by Tom Pedulla – 

GIRLS

DOBBS FERRY

Last year’s record: 12-10

Top returning players: Raquel Addona, Allison Burtt, Kayla Halvorson, Camryn McCarthy, Alexa Reith, Julia Schwabe.

Key to success: Dobbs Ferry has plenty of offensive firepower. Hard work on defense a must.

Coach’s Quote: “We are good, but we can’t be great until we beat the Irvingtons and Briarcliffs.”         – Stephanie Mills

HACKLEY

Last year’s record: 12-13.

Top returning players: Ismene Germanakos, Sophia Graciano, Zoe Naughton, Isabelle Thomas, Jordan Wade.

Key to success: Hackley hopes to use defensive pressure to create turnovers and trigger its fast break.

Coach’s Quote: “We are aiming to win the Ivy League and go to the state tournament.”
– Margaret Scarcella

IRVINGTON

Last year’s record: 25-2

Top returning players: Aine Cleary, Abby Conklin, Miranda Farman, Eva Gilbert, Kate Hanna, Mia Mascone, Nikki May, Katie LeBuhn, Grace Thybulle.

Key to success:  Everything depends on how quickly team chemistry can be built following the loss of a tremendous graduating class.

Coach’s Quote: “You always have high expectations, but Class B is incredibly strong this year.” – Gina Maher

MASTERS

Last year’s record: 18-4

Top returning players: Emily Brient, Kendra Cooper-Smith, Allie Koziarz, Noemia Massingue, Gwenn Sabato, Brooke Tartarian.

Key to success: Due to lack of depth, avoiding injuries and foul trouble will be big.

Coach’s Quote: “Our hope is to win the league (Fairchester Athletic Association) and we do have hope of getting back to the state championship game.”      – Nick Volchok

SLEEPY HOLLOW

Last year’s record: 7-13

Top returning players: Emma Clarke, Sara Clarke, A.J. Davis-Sumter, Bella Meyer, Sophia Meyer, Jenifer Stewart.

Key to success: Sleepy Hollow will do everything possible to capitalize on an abundance of speed.

Coach’s Quote: “We’re going to be successful when we’re playing for each other and playing hard.”        – Ryan O’Rourke

BOYS

DOBBS FERRY

Last year’s record: 16-6

Top returning players: Jack Baglieri, Luke Distefano, Damani Fraser, Zach Holzman, Lester McCarthy, Dimaunie Meredith.

Key to success: The Eagles boast extraordinary depth, allowing them to attack opponents in waves.

Coach’s Quote: “We’re hoping to contend and challenge some great teams in very competitive Class B.” – Scott Patrillo

HACKLEY

Last year’s record: 5-16

Top returning players: James Sexton-Holtmeier, Walter Myers, Richard Nuzum, Matthew Wiele, Matthew Zampolin.

Key to success: New coach Zach Kuba, recognizing that players endured a difficult season last year, is urging them to stay in the moment and shake off whatever mistakes are made.

Coach’s Quote: “We expect to compete for a league title and make the playoffs. From there, we will see what happens.”      – Zach Kuba

IRVINGTON

Last year’s record: 19-4

Top returning players: Jalen Bartley, James Rhodes, Dylan Seymour, Brant Steinberg, Sidney Thybulle, Jared Topman, Wyatt Trietsman

Key to success: Several players may be needed to fill the void created by the transfer of prolific scorer Colby Martins.

Coach’s Quote: “We’re still expecting to compete for the league title and get where we were last year.”     – Scott Brennen

MASTERS

Last year’s record: 18-7

Top returning players: Ugochukwu Kaehichkwu, Tim Mathas, Isaiah Thompson, Michael Vandermark, Rashid Woods.

Key to success: Kaehichkwu, a 6-6 center from Nigeria who is a four-year starter, needs to assert himself as an inside force.

Coach’s Quote: “We are playing tough competition early to harden our team, so we can push into January and February for the playoffs.”                   – Matt Kammrath

SLEEPY HOLLOW

Last year’s record: 5-16

Top returning players: Saeed Alonzo, Isaiah Burgess, Joshua Kearse, Luke McCarthy, Manny Perez, Julian Stoll, Dan Williams.

Key to success: This team must find ways to win close games it lost last year.

Coach’s Quote: “My expectation is always very high that these guys are becoming better people as well as better basketball players.”
– Chris Starace