By PAUL GOTHAM
Winners of 15 and 19 games respectively a season ago, Franklin (Division I) and Monroe (Division II) grabbed the top spots in the Rochester City Athletic Conference (RCAC) Preseason Boys’ Basketball Coaches’ poll for the 2023-24 season.
Led by twin brothers Clarence and Terence Thompson, Franklin made an 11-win improvement from 2021-22 to 2022-23. The Bulldogs garnered seven first-place votes for the Division I poll. East, a Class A2 finalist last year, received two votes for the top spot in DI while McQuaid earned one top nod.
Monroe started 12-0 last season. Brothers DaiQuon and Will McKinney will look to continue that trend this season. The Red Jackets took all 10 first-place votes for the RCAC Division II. This fall, the school’s football program won its first sectional title since 1979. Monroe basketball last claimed a championship in 1982. Can the Red Jackets continue that momentum on to the hardwood?
East welcomes World of Inquiry to open the RCAC season on Thursday. Edison hosts the “Tech Tip-Off” on Friday and Saturday with doubleheaders scheduled for both days. Monday, December 4th three league matchups are scheduled: Early College hosts East, Wilson travels to Monroe and Edison takes on Northeast.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM RON ANDREWS.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM DENNIS JOYCE.
Team-by-team previews get fans ready for the season:
RCAC DIVISION I
EAST HIGH EAGLES (Class A)
Last season record and finish: 18-4, lost in Class A2 championship game to Pittsford Sutherland.
Coach: Darrell Barley (22nd season, 358-117)
Top returners: Micah Breedlove-Johnson Jr. G (13.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG); Keysean Leonard Jr. PG (10.1 PPG, 5.0 APG); Zion Parsons So. G/F (14.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG); Zymier Jackson Sr. G (9.0 PPG, 3.0 steals).
Top newcomers: Markel Kingston-Johnson Jr. G/F; Jayden Holmes Jr. PG; Fenmi Koumassou Jr. F/C; Vasquez Dennis Sr. F.
Outlook: A year ago, Breedlove-Johnson, Leonard and Parsons may have been viewed by some as over-achieving when as underclassmen they led East to 18 wins and a sectional final appearance. The trio returns with unfinished business as they will look to take the RCAC and Class A titles. Jackson, the starting quarterback on the school’s football team that advanced to the NYS semifinals for the first time in more than two decades, brings a winning mentality to the court.
EDISON TECH INVENTORS (Class AAA)
Last season record and finish: 9-14, lost to Fairport in the Class AA semifinals.
Coach: Reggie Simmons (11th season, 130-81)
Top returners: Davijon Lipscomb Sr. G (18.0 PPG); Isaiah Wonneberg Jr. F/C (6.0 PPG).
Top newcomers: Kyair Calloway Jr. C; Javier Medina So. G; Justin Ramos Sr. F; Jaykiel Diaz Sr. G.
Outlook: After advancing to back-to-back AA semi-finals in the past two seasons, Edison returns only two starters from last year’s team: Lipscomb and Wonneberg. The Inventors will rely heavily on Lipscomb, a versatile guard, to carry much of the load this season. By mid-January, Coach Simmons expects many of the newcomers to feel comfortable in their new roles and become a “sleeper” team during sectionals
FRANKLIN BULLDOGS (Class AAA)
Last season record and finish: 15-6, lost to Edison Tech in the Class AA quarterfinals.
Coach: Joseph Jackson, Jr. (4th season, 22-32).
Top returners: Terence Thompson 6-foot-8 Sr. G/F (16.0 PPG 11.0 RPG, First Team All-League); Clarence Thompson 6-foot-4 Sr. G/F (20.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, Second Team All-League), Shawn Goins 5-foot-11 Sr. G ( 15.0 PPG, 4.0 steals, Second Team All-League); Daniel Gay 6-foot-2 Jr. F; Karon Beale 5-foot-7 Sr. G; Danny Williams 5-foot-11 Jr. G.
Top newcomers: Kollin McCullough 6-foot-4 Sr. G/F (18 PPG, Second Team All-League); Curtis Bell So. G/F; Lavante Brown 5-foot-8 Sr. G (19.0 PPG); Isaiah Caruthers 5-foot-5 Fr. G (15.0 PPG as 8th grader on JV).
