Rush-Henrietta’s Kailee White scored 17 points per game as junior while grabbing seven rebounds and handing out five assists.
(Photo: CHRISTOPHER CECERE)

Monroe County Division I

FAIRPORT RED RAIDERS

Last season: Finished 24-2 and advanced to the NYSPHSAA Class AA final.

Coach: Scott Fitch/17th season (274 – 77).

Top returners: Jackson Sullivan Sr. F, Andrew Bartlett Sr. G, Tommy Lindstrom Sr. G, Brennan O’Connor Sr. G, Anthony Pappano Sr. F and Michael Brown Sr. F.

Top newcomers: Andre Starks Jr. G 5-foot-7, 140 lbs, Vanzell Johnson Jr. G 6-foot 150 lbs, Brett Heininger Jr. G 6-foot-2, 170 lbs, Ryan Lucey So. G/F 6-foot-4, 180 lbs and Stefan Milinkovic So. F 6-foot-5, 180 lbs.

First game: Friday, December 1^st vs. Victor.

Outlook: Faiport has a lot of question marks entering the season. After making a run to the state finals with seniors playing a majority of consequential minutes, the Red Raiders now face the challenge of being inexperienced. This year’s senior class practiced with and against championship-level teammates every day. Can that apply to the game floor? Fitch is excited about this year’s chemistry and positive energy. Can Fairport compete on the defensive end and shoot it well from the perimeter?

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GATES-CHILI SPARTANS

Last season: Finished 7-14 and lost to Bishop Kearney, 94-72 in the Class AA first round.

Coach: Terry Nowden/first season.

Top returners: Keith Slack Jr. G (16.0 PPG/second-team All-County selection) and Damon Payton Sr. G (13 PPG).

Top newcomers: Thomas Jones Sr. G/F 6-foot-4, 190 lbs and Adam Williams Fr. G/F 6-foot-2 175 lbs.

First game: Wednesday, December 6^th vs. Monroe.

Outlook: With nine seniors in the lineup, Gates-Chili has an experienced group. Jones, a transfer from McQuaid, gives the Spartans an inside presence. Slack possesses the ability to take over a game. G-C has the talent to control tempo and rebound the ball. If they do that consistently, expect their number of wins to increase this season.

Keith Slack (3) led Gates-Chili as a sophomore with 16 points per game. (Photo: CHRISTOPHER CECERE).

HILTON CADETS

Last season: Finished 9-12 and lost to Edison 79-58 in Class AA first round.

Coach: Troy Prince/14th season (134-129).

Top returners: Tahjae Hill So. G 6-foot-1, Joey Lipani Sr. G 5-foot-10, Noah Malta Jr. G 5-foot-10, Mitchell Carr Jr. F 6-foot-2 and Morgan Kunigan Sr. F 6-foot-2.

Top newcomers: Colin Burkis So. G 5-foot-10, Jason Iorio So. C 6-foot-3, Nick Walsh Sr. C 6-foot-4, Jack Gombatto Jr. G 5-foot-1o and Joey Gombatto Jr. G 5-foot-10.

First game: Friday, December 8th vs. Fairport.

Outlook: Hilton returns a few experienced guys, but they have struggled with injuries during the preseason. The Cadets can be very competitive if they get everyone back and do the little things needed to be disciplined and successful. Hill is one the best players in the area. Malta is improved shooting. Lipani has that “I’m a senior; it’s my turn mentality and toughness.” Carr is very versatile. Can the Cadets defend on a nightly basis? Playing together and knocking down open looks will be the difference for Hilton.

Tahjae Hill is one of five key returners to the Hilton Cadets lineup along with Joey Lipani, Noah Malta, Mitchell Carr and Morgan Kunigan. (Photo: RON KALASINKAS)

PENFIELD PATRIOTS

Last season: Finished 9-11 and lost to McQuaid, 68-58 in the opening round of the Class AA sectionals.

Coach: Jason Ellis/ third season (25-18).

Top returners: Isaiah Preston Sr. G (2nd Team All County) and Bryson Scott Sr. F (2nd Team All County).

Top newcomers: Dyllon Scott So. F 6-foot-4.

First game: Friday, December 1st at Aquinas.

Outlook: Penfield is returning both talent and experience. The pieces exist. Can the Patriots put together the puzzle? Penfield’s biggest challenge may be channelling its emotions, which they wear on their sleeves. If they can harness that emotion and use it as fuel, the Patriots outlook is positive. Penfield is looking for its first title (league or sectional) of any kind in program history.

RUSH-HENRIETTA ROYAL COMETS

Last season: Finished 14-8 and lost to UPrep, 62-39 in the Class AA quarterfinals.

Coach: Chris Reed/26th season – 18th at RH (365-199 overall).

Top Returners: Kailee White Sr. PG 6-foot- 3 (17 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 5.0 assists), Mecca McCullough Sr. G 6-foot (13 PPG), Shamire Broyld Jr. F 6-foot-5 (8.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG) and Matt Zarzycki Sr. G/F 6-foot-3.

Top newcomer: Malek Williams Sr. G/F 6-foot-3.

First game: Friday, December 1st at Churchville-Chili.

Outlook: With Broyld, White and McCullough leading the way, R-H could challenge for the league title. But it will take the Royal Comets coming together as a unit to meet their potential. This group learned first hand the difficulty of competing in Division I and Section V Class AA. Can the Royal Comets apply that experience to this year?

VICTOR BLUE DEVILS

Last season: Finished 15-6 and lost to McQuaid, 58-49 in Class AA quarter-finals.

Coach: Tyler Roberts/first year.

Top returner: Connor Keenan Sr. G (5.0 PPG,4.0 RPG, 2.0 assists).

Top newcomers: Matt Caggiano So. 5-foot-8 145 lbs, Jeremy Summerson Jr. G 6-foot-2, 170 lbs and Jon Crowley Jr. G 6-foot-1 210 lbs.

First game: Friday, December 1st vs. Fairport.

Outlook: After earning a No. 2 seed in Section V Class AA, Victor is reloading under first-year coach, Roberts. The Blue Devils will get an early test when they welcome reigning Class AA champ, Fairport, in the opener.

*Updated with correct career record for Chris Reed.