Spencerport and Churchville-Chili already opened their seasons with non-league games. League play gets going Friday, December 13 when Irondequoit travels to Gates-Chili and Canandaigua visits Webster Thomas. Here are the Monroe County Division II team capsules:
CANANDAIGUA BRAVES (Class A1)
Last season: Finished 1-20 and lost to Brockport in the Class A1 opening round.
Coach: Charles DeTaeye (12-31/third season)
Top returners: Ryan Welch (Sr. – averaged 13 points and eight rebounds), Casey Herod (Sr. – averaged 6.6 points and four assists), Luke Pawlicki (Sr.), Cody Aikey (Jr.), Joe Urlacher (Sr.), Hunter Wyand (Sr.).
Top newcomers: Derek Andrews (So.), Nick Ferris (So.), Seth Barone (So.), Bryan Boldrin (So.) and JC Clifford (Sr.)
First game: Thursday, December 5 vs. Victor in the Finger Lakes Tip Off Tournament
Outlook: The young team will rely on senior leadership and first-year players meshing. With all players working together, can the Braves
CHURCHVILLE-CHILI SAINTS (Class A1)
Last season: Finished 11-11, lost to Eastridge in the A1 quarterfinals.
Coach: Tim Miller (11th season)
Top returners: Griffin Stella (Sr. – averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game last year), Marcus Postell (Sr. – averaged 12 points and seven rebounds per game), Kamerin Poromon (Sr. – averaged 8.2 points per game), John Bagley (Sr. – played in all 22 games last season)
Top newcomers: Collin Cantrell (Sr. Guard), Jason Gibbs (Fr. Guard)
Next game: Friday, December 6 vs. Webster Thomas in Eastridge’s Al Masino Memorial Tournament.
Outlook: Churchville-Chili returns six of its top players from an 11-11 squad that had the potential to move on further than they did. The senior-heavy team plays a tough schedule through the regular season. Will it prepare the Saints for an exciting sectional run?
GATES-CHILI SPARTANS (Class AA)
Last season: Finished 18-4, lost to McQuaid in the Class AA semifinals.
Coach: Jeffrey LaFave (First year at the varsity level)
Top returners: Adam Williams (Jr.) and Devon Walton (Sr. – Guard)
Top newcomers: Spencer Glenn (6-foot-6 Jr.)
First game: Friday, December 13 at Wilson
IRONDEQUOIT EAGLES (Class A1)
Last season: Finished 14-7, lost in the A1 semifinals.
Coach: Chris Cardon (453-254/34th season)
Top returners: Luke Melidona (6-foot-1 Sr. G – averaged 5.2 points and four assists per game), Nick Leonardo (Sr. G), Connor Shafer (6-foot-4 Sr. – averaged 3.3 points per game as the seventh man last season), Keenan Robertson (6-foot-5 Jr. F – averaged 12.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, Second Team All-County), Amauri Smith (Sr. F).
Top newcomers: Jaleel Davis (Jr. G – 14.3 points, 4.5 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals per game on JV last season), Rowan McGwin (6-foot-6 Jr. C – 15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds on JV), Paris Holmes (Sr. G), Jordan Kimble (Sr. F), Jason Jacobs Jr. (G)
First game: Friday, December 6 vs. Monroe.
Outlook: Between the mix of excellent returners and young players with a lot of promise, Coach Chris Cardon is excited to get this team started. Will these Eagles live up to the hopes and make it farther in sectionals?
SPENCERPORT RANGERS (Class A1)
Last season: Finished 5-16, lost to Aquinas in the Class A1 opening round.
Coach: Richard Vleck (5-16/second season)
Top returners: Gino Pellett (Sr. – 12.9 points per game last season), Patrick Uebelacker (Jr. – 8.3 points per game), Ben Reding (Sr. – 6.5 points per game), Mike Contestabile (Sr.), Jon Taylor (Sr.), Alex Anderson (Sr.).
Top newcomers: Andre Marianetti (6-foot-3 F), Gianni Pellett (G), Vince Raineri (G).
Next game: Friday, December 6 vs. Webster Schroeder.
Outlook: Spencerport will look to build off of the return of six of their eight top scorers from last season. Will their experience and leadership put the Rangers toward the top of Division II?
WEBSTER THOMAS TITANS (Class AA)
Last season: Finished 10-11, lost to Victor in the Class AA first round.
Coach: Griffin Coles (53-58/seventh season)
Top returners: Andrew Mason (Sr. – Daemen College commit, averaged 24 points, six rebounds, and 2.6 assists last season, Monroe County Division II Co-Player of the Year), Dannie Palmer (Sr. – averaged 11 points and 3.8 rebounds per game), Tyler Williams (Jr. – averaged 7.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game)
Top newcomers: Jackson Kulik (So. Guard/Forward)
First game: Friday, December 6 against Churchville-Chili in the opening round of Eastridge’s Al Masino Memorial Tournament.
Outlook: Will the close-knit group of eight seniors lead the Titans to a season above .500 and beyond?
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