By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — One program is looking to recapture its championship form of years past. The other will wear the moniker of returning champ.
Both East High and McQuaid Jesuit were recognized as top boys’ teams in the Rochester City Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll.
“At the beginning of the season you kinda have a feeling about what you have and what the group can do,” said Jack Leasure whose McQuaid Jesuit Knights won the 2018 Section V Class AA title and the NYS Far West Regional before falling in the state semifinals. “At some point throughout the year all your emphasis goes toward that postseason, but the regular season is so important as far as just figuring out how to come together and how to get the most out of your group. That’s the biggest focus right now.”
After opening with four losses in their first seven outings, McQuaid won 13 of 14 games and advanced to the NYS semifinals for the first time in more than a decade.
“Hopefully, we can make sure that the team and the staff understands that it’s different after you’ve won and everyone treats that game with you a little bit differently,” the sixth-year coach said. “Being a team that struggled a little bit and then figured it out last year, I think the kids understand how hard it is.”
East’s 24 titles rank first all-time in Section V boys’ basketball history. Thirteen of those championships have come since 1975 including the 2014 squad which advanced to the NYS Class A finals before falling to Scotia-Glenville of Section II.
A year ago, Darrell Barley’s squad finished 7-14 and bowed out in the A2 quarterfinals.
Seniors Chaz Washington (18.5 PPG) and Maurice Coney III (10.1) return from last season’s team with one goal in mind.
“They want to win a sectional before they leave East High School,” said Barley. “It’s their last chance. I think they kinda feel the pressure.”
Coney and Washington will be joined by transfers Dyllon Scott (Penfield) and Zach Harris Scott (UPrep). The cousins will help the Eagles which were the unanimous pick to win the RCAC’s Lower Division.
“All those guys know how to play basketball,” the 17th-year coach said. “They know how to pass and cut, get to the open spot. They understand the ins and outs of basketball, so they know how to play as a team.”
East will face stiff competition within their division from NE Douglass, Monroe and School of the Arts. The Panthers, an A2 finalist a year ago, return Jiahmere Mitchell (911 career) points as well Adonis Flagler (12.4 PPG) and Lamar Lovelace (8.9 PPG). Tyquil Glasgow (12.6 PPG) and Devante Mateo (11.2 PPG) paced Monroe’s offense. Ethain Clarke De Souza (19.4 PPG) and Reggie Smith (13.7 PPG) combined to lead SOTA as freshmen.
McQuaid will have to replace its starting backcourt from a year ago of Anthony Iglesia (13.4 PPG) and Josh Purcell. Junior Kobe Long (14.0 PPG), coming off an impressive offseason playing for City Rocks AAU and in the BCANY Tournament, will step into the role as primary ball handler for McQuaid.
“Kobe has really worked hard and gotten better,” Leasure said. “He’s been playing that position well for us so far in the preseason. The things we’re going to miss from last year’s seniors are at the forefront of the coaching staff and the team’s mind.”
Fellow junior Jermaine Taggart (16.3 PPG/5.6 RPG) will return to the Jesuit Knights’ starting lineup along with big man Connor Zamiara (9.5 PPG/8.0 RPG).
McQuaid received four first-place votes in the poll. Leadership Academy and Wilson Magnet earned three first-place votes apiece. Wilson’s Robert Davis returns as the RCAC’s career active scoring leader with 1,227 points. The senior guard is joined in the lineup by Desi Floyd (12.5 PPG) and Brennan Clark (14.6).
Leadership’s Rondell Watson averaged 21.8 points per game last season including a 52-point performance against Wilson. Alton Knight scored 12.1 per game for Edison Tech last year. The Inventors knocked off Bishop Kearney in the Class AA opening round before falling to Fairport. Edison also received one first-place vote.
Wilson Magnet opens the season when the Wildcats travel to Pittsford Sutherland on Wednesday, November 28th for a scheduled 6:45 PM tipoff. Monroe takes the court a day later at Victor. There will be three league games on Friday, November 30th: World of Inquiry vs. School of the Arts at School N0. 33, Leadership at Franklin and Edison at McQuaid. NE Douglass will also play in the Al Masino Memorial Tournament at Eastridge High School the weekend of November 30th.
| 2018 RCAC | PRESEASON COACHES POLL |
| UPPER DIVISION | |
| 1. | McQuaid Jesuit (4) |
| 2. | Leadership Academy (3) |
| 3. | Wilson Magnet (3) |
| 4. | Edison Tech (1) |
| 5. | Franklin |
| LOWER DIVISION | |
| 1. | East High (11) |
| 2. | NE Douglass |
| 3. | Monroe |
| 4. | School of the Arts |
| 5. | World of Inquiry |
| 6. | Early College |
| Number in parentheses | |
| indicates first-place votes. |
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