High School Boys Basketball Preview: Monroe County Division II

Monroe County Division II

CANANDAIGUA BRAVES (Class A1)

Last season: Finished 11-11, lost to Pittsford Sutherland with the second round of sectionals

Coach: Charles DeTaeye (11-11/second year)

Top returners: Chris Kurowski (Sr. Guard), Andrew Boseck (Sr. Forward), Joey Brinza (Sr. Guard), Mitch Pfeiffer (Sr. Guard)

Top newcomers: Ryan Welch (Jr. Center), Casey Herod (Jr. Guard), Joey Urlacher (Jr. Forward), Luke Pawlicki (Jr. Guard), Cody Aikey (So. Forward/Center)

First game: Thursday, November 29th against Newark.

Outlook: The Braves are entering the 2018-19 season in a new league with a group of young talent. Can Canandaigua come together quickly to make noise in Division II?

CHURCHVILLE CHILI SAINTS (Class A1)

Last season: Finished 7-13

Coach: Tim Miller (tenth year)

Top returners: Marcus Postell (Jr. – averaged 11 points and six rebounds per game as a sophomore), Marcellus James (Sr. – averaged ten points per game last season), Griffen Stella (Jr. – averaged eight points per game)

Top newcomers: Kamerin Poromon (Jr. Guard), John Keele (Jr. Guard)

First game: Wednesday, December 5th against Greece Arcadia.

Outlook: The Saints are returning talent at guard with three experienced seniors to fill the spot. Alongside them, the younger guys also have varsity minutes to build off of. With more veteran leadership, will Churchville Chili improve from last season?

GATES CHILI SPARTANS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 15-7, lost to UPREP in the Class AA quarterfinals

Coach: Terry Nowden (15-7/second year)

Top returners: Keith Slack (Sr. Point guard – averaged 23 points per game), Traylan McCray (Sr. Guard – averaged 3.2 steal per game), Devin Walton (Jr. Guard), Adam Williams (So. Guard/Forward)

Top newcomers: Andrew Newcombe (So. Forward), Turner Harris (Fr. Guard)

First game: Tuesday, December 4th against Rush-Henrietta.

Outlook: In 2017, under a first-year head coach, the Spartans made their way to quarterfinals and a 15-7 record. Will the more-experienced leadership on the sideline and on the court help the squad put together another successful season?

VIEW MORE CHRIS CECERE PHOTOS HERE. 

IRONDEQUOIT EAGLES (Class A1)

Last season: Finished 22-4, lost in the NYSPHAA Class A Semifinals after taking the Monroe County Division II and Class A1 titles.

Coach: Chris Cardon (439-257/32nd year)

Top returners: Freddie June (Sr. Guard – averaged 8.7 points per game and 3.6 rebounds per game; awarded First Team All-County honors as a junior), Josh Stenglein (Sr. Guard – averaged 8.9 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game; earned First Team All-County honors in 2017-18), Patrick Thomas (Sr. Forward – averaged 12.8 points, 1.2 assists, and 6.4 rebounds per game), Kenny Gonzalez (Sr. Forward – averaged 2.0 points per game and 1.5 rebounds per game), Luke Melidona (Jr. Guard – averaged 1.7 assists and 1.5 rebounds as a sophomore)

Top newcomers: Keenan Robertson (So. Forward – leading scorer for Irondequoit’s JV team as a sophomore), Connor Shafer (Jr. Guard – Irondequoit JV’s second-leading scorer)

First game: Friday, December 7th at Spencerport.

Outlook: The Eagles showed New York they know how to win in Monroe County, Section V and beyond. Those same Eagles are suiting up again as experienced seniors. Alongside them are high-scoring newcomers. Will Irondequoit etch its name at the top for a third consecutive season?

SPENCERPORT RANGERS (Class A1)

Last season: Finished 8-13, lost to the eventual, A1 champions in quarterfinals.

Coach: Rich Vleck (first year as head coach)

Top returners: Gino Pellett (Jr. Guard), Ben Reding (Jr. Guard), Nick Thibeau (Sr. Forward)

Top newcomers: Mike Contestabile (Jr. Guard), Jon Taylor (Jr. Forward), Patrick Uebelacker (So. Forward)

First game: Friday, November 30th against Webster Schroeder.

Outlook: The Rangers lost seven core seniors from last year’s roster, expecting a rebuilding season. The returners will provide the offensive threat, while the newcomers will secure the defense. Will they come together on both sides of the ball and surprise opponents in Monroe County?

WEBSTER THOMAS TITANS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 12-9, lost to cross-town rivals Webster Schroeder in the first round

Coach: Griffin Coles (43-57/sixth year)

Top returners: Andrew Mason (Jr. Guard – averaged 18.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game), Stephen Katz (Sr. Center), Garrett Reeves (Sr. Guard), Dannie Palmer (Jr. Guard – averaged 5.1 points per game)

Top newcomers: Brendan Connolly (Jr. Forward), Tyler Williams (So. Guard)

First game: Friday, November 30th vs. NE Douglass at Eastridge.

Outlook: Two seniors are joined by young guys for the 2018-19 season. Will the Titans mesh quickly and become a force in the division?