MONROE COUNTY Division 1

FAIRPORT RED RAIDERS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 18-4 and lost to Aquinas, 47-43 in the AA final.

Coach: Scott Fitch (career record 250-75)

Top returners: Dan Masino (17 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.5 apg), Stephen Gabel (6 ppg), Matt Muncey  (7 ppg, 6 rpg), Cam Keeley (7 ppg), Ryan Algier (6 ppg), TJ Hendricks, Jordan Holmes and Tommy Farina.

Top newcomers: Jackson Sullivan (6’4” 250),  Andrew Bartlett (5’9” 160), Tommy Lindstrom  (6’ 150) and Brennan O’Connor  (6’1” 155).

Outlook: Fairport is hungry and hopes to be able to compete well with everyone and return to the AA finals for the fourth straight season. Fairport’s biggest challenge will be to keep improving throughout the year.

“We win if team chemistry stays strong and defensively we find our identity.”

First game: Victor/December 3rd. SEASON SCHEDULE

GATES CHILI SPARTANS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 5-16 and lost to Penfield, 74-61 in the Class AA opening round.

Coach: Chris Amesbury (fifth year)

Top returners: Zac Cowell Sr. F Keith Slack So. G.

Top newcomers: Damon Payton 5’11” G, Meech Allen 5’11” F, Damon Austin 6’ G, Mark Morrison 5’10” G.

Gates Chili’s biggest challenge will be overcoming a lack of game experience at the varsity level. Having only two returning starters and a new group of players will make cohesion a priority.

First game: Greece Arcadia/December 7th. SEASON SCHEDULE

HILTON CADETS (CLASS AA)

Last season: Finished 5-16 (tied for second in the league) and lost to Bishop Kearney, 88-57 in the opening round of Class AA.

Coach: Troy Prince (13th year/124-117 overall)

Top returners: Johnathan Letta Sr. PG (15 ppg, 3 ½ year starter) Joey Lipani Jr. G Christian Ranke Sr. F

Top newcomers: Tah-Jae Hill, 6’1 Fr. G (played last four games last year on varsity), Mitchell Carr 6’2” So. F Noah Malta 5’10” So. G Morgan Kunigan 6’1” Jr. F Connor Mistretta 6’1” Sr. F and Ian Schwartzmeier 6’1” Jr. F

Outlook: Hilton should be much improved offensively because Hill, who is already on the radar of major colleges, is hard to contain off the dribble. He will make Letta and Lipani more dangerous shooting and driving. Should be right in the mix in our league after Fairport (clear favorite). Victor should be improved. Penfield/Gates/Rush all will compete nightly.

“Our biggest challenge to overcome this season will be our lack of size. We need to block out every trip and team rebound.”

First game: Batavia/December 7th. SEASON SCHEDULE

PENFIELD PATRIOTS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 15-7 and lost to Bishop Kearney, 109-56 in the Class AA quarter-finals.

Coach: Jason Ellis (second year at Penfield/ fourth overall as head coach at the varsity level).

Top returners: Isaiah Preston G (10 ppg).

Top newcomers: Mirza Mesic G/F (6’3″ 200) Bryson Scott G/F (6’3″ 185″)

Outlook: Penfield will be a young team this year. The Patriots graduated eight (five who played good minutes). They will have two Seniors and three returning players (one with good experience). This year will be evaluated on a learning curve for a Penfield team needing to gel and come together.

“Our biggest challenge to overcome this season will be the lack of varsity experience.”

“The most important teachable moment we can take from last year is that communication will ultimately keep us competitive. The more we talk the quicker we will develop.”

“We win if we do the little things right and continue to grow from our struggles.”

First game: Eastridge/December 7th. SEASON SCHEDULE

RUSH-HENRIETTA COMETS (Class AA)

Last year: Finished 14-8 and lost to Aquinas, 70-44 in the AA quarter-finals.

Coach: Chris Reed (350-191/25th year).

Top returners: Justen Polk Sr. G, Chris Reed Sr. F, Eric Black Sr. F, Wendell Felder Sr. G, Tyler Ihrig Sr. F.

Top newcomers: Kailee White Jr. G, Mecca McCulough, Matt Zarzycki Jr. G/F

Rush-Henrietta’s biggest challenge this season will be overcoming a very difficult schedule which includes a non-league matchup with Bishop Kearney.

“If we stay together and positive, we can be successful.”

First game: Penfield/December 9th. SEASON SCHEDULE

VICTOR BLUE DEVILS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 10-11 and lost to McQuaid, 50-47 in first round of Class AA sectionals.

Coach: Kevin Downey (fourth year).

Top returners: Jacob DiSanto Sr. G (15 ppg, 2 apg), Clay Bleier Sr G/F (11 ppg, 3 apg, 4.5 rpg), Mike Novitsky Jr. C (11 ppg, 8 rpg), Jackson Parker Sr PG (4 ppg, 4 apg), Brandon Fink Sr G (3 ppg, 2 rpg), Connor Keenan Jr G/F  (3 ppg, 2 rpg) and James Caggiano Sr (1 ppg, 2 rpg).

Top newcomers:  Tanner Hay Jr. 6’5” 200lbs,  Joey Colyer Jr. 6’0” 175lbs and Blake Hildman Sr 6’3” 205lbs.

“We win if we are hard to score on and we have ball and player movement on offense. We win if we play with a passion for TEAM basketball.”

First game: Churchville-Chili/December 2nd. SEASON SCHEDULE