jack Dignan 6’ Sr G, Ryan Mahoney 5’10” Sr G, Mike Bonilla 6’3: Sr F, Emanuel Simpri 6’5” Sr F
Rising Stars: Brian McNeill 6’4” Jr F
Coach’s forecast: The Bears return three double-digit scorers and should compete for a league championship if they commit to defending , rebounding and taking care of the ball. We have a tougher overall schedule than last year but the team should be up to the challenge. Our senior leadership, team chemistry and enthusiasm have been excellent. We hope to have a terrific season and enjoy the journey in the process.

Byram Hills Bobcats
Coach: Ted Repa, 10th season
2010-11 Record: 18-6 (Won Section 1 Class A title, reached state Final 4)
Impact players: Jeff Lynch, 5’11” Jr., Guard; Ryan Golden, 6’1” Jr. Forward; Andrew Maloney, 6’1” Sr. Wing; Alex O’Brien, 6’4” Sr., Forward; Charlie Murphy, 6’1” Sr., Guard; Matt Debold, 6’1” Sr., Forward; Peter DiCristofaro, 6’2” Sr., Forward
Rising Stars: Brian Skelly, 5’9” Jr., Guard; Andrew Groll, 6’6” Fr., Center
Coach’s forecast: “The talent is as high as we’ve ever seen in the last decade. But everyone knows we did not win last year because of talent – we won by playing smart and together on the court, while forming a tremendous bond that went beyond just basketball. Replacing the leadership from last year’s seniors will be crucial. This year’s team will have moments of dominance, but will also encounter the inevitable struggles that come with a brutal schedule. How we handle that adversity and deal with the elevated expectations will determine whether or not this team will have a chance to defend their title.”

Eastchester Eagles
Coach: Fred DiCarlo
2010-11 record: 15-5, lost in Class A first round
Impact Players: Dave Solano Sr. F 6'2 Jack Daly So. G 6'0
Rising stars: Nick Campana So. F/G 5'11,Dan Ciardiello Jr. F 6'0 , Kevin Teahan Jr. G 6'0
Coach’s forecast: “We return our two top scorers from last year but much of the team after that is new. We will struggle until we learn how to play with each other. We are small but pretty fast.”

Lakeland Hornets
Coach: Henry Weltman (20th Season)
2010-2011 record: 9-11 (lost in first round to Kennedy)
Impact players: Alex Perlman (6-3) Sr., F, Matt Tartaglia (5-10) Sr., G, Tyler Troppmann (6-0) Sr., F, Matt Wright (6-3) Sr., C, Dan Eremita (6-0) Sr., G, Joe Dizon (6-0) Sr., G, Erik Schneider (6-3) Sr. F, Colin Glenn (6-1) Sr., F
Rising stars: Joe Palazzo (6-3) Sr., C Anthony Mendoza (5-7) Jr., G Chris Conklin (5-9) Jr. G, Ray Bozek (5-11) Jr.,G Tom Harten (6-0) Jr., F Benny Dedvukaj (6-0) Jr., G
Coach's Forecast: The strength will be chemistry and experience. All-league players Tartaglia and Perlman are back. The Hornets have to rebound better then they did last season.

Panas Panthers
Coach: Shawn Sullivan ( 10th season)
2010-11 record: 11-8
Impact players: Zac Preuss (5-10), Sr.,G; Vaughn Dweck (6-3), Jr. G;
Ruben Rosado (6-1), Sr., C; Matthew Czuy (6-0),Sr., G; Jimmy Jackson (6-0), Jr., G.
Rising stars: Eddie Hoffman (6-0), Jr., G; Javier Thompson (6-1), Jr., F;
Brian Holderman (5-10), Jr., G; Daniel Scott (5-9), Jr., G; Brian Larkin (6-0). Jr., G;
Corey Dean (6-2), Jr., C; Ian Ascuasiati (6-3), Jr., F.
Coach’s forecast: “I think we have the ability to score the basketball. The success of our season will come down to how we defend and rebound. Preuss is coming off a junior season were he shot 40-percent from 3-point range and led the team in assists. Dweck is entering his second year on varsity after a sophomore campaign were he averaged 15 points per game and was named all-league.

Pearl River High School
Coach: Jerry Houston (16th season)
2010-2011 Record: 18-4 (Lost in Class A championship game)
Impact Players: Joe Clinton (5'10), Sr., PG; Austin O'Toole (5'10), Sr., G
Rising Stars: Sean Wilson (6'2) Sr., F; Kevin Degnan (6'6) So., F
Coach’s Forecast: “It will be interesting to see the development of Joe Clinton and Austin O'Toole as they take on leadership roles. Both guys played major minutes last year and will need to take their games to another level. Kevin Degnan and Sean Wilson will have to transition from reserves to major contributors. We will have to take care of the ball and play solid team defense to be competitive. We have to play an always tough Rockland schedule and will be tested every night. We face two AA schools to open the year and then face rival Tappan Zee in the TZ Tournament."

Peekskill Red Devils
Coach: Lou Panzanaro (28th season)
2010-11 record: 12-8 (Lost in Class A quarterfinals)
Impact Players: Kyree Hull (6'0), Sr., G; Bayron Carter (6'4), Sr., F; Chandler Pierce (6'4)Sr., F; Daniel Casey (6'1) Jr., G/F; Tyler Daniel (5'8) Sr., G; Robert Lyles (5'11), Sr., G; Gydal Sorrell (5'7) Sr., G; Eddie Reeves (6'2) Sr., G/F
Rising Stars: Courtney Mapp (6'5), Sr., F/C; Ramon Searight (6'), Jr., G; Chavis Piggot (5’10), So., G; Nyrock Brown (6'4), So., F/C; Saleem Sutton (6'4), Sr., F; Musheed Mahammad (6'5), So., F/C
Coach's forecast: “This group has not had a lot of experience playing together, but given their chemistry and work ethic, it should be a successful year. We have great depth; there is not a great deal of difference between the 1st and 14th player. The team is very unselfish and there should be very balanced scoring which will help even out our lack of size.”

