Five of the six Monroe County Division III teams open their seasons Wednesday night. By the end of the week, all six will have started their campaigns. Here are the preseason breakdowns for each squad:
BRIGHTON BARONS (Class A1)
Last season: 5-16, lost in Class A1 sectional quarterfinals to Greece Athena
Coach: David Tisa (Eighth season, third at Brighton)
Top returners: Matt Falter (Sr. Guard) 12 PPG; Nathan Martin (Jr. Guard) 4 APG; Lukas Stanat (Sr. Guard/Forward)
Top newcomers: Aidan Lazenby (Jr. Forward); Tyler Ortiz (Jr. Forward); Sam Tourangeau (Jr. Guard)
First game: Wednesday, December 4th, at 7 p.m. at Pittsford Sutherland
Outlook: Brighton returns two starters, including its leading scorer. Lukas Stanat will be a primary option within the offense. The Barons also have many different lineup options with players moving up from a junior varsity squad that sported a 16-2 record last season.
BROCKPORT BLUE DEVILS (Class A1)
Last season: 11-11, lost in Class A1 sectional quarterfinals to Irondequoit
Coach: Thomas Velletri (11-11, Second season)
Top returners: Shamar Lee (Sr. Guard/Forward); Sam Velletri (Sr. Guard) All-County Second Team
Top newcomers: Jared Prior (Jr. Forward)
First game: Wednesday, December 4th, at 7:15 p.m. vs. Greece Athena
Outlook: The Blue Devils will look for early success as three of their first four games are against divisional opponents (Greece Arcadia, Greece Athena and Pittsford Sutherland)
GREECE ARCADIA TITANS (Class A1)
Last season: 1-20, lost in first round of Class A1 sectionals to Churchville-Chili
Coach: Zachary Keller (1-20, Second season)
Top returners: Jerell Robinson (Sr. Guard); Anthony Stephenson (Jr. Guard/Forward)
Top newcomers: David Gucker (Jr. Forward/Center)
First game: Wednesday, December 4th at 7:30 p.m. at Wayne
Outlook: As the Titans look to overcome last season’s struggles and have a bounce back season, their early season success will depend largely upon senior leadership and strong play from the sophomores and juniors.
GREECE ATHENA TROJANS (Class A1)
Last season: 19-4, lost in Class A1 sectional final to Pittsford Mendon
Coach: Michael Setzer (58-11, Fourth season)
Top returners: Austin Brown (Jr. Forward); Jake Cerone (Sr. Guard); Tyler Curtis (Sr. Guard); DeAndre Newsome (Sr. Guard) All-County Second Team; Terell Wilson (So. Forward)
Top newcomers: Kenny Freeman (Jr. Forward); Jahon Jones (So. Guard)
First game: Wednesday, December 4th, at 7:15 p.m. at Brockport
Outlook: The Trojans lost four of their five starters and top two leading scorers from last season. Greece Athena will hand the keys to the offense over to senior point guard DeAndre Newsome. Along with seniors Jake Cerone and Tyler Curtis, the Trojans will receive help from players moving up from a junior varsity squad that sported a 17-2 record last season.
PITTSFORD MENDON VIKINGS (Class A1)
Last season: 26-1, lost in the NYSPHSAA A final to Poughkeepsie (I)
Coach: Robert Nally (64-28, Fifth season)
Top returners: Caleb Arena (Sr. Forward) 3 PPG, 3 RPG; Jacob Shadders (Jr. Guard) 14 PPG, 5 APG, 4 RPG, All-County First Team, All-Greater Rochester Second Team, All-State Honorable Mention; Nate Strauf (Sr. Forward) 7 PPG, 5 RPG
Top newcomers: Jackson Green (Fr. Guard); Kidder Lindley (So. Guard)
First game: Friday, December 6th at 7:15 p.m. vs. Greece Athena
Outlook: The Vikings return a pair of starters in Jacob Shadders and Nate Strauf, both of whom are in their third year of varsity. Robert Nally’s squad will be looking to fill some spots with returning seniors and young talent.
PITTSFORD SUTHERLAND KNIGHTS (Class A2)
Last season: 16-9, lost in NYS A regional qualifiers to Pittsford Mendon
Coach: John Nally (266-166, 20th Season)
Top returners: Ben DiGiovanni (Sr. Guard) 10 PPG, 5 APG, Sectionals All-Tournament Team; Owen Flisnik (Sr. Guard/Forward)
First game: Wednesday, December 4th, at 7 p.m. vs. Brighton
Outlook: The Knights will use their size to their advantage as 11 of their 14 players are 5’10 or taller. Pittsford Sutherland will still be a perimeter-oriented team with the graduation of leading scorer, Kevin Ryan.
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