High School Boys Basketball Preview: Monroe County Division IV

Greece Odyssey returns five players from last year’s squad which won the first sectional in program history. (Photo: PAUL GOTHAM/PICKIN’ SPLINTERS)

Monroe County Division IV

BATAVIA BLUE DEVILS

Last season: Finished 14-7 and lost to Honeoye Falls-Lima in the Class A2 quarterfinals.

Coach: Buddy Brassy (29th season)

Top returners: Mason McFollins Sr. G (13 points per game), Andrew Francis Sr. G, Joe Martinucci Sr. C

Top newcomers: Luke Grammatico Jr. G, Jake Humes Jr. C/F and Camden White Jr. C.

First game: Tuesday, December 4th vs. Newark.

Outlook: Batavia had a rough off-season losing four key players to injuries and suspensions. The team will be young and tested early with games against Newark, HF-L, Greece Athena, Pittsford Sutherland and Greece Odyssey. The Blue Devils move to Class B and look to be ready to make a run in sectionals.

Eastridge’s Tony Arnold averaged 22 points per game last season. (Photo: DAVE YATES)

EASTRIDGE LANCERS

Last season: Finished 12-9, lost in the first round to Mendon

Coach: Dan Roser (seventh year)

Next game: Friday, December 7th vs. Vertus.

Top returners: Tony Arnold (Jr. Guard – averaged 22 points per game as a sophomore), Jalen Hannah (Jr. Point Guard), Terrence Reid (Sr. Guard), Adrian Rodgers (Sr. Shooting Guard), Jaden Keech (Sr. Forward), Jordan Capers (Sr. Guard)

Top newcomers: Jahmel Demery (Sr. Forward – transfer from Vertus), Jalan Young (Jr. Point Guard)

Outlook: Eastridge has a very deep team with returning starters and key players that will contribute big on the court. Will Eastridge build upon last year’s season and make a deeper run in sectionals?

GREECE ODYSSEY LEOPARDS

Last season: Finished 17-8, won the Class B title and advanced to the NYS Far West Regionals.

Coach: Jim Guzielek (37-32/fourth season)

Next game: Dec. 5 at Alexander

Top returners: Travon Harper (Sr. Point Guard – averaged ten points, four rebounds, and six assists per game; landed on the Class B Sectional All-Tournament team), Aric Williams (Sr. Center – averaged 6.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game; earned the Class B Sectional Sportsmanship award), Jaden Hartsfield (Jr. Guard/Forward – Class B Sectional Tournament MVP; averaged 13.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists per game), Romell Griffin (Sr. Guard – averaged 4.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game; part of the Class B Sectional All-Tournament team), Ray Colbert (Sr. Guard – averaged 4.9 points and 3.2 assists per game)

Top newcomers: Dylan Kolmetz (Jr. Center/Forward), Korey Canton (Jr. Guard), Preston Mathis (Jr. Guard/Forward)

Outlook: Odyssey is coming off its first sectional title in program history, returning all but three players. Adding to the already deep and experienced squad are three newcomers that will play key minutes. Is Odyssey prepared for another successful season?

GREECE OLYMPIA SPARTANS

Last season: Finished 3-18, lost in the first round to Penn Yan

Coach: Joey Tisa (11-71/fifth season)

Next game: Friday, December 14th vs. Eastridge.

Top returners: Jeff Jung Jr. (Sr. Guard – averaged 14.95 points and 5.66 rebounds per game with four double-doubles; Second Team All-County), Kris Perez (Sr. Guard – 5.85 points per game), Samuel Wright IV (Jr. – averaged 6.38 points per game), Wesley Elmore Jr. (Sr. – averaged 4.76 points and 7.5 rebounds per game), Tre Sharpton-Clark (Jr. – averaged 3.19 assists per game)

Top newcomers: Collin James (So. Forward – transfer from Gates-Chili), Darnell Williams (So. Guard – averaged 25.2 points per game for JV), Ehnoc Tossah (Jr. Guard/Forward – averaged ten points per game for JV), Makyle Murdock (Jr. Guard)

Outlook: The Spartans are looking to build off their 62 points per game last season with an even more explosive offense. With valuable returners and young talent, can Olympia become a threat within the division?

HONEOYE FALLS-LIMA COUGARS

Last season: Finished 15-8, lost in the A2 semifinals after taking the Monroe County Division IV title

Coach: Kevin Neenan (187-142/17th year)

Next game: Dec. 5 at Geneva

Top returners: Trevor Chamberlain (6-foot Sr. Point Guard – averaged 7.5 points, four rebounds, and three assists per game), Jack Emerson (5-foot-10 Sr. Guard), Turner Wilson (6-foot-2 Jr. Forward – averaged three points and three rebounds per game)

Top newcomers: Hayden Smith (6-foot-2 Jr. Guard), Patrick Lustyk (6-foot-2 So. Guard/Forward), Josh Vogt (6-foot So. Guard), Mitch Slymon (5-foot-10 Jr. Guard), Derek Childs (6-foot-4 Sr. Forward), Turner Kamm (6-foot-3 Jr. Forward), Sam Tyrdik (6-foot-5 Jr. Forward), Andrew Webster (5-foot-11 Sr. Guard), Jake Easton (5-foot-9 Jr. Guard), Rishylum Hinds (5-foot-9 Sr. Guard)

Outlook: HF-L lost nine seniors to graduation, returning only three from last year’s Division IV championship team. The squad will be more inexperienced and younger this year, but the Cougars have guys that have the ability to run the floor and score in different ways. Will HF-L fill the shoes of the lost seniors and remain at the top of Division IV?

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