PRIVATE-INDEPENDENT

AQUINAS L’IL IRISH (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 25-4 NYS Class AA Champions/Federation finalists.

Coach: John McCauley (First year/spent previous four seasons as JV coach).

Top returners:  Jalen Pickett 6’3″ G/F (14 ppg, 7 rpg, 5 apg, 2 spg, 2 bpg), Jason Hawkes 6’6″ F (13 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg), Graycen Carter 6’4″ F, Marc DiGirolamo 6’0 G, Sincere Alston 6’5″ F.

Top newcomers: Eric Carter 6’0 G, Luke Putnam 6’2″ G/F.

Outlook: Aquinas assisted on 65 percent of their made field goals last season, a trend this year’s team will certainly look to continue. Losing Coach Mike Grosodonia along with six senior contributors from last year’s team will be a tall task to replace. The excellent coaching and experience the seniors brought to the team was a real calming effect throughout a season that ended with a 25-4 record, season sportsmanship award, state championship, and federation championship appearance. Pickett and Hawkes will be counted on to lead the way for what will still be a talented and tough, but young Aquinas team under the new leadership of new head coach John McCauley, who spent the previous four seasons as the JV head coach and Varsity assistant coach.

“We win if we play the game the right way: Share the basketball. Defend as a unit. Trust each other. Play aggressive intelligent basketball for four quarters.”

First game: Canisius/December 9th. SEASON SCHEDULE

BISHOP KEARNEY KINGS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 16-6 and lost to Fairport, 46-44 in the Class AA semi-finals.

Coach: Kevin Goode (fourth year/42-22 overall).

Top returners: Nahziah Carter G/F (13 ppg, 4 rpg), Shykell Brown PG (4 ppg, 2.5 rpg).

Top newcomers:  Patrick Thomas F (Leading scorer and rebounder on JV – very physical/athletic), Jamal Fennell F (Good defender/can consistently make the 15 footer) and Kevin Goode Jr. PG (Able to shoot over the zone).

“Our biggest challenge to overcome this season will be get into the sectional finals.”

“The most important teachable moment we can take from last year is to have trust in self and each other.”

“We win if we play together and outwork others.”

Next game: Nottingham/December 6th. SEASON SCHEDULE

ROCHESTER CAREER MENTORING CHARTER SCHOOL (RCMCS) (Class C3).

Last season: Finished 10-10 and lost to Mynderse, 73-53 in the B2 quarter-finals.

Coach: Brandon McCoy (second year/10-10).

Top returners: Jhyte Griffin F (12 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg) and Cameron Jones G (6 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg).

Top newcomers: Maurice Reed G 5’8″ 150lbs, Jayson Robinson C 6’6″ 170lbs.

Outlook: RCMCS is a young team, but focused and determined to get back to the sectional championship (lost to Lyons in the 2015 C3 championship). Will be looking to their seniors for leadership.

“Our biggest challenge to overcome this season will be replacing a two-time AGR honorable mention guard Amos Williams and forward Rasheem Peterson. Lost four veteran seniors, who brought great leadership throughout the years.”

“The most important teachable moment we can take from last year is to stay together as a team and fight through adversity.”

“We win if we win in the classroom!”

Next game: Northstar Christian/December 6th SEASON SCHEDULE

UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL FOR YOUNG MEN (UPrep)(Class AA)

Last season: Finished 14-7 and lost to eventual champion Batavia, 52-51 in the A2 semi-finals.

Coach: James Reaves (JV head coach at UPREP last two years/36-3).

Top returners: Jeenathan Williams (6’6″ small forward) and James Barnes (6’4″ point guard).

Top newcomers: Jabez Thomas (6’8″ power forward) and Cassius Williams (6’0 point guard).

“Our biggest challenge to overcome this season will be playing together.”

“The most important teachable moment we can take from last year is every second matters.”

“We win if our team buys into our defensive philosophy and plays together.”

Next game: Newark/December 6th. SEASON SCHEDULE

C.G. FINNEY (Class D1)

Last season: Finished 18-8 and claimed the Class D1 championship. Fell to Panama (VI), 70-57 in the Far West regional.

Next game: Lima Christian/December 9th SEASON SCHEDULE

LIMA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Class D1)

Last season: Finished 15-10 and Class D2 champions. Lost to C.G. Finney, 54-49 in state qualifier.

Next game: Hinsdale/December 6th. SEASON SCHEDULE

NORTH STAR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Class C1)

Last season: Finished 23-2, won the C2 title before falling to Early College, 55-52.

First game: RCMCS/December 6th. SEASON SCHEDULE

ROCHESTER ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL (Class C2)

Last season: Finished 5-14 and fell to Perry, 72-54 in the first round of Class C2.

Next game: East Rochester/December 5th. SEASON SCHEDULE

ROCHESTER PREP CHARTER SCHOOL (Class D1)

Next game: Wheatland-Chili/December 5th. SEASON  SCHEDULE

VERTUS CHARTER SCHOOL (Class C1)

Last season: Finished 5-7 and lost to Mount Morris, 78-46 in the D1 opening round.

Next game: Geneva/December 7th. SEASON SCHEDULE

WELLSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL (Class B)

Last season: Finished 21-5 and Class B champions. Lost to Olean (VI), 54-30 in the Far West regional.

Next game: Penn Yan/December 7th SEASON SCHEDULE

***Quotes included by individual coaches.