Pelham Pelicans
Coach: Mark Finegan (14th year)
2010-11 record: 15-5 (lost by a point in Class A quarterfinals to eventual champion Byram Hills)
Impact players: Matt Henson 6'2" Sr., G/F; Zack Rollins 6'4, Sr., F/C, Shaquille Richards 5'10, Sr., G; Tommy Schiaroli, 5'10, Sr., G.
Rising stars: Chris Ayson 6'1, Soph., G: Jon Miller 6-0, Jr., C; Matt Rial 5'10, Jr., G: Lance Stokes 6'2, Sr., G/F: Nick Vrahimis 6-0, Jr., G/F.
Coach’s forecast: Matt Henson offers a strong outside/inside presence on offense. a plethora of outside shooting options. “This is a very young and inexperienced team. The Pelicans graduated nine players from last years 15-5 squad. We also lack size for the first time in a long time. We have focused a lot of our efforts in the first weeks of practice on rebounding and reducing turnovers. With a lot of raw skill on the offensive end, the feeling is if we can control the boards and keep our turnovers to a minimum a strong season is within reach.”

Port Chester Rams
Coach: Craig Holcomb (fourth season)
2010-11 record: 10-10
Rising stars: Tim Brown 6'4, Jr., C; Kason Calhoun 6-0, Jr., G; Tyrik Harris 5-8, G; Preston Higgins 5-11, G.
Coach’s forecast: “We graduated 95-percent of our scoring from last year and 90-percent of minutes played. We are in a rebuilding mode. We have been working very hard this preseason so we will see what happens.”

Saunders Blue Devils
Coach: Anthony Nicodemo (third season)
2010-11 record: 6-13 (lost in first round of Class A playoffs)
Impact Players: Jerrell Benitez, 5'8" Sr. G; Mike Sullivan, 5'11", Sr. G; Rahbir Hamman, 6'5" Jr. F
Rising Stars: Anthony Holowiak, 6'0" Jr. G; Erickson Gonzalez, 6'2" Fr. G
Coach’s forecast: "With three returning starters who played considerable minutes last season we will look to use our experience to our advantage. My guys put in a tremendous amount of work during the off-season and the improvement is apparent. Hopefully this will translate to more wins this season."

Sleepy Hollow Horsemen
Coach: Rob Rizzo (1st season)
2010-11 record: 9-8 (Lost in Class A first round)
Impact players: Christian Berenguer (5-11), Sr. G and Freddie Bertrand (5-7), Sr. G; Jack Centra (6-1), Sr. G; LJ Garrant (6-1), Sr. F; Tommy Fahey (5-11), Sr. F; Harley Falasca (6-2), Sr. F; Ronny Rodriguez (5-10), Sr. G.
Rising stars: Nick Arduino (5-11), So. G; Ronniel Munoz (5-10), Jr. G; Eziekel Sierra (6-4), Jr. F; Dartry Valdez (6-1), Sr. F; Dionel Infante (5-11), Jr. G
Coach's forecast: “I think we can become a very good defensive team by mid-season. If we become a solid offensive-execution team and learn to gang rebound we will be able to make up for our lack of size and could cause problems for our opponents later in the season.” Harley Falasca is team's returning leading scorer.

Somers Tuskers
Coach: Mark Tanzi (5th season)
2010-11 record: 9-11
Impact Players: Nick Colombo (6’3), Sr., G/F; John Decker (6’1), Jr., G; Austin Brown (6’8), Sr., C/F; Jack Gargiulo (6’2), Sr., G/F; Kevin Murray (6’3), F; Sr., Spencer Irwin (5'10), Sr., G; Kevin Cousin (6'2), Sr. G/F
Rising Stars: Max Parks (6’9), So., C; Matt Chiraboga (6’5), Jr., F/C; J.T. Genovese (6-8), Jr., C; Ryan Kearney (6-0), Sr., G; Stefano Bicknese (5'11), Jr., G; Anthony Salgado (5'7), Sr., G; Matt Moros (5'8), So., G
Coach's forecast: “If we play to our potential, this could be a very good year for Somers basketball. The team is deep with talent and can rebound and shoot the ball. Any one of the starters and many of the players coming off the bench can score double digits in a game. Our bench is very deep as we may use 10-12 players a game. We’re really looking forward to this season.”

Tappan Zee Dutchemen
Coach: George Gaine
2010-2011 record: 16-5 (Lost in Class A semifinals)
Impact Players: Joe Letizia (5’8), Jr., G; Pat Peterson (6’1), Sr., G/F; Billy O’Shea (6’3) Sr,. F; Brendan Donahue (6’2), Sr., G/F; Mcglaughlin (6’0), Sr., G; Kevin Dinnegan (5’8), Sr., G
Rising Stars: Brendan Hauser (6’0), Jr., G; Timmy Earhardt (5’9), Jr., G; Eric Casey (6’5) Jr., F/C; Luke Mcglaughlin (6’2), Fr., F/C
Coach’s quote: “We have a lot of experience on this team and that should help us. There are a lot of really good players and teams in our league. In order for us to reach our goals we have to become consistently good on defense.”

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