Outlook: The foundation has been set. Now it’s the time to elevate and complete the mission. Twin brothers Terence and Clarence Thompson along with Shawn Goins are leading Franklin back to champion contention. Terence is ready to be in the POY conversation with his premier shot-blocking ability and improved shooting range. Sharpshooting Clarence, a force defensively, and Shawn are ready to take control of the backcourt. They have been an integral part in turning the program around with a 15-win season last year. The Bulldogs will look to build on that success with the transfers of Kollin McCullough, Lavante Brown and Curtis Bell. McCullough is one of the premier midrange players in the area. Brown brings a steady ball handler to the backcourt. Bell has solidified himself as a good defender and rebounder. Freshman Isaiah Caruthers is ready to contribute and bring depth to the backcourt. The Bulldogs have a tough schedule with road games against Aquinas, Niagara Falls, Jamestown and Fairport. Key games against Greece Athena, Webster Schroeder on top of the always tough RCAC.
McQUAID KNIGHTS (Class AAA)
Last season record and finish: 8-14, lost to eventual state champion Victor in the Class AA quarterfinal.
Coach: Jack Leasure (11th season, 125-89).
Top returners: Isaiah Anderson Sr. PG (6.0 PPG 3.0 APG, 3.0 RPG); Jaiyden Jones Jr. G/F (8.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG); Ryan Woodard Sr. SG (2.0 PPG).
Top newcomers: Andrew Gerenski So. F; Michael Payne Jr. G; Lucas Wachter Jr. G; Henry Fox So. G; Andrew Powell So. G; Quinn Wilson So. F.
Outlook: McQuaid will need newcomers to step up and fill lots of minutes left behind by graduating seniors Ian Florence, Casey Montesano and Chris Woodard. Jones worked his way into the regular rotation in 2022-23 and will look to grow his role in the upcoming season.
WILSON WILDCATS (Class A)
Last season record and finish: 5-16, lost to School of the Arts in the first round of Class A2.
Coach: Victor (Flee) Norflee (3rd season, 12-42).
Top returners: Kendrick Moxley Sr. G (1.7 SPG, 5.0 APG); DaSiah White Jr. G (17.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG); Michael Mitchell Sr. G; Iron Brown Sr. G.
Top newcomers: Paris Brooken So. SF; Ibrahim Hakizimana Jr. G; Jesse Lynn So. G; Will Vanmeter Jr. F; Joshua Ellington So. F
Outlook: This year’s Wilson squad will have several players without any varsity experience. The Wildcats are young but will be competitive. White, a two-year varsity performer, and Moxley, going into his second year with the big club, will lead the way. Newcomers Brooken and Vanmeter will add the physical play that the team has lacked in previous years. Wilson will have more depth than last year and be able to play the style of defense and up-tempo offense that the Wildcats like.
RCAC DIVISION II
ROCHESTER EARLY COLLEGE COBRAS (Class B2)
Last season record and finish: 0-21, lost in first round of sectionals
Coach: John Geglia (11th season, 83-150).
Top returners: Josh Jefferson Sr. G; Michael Stroughter Sr. G; Jahmeik Donald Sr. G;
Top newcomers: Josue Oquendo Jr. F.
Outlook: Early College graduated its leading scorer and rebounder from last year’s team. A trio of senior guards, Jefferson, Donald and Stroughter, will look to take a step forward and lead the team offensively. The experience gained last season will hopefully transform into improved play this season. The Cobras ability to compete will hinge on their ability to mitigate a lack of size with offensive efficiency and defensive effort.
MONROE REDJACKETS (Class A)
Last season record and finish: 19-3, lost to Pittsford Sutherland in Class A2 semifinals.
Coach: Matt McCormick (20th season).
Top returners: DaiQuon McKinney Sr. G; Will McKinney Jr. G; Kenny Scott Sr. F
Top newcomers: Cameron Miller Jr. F; Marcus Freeman Jr. F; Tajmir Mullins Jr. G
Outlook: Monroe will have an uphill battle in Class A to begin as many players are still playing football. The Red Jackets will have to be resilient and continue to improve throughout the year.
NORTHEAST PANTHERS
Last season record and finish: 7 -14, lost to Eastridge in the Class A2 opening round.
Coach: James Taylor-Lymon