Edison Tech and Monroe grab top spots in RCAC Preseason Poll

Edison Tech and Monroe High enter the 2022-23 season as the favorites of Rochester City Athletic Conference (RCAC) Boys’ Basketball as selected by league coaches. 

Edison narrowly edged McQuaid and Franklin for the top spot in the RCAC’s Division I. Returning starters Tyler Bethea and Davijon Lipscomb lead an Inventors’ squad that advanced to the Class AA semifinals last March. Edison, which received three first-place votes in the Coaches’ Poll, opens the season Friday as the host of the “Tech Tip-Off” when they will face International Prep (VI) in the second game of a doubleheader. 

Anthony DiMarco, Ian Florence and Casey Montesano (14.1 points per game) return for a McQuaid squad that also received three first-place votes in the poll. Franklin, with Sha’mere Freeman (22 points and six assists per game), Shawn Goins and Terence Thompson (12 points, 11 rebounds per game), also garnered three first-place votes. East High also had one first-place vote. The Eagles open their season as part of the “Tech Tip-Off this weekend. East plays the Patrick School (Green) out of New Jersey. 

Monroe received nine first-place votes for the top spot in RCAC’s Division II. Felton Gray, Davion Jones and Jaquan Shears lead a Redjacket squad looking to make in Class A2 this season. 

World of Inquiry garnered one first-place vote for Division II. Jaedon Adams-Griffin and Diego Martinez averaged 14 points apiece last season for the Griffins. 

RCAC opens league play on Thursday, December 1st when Edison hosts McQuaid and Monroe welcomes Early College. Franklin, Northeast,  SOTA and World of Inquiry all play non-league matchups the following night. Wilson starts its season the following Tuesday. 

RCAC DIVISION I

EAST HIGH EAGLES (Class A2)

Last season record and finish: 14-4, lost in New York State class A Far West Regional qualifier to Pittsford Mendon
Coach: Darrell Barley (23rd season, 340-113 career record)
Top returners: Nigel Copeland Sr. F; Quinton Gordon-Smith Sr. PG; Micah Johnson-Breedlove So. SG; Collin McCullough Jr. F; Jazario McDonald Sr. F; Zion Parson Fr. G/F (10.1 PPG, 8.0 RPG last season)
Top newcomers: Zymier Jackson Jr. G/F; Damari Johnson Sr. F; Keysean Leonard So. PG; Kamel Little So. G/F
Outlook: “This year, we’ll be young with a couple of veteran players. Every year, we play a very competitive schedule and this year is no exception. We play in an early showcase versus two out-of-town teams (Patrick School and International Prep), Green Tech (II), Park School (Monsignor Martin) twice, Elmira (IV) and Broome (IV) out of Binghamton. We’ll play all ten guys with some playing more than others.”
First game: November 25th vs. Patrick School (NJ) at Edison Tech High School at 3 p.m.

EDISON TECH INVENTORS (Class AA)

Last season record and finish: 14-7, lost in class AA sectional semifinals to Aquinas
Coach: Reggie Simmons (10th season, 121-67 career record)
Top returners: Tyler Bethea Sr. G; Davijon Lipscomb Jr. G
Top newcomers: Isaiah Wonneberg So. C
Outlook: “The Inventors will go as far as the duo of Bethea and Lipscomb can take them, but will need contributions from a group of role players that are ascending in the ranks of the program.”
First game: November 25th vs. International Prep (VI) at 5 p.m.

FRANKLIN BULLDOGS (Class AA)

Last season record and finish: 4-17, lost in first round of class AA sectionals to Fairport
Coach: Joseph Jackson, Jr. (Third season, 7-26 career record)
Top returners: Sha’mere Freeman Sr. G (22.0 PPG, 6.0 APG); Shawn Goins Jr. G (8.0 PPG); Terence Thompson Jr. C/F (12.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG)
Top newcomers: Clarence Thompson Jr. G/F; Danny Williams So. G
Outlook: “We have a core group of players that have been in the program and will play a major part in how successful this group will be. Freeman, returning for his senior year, was first team RCAC last year. Terence Thompson has improved his game close to the basket and facing the hoop. Clarence Thompson will make a huge impact scoring and rebounding as he averaged 25.0 PPG at the junior varsity level. We want to play up-tempo defensively and offensively, to use our speed, so this should be a good year for the Bulldogs.”
First game: December 2nd at Aquinas at 7:30 p.m.

MCQUAID JESUIT KNIGHTS (Class AA)

Last season record and finish: 11-10, lost in class AA sectional quarterfinals to Edison Tech
Coach: Jack Leasure (10th season, 117-75 career record)
Top returners: Anthony DiMarco Sr. F (7.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG); Ian Florence Sr. G (7.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.4 APG); Casey Montesano Sr. G (14.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.0 APG; All-RCAC Second Team); Chris Woodard Sr. G/F (11.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.0 APG; All-RCAC Second Team); Gabe Zawolo Sr. G
Top newcomers: Isaiah Anderson Jr. G; Patrick Tehan Jr. G/F
Outlook: “McQuaid will rely on leadership from a senior core that returns with strong experience from last year’s team that went 11-10 through a difficult schedule and lost to Edison Tech on a buzzer-beater in the AA quarterfinals. Newcomers will need to step up and fill meaningful roles. The development and work ethic of the team from November to February will decide how good the group can be. The Knights will have their hands full in RCAC Division I  against strong teams in Franklin, Edison Tech, East High and Wilson Magnet as well as a very competitive AA sectional bracket.”
First game: December 1st at Edison Tech at 6 p.m.

