Section V Boys’ Basketball tips off the 2021-22 season on November 26th. Here are the season previews for Fairport, Hilton, Penfield, Rush-Henrietta, Victor and Webster Schroeder:
FAIRPORT RED RAIDERS (Class AA)
Last season record and finish: 2-9, did not qualify for sectionals
Coach: Scott Fitch (21st season, 318-110 career record)
Top returners: Cody Bilyo Sr. G/F; Alex Hill Sr. G (9 PPG last season); Ian Kennedy Sr. G/F; Josh Knapp Sr. F; Jake Koonmen Sr. G/F (3 PPG, 3 RPG last season); Bill Meagher Sr. G (3 PPG last season); Mitch Parker Sr. G; Wallace Rahmaan Jr. G (4 PPG last season); James Stanek Sr. G; Bruce Wilder Sr. G
Top newcomers: Zac Ditzel Jr. G; Hayden McCue Jr. F; Aidan White So. F
Outlook: “We are optimistic. We will have to figure out how to use our depth to our advantage. I am looking forward to connecting with this group and having our practices back.”
First game: December 7th at Bishop Kearney at 7 p.m.
HILTON CADETS (Class AA)
Last season record and finish: 1-9, did not qualify for sectionals
Coach: Troy Prince (18th season, 175-163 career record)
Top returners: Derek Cavey Sr. F/G; Carter Clark Sr. C (7.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG last season); Matthew Mastowski Sr. F; Luke Pisani Jr. G; Preston Prince Sr. SF (11.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG last season); Greyson Trubia Jr. PF (10.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG last season); Michael Whelehan Jr. PG (8 PPG last season)
Top newcomers: Johnny Bianchi So.; Ben Cronk Jr.
Outlook: “We return four starters (Clark is out indefinitely with a toe injury). We have some size (Trubia is 6-foot-6, Clark is 6-foot-5 and Prince is 6-foot-4). We have some experience, but need to handle the ball effectively and be consistent with our effort. We have great kids, but a quiet bunch that needs leadership to develop. The division graduated a lot, but those programs reload and don’t rebuild.”
First game: December 3rd at Churchville-Chili at 7:15 p.m.
VIEW MORE DENNIS JOYCE PHOTOS HERE.
PENFIELD PATRIOTS (Class AA)
Last season record and finish: 8-6, lost in Class AA sectional quarterfinals to Aquinas
Coach: Jason Ellis (Seventh season, 58-62 career record)
Top returners: Aiden Cook Jr. G (All-County Second Team last season); Caden Harrington Jr. G; Matt Karpen Sr. G/F; Brady Schroeder Sr. G/F; Derek Torres Jr. C
Top newcomers: Danny Gregory Sr. F; Charles MacDougall-Knapp G/F
Outlook: “We are returning some very nice pieces which helped us find success last season. We are returning some big minutes and players who have seen the speed of this level. Hoping to lean on some experience, we are hoping that this group gels and molds into something special. We will be an exciting team to watch with the potential to beat anyone and lose to anyone. This is a group of great kids who are looking to become part of that hard-nosed, gritty culture we call Penfield Basketball.”
First game: December 3rd vs. Franklin at 7 p.m.
RUSH-HENRIETTA ROYAL COMETS (Class AA)
Last season record and finish: 8-6, lost in Class AA sectional semifinals to Victor
Coach: Christopher Reed (30th season overall, 22nd season at Rush-Henrietta, 414-212 career record)
Top returners: Abdulfatah Bori Sr. F; Ajani Cook Sr. G; Izigk Fisher Sr. F; Mason Giorgione Sr. PG (13 PPG, 4 APG last season); Nasir Hunter Sr. G (6 PPG, led team in steals last season); Tyler Simmons Sr. G; Tobey Wright Sr. G (8 PPG, 50 percent 3P last season)
Top newcomers: Myles Collins-Howard Jr. G; Josiah Jones Jr. G; Dillon Kelly Sr. C; Caleb Koehler Jr. F; Isaiah Santiago-Washington Jr. F; Adareus Smith Jr. F
Outlook: “All three guards played big roles last year. The key will be how our big kids come along. We should be a quick team that shoots the ball well.”
First game: December 10th vs. Hilton at 7:15 p.m.
VICTOR BLUE DEVILS (Class AA)
Last season record and finish: 11-2, lost in Class AA sectional final to Gates-Chili
Coach: Tyler Roberts (77 career victories)
Top returners: Phil Nwugwo Sr. F/G (9.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 69.2% FG last season); Cam Ryan So. G; Jonah Whittier Sr. G
Top newcomers: Garrett Clar So. G; Ryan Dodge Jr. G; Brennan Hopkins Jr. F; Nick Leonard So. F/G; AJ Queri Jr. G
Outlook: “We have an experienced group of players that have played a ton of basketball together throughout the years. Our season will depend on how well we play team defense and rebound.”
First game: December 4th vs. Fayetteville-Manlius (III) at 4:15 p.m.
WEBSTER SCHROEDER WARRIORS (Class A1)
Last season record and finish: 6-7, lost in Class AA sectional quarterfinals to Rush-Henrietta
Coach: Rashaad Stokelin (Third season, 12-22 career record)
Top returners: Benjamin Carey Sr. G (7.5 PPG, 44 percent 3P last season); Alex DeRosa Sr. G (5 PPG last season); Nicholas Hauman Sr. F/G (6.5 PPG last season)
Top newcomers: Jonathan McCaffrey Jr. F
Outlook: “We will have some guys with three to four years of experience this year and depth with both guards and forwards. We had a successful offseason and grew tremendously.”
First game: December 6th vs. McQuaid at 7:30 p.m.
*Original publication had a mistake*
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