WILSON MAGNET WILDCATS (Class A2)

Last season record and finish: 9-12, lost in first round of class A2 sectionals to Brockport
Coach: Victor “Flee” Norflee (Second season, 9-12 career record)
Top returners: Dolcin Flood Sr. SF; Michael Wiggins Sr. SG
Top newcomers: Qualeek Ball Sr. G; Divine Collaway Sr. G; Brandon Davis Sr. SF; Jaylen Hardeman Sr. G; Mike Mitchell Jr. G; Kendrick Moxley Jr. G; Lamar Rhone Sr. SG
Outlook: “This year’s team will be deeper than last season’s squad. We’ll rely on our seniors for the on-court leadership. We lost two key defensive players for us last year and the whole team will need to step up to replace those players. Our kids like to run fast and will look to push the pace as often as they can.”
First game: December 6th vs. Edison Tech at 6:30 p.m.

RCAC DIVISION II

EARLY COLLEGE COBRAS (Class B2)

Last season record and finish: 2-19, lost in first round of class B2 sectionals to Penn Yan
Coach: John Geglia (10th season, 83-129 career record)
Top returners: Quentin Majors-Brown Sr. F; Michael Stroughter Jr. G
Top newcomers: Jahmeik Donald; Josh Jefferson
Outlook: “The Cobras graduated three senior starters from last year’s team. Quentin Majors-Brown and Michael Stroughter should fill the void with their increase in opportunity. The Cobras are also expecting contributions from Jahmeik Donald and Josh Jefferson, both of whom played on a limited basis last season. The Cobras’ ability to compete will hinge on their ability to mitigate a lack of size with offensive efficiency and defensive effort.”
First game: December 1st vs. Monroe at 6:30 p.m.

MONROE REDJACKETS (Class A2)

Last season record and finish: 9-11, lost in first round of class A2 sectionals to Leadership Academy
Coach: Matt McCormick (19th season)
Top returners: Antonio Borrero Sr. F; Khalil Graham Jr. G; Felton Grey Sr. G; Davion Jones Sr. G; Jaquan Shears Sr. F
Top newcomers: Dai’quon McKinney Jr. G; William McKinney So. G
Outlook: “Monroe returns three starters from last year’s team. Seniors Felton Gray, Jaquan Shears and Davion Jones will log heavy minutes. Newcomers Dai’quon and William McKinney will provide an additional dimension on both ends of the court. Antonio Borrero and Kahili Graham will be needed to provide depth and consistency off of the bench. Look for other players to accept roles and provide needed depth. The Redjackets open up on December 1st at Early College High School.”
First game: December 1st at Early College at 6:30 p.m.

NORTHEAST PANTHERS (Class A2)

Last season record and finish: 7-14, lost in first round of class A2 sectionals to School Of The Arts
Coach: Kyle Crandall (10th season, 105-80 career record)
Top returners: Loren Thomas Sr. PG (11.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG); Chrishton Wester Jr. G/F (9.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG)
Top newcomers: Michael Cathey So. F; Jaivein Fell Jr. G/F; Timyus Frazier Sr. G; Mikell Timmons Sr. G; Monty Velletri Sr. G
Outlook: “The Panthers are excited to combine with some players who remained at the Charlotte campus from Leadership Academy. Northeast will look to rebrand in hopes to compete for the Division II title and get ready for a run into sectionals. Establishing unity between players from both schools will be essential for the success of the team.”
First game: December 2nd vs. Eugenio Maria at Eastridge High School at 5:30 p.m.

SCHOOL OF THE ARTS SILVERHAWKS (Class A2)

Last season record and finish: 8-14, lost in class A2 sectional quarterfinals to Eastridge
Coach: Tim Lewis (Second Varsity season, 18-3 career record)
Top returners: Sam Howland Jr. G (13.0 PPG)
Top newcomers: Ishmael Gonzalez So. G
Outlook: “Coach Lewis is looking for the student-athletes to learn and grow at School Of The Arts.”
First game: December 2nd vs. Charles G. Finney at 6:30 p.m.

WORLD OF INQUIRY GRIFFINS (Class B2)

Last season record and finish: 9-13, lost in class B2 sectional quarterfinals to Mynderse
Coach: Willie Mason (Second season, 9-13 career record)
Top returners: Jaedon Adams-Griffin So. G (14.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG); Diego Martinez Jr. G (14.0 PPG, 86.0 percent FT)
Top newcomers: Ibrahim Bangura So. G; Junayde Richardson Fr. F; Yacoub Tarawally Jr. F
Outlook: “World of Inquiry Boys’ Basketball is looking to hit the ground running with a very young team this season. They’ll have two returning guards from last season.”
First game: December 2nd at Palmyra-Macedon at 7:30 p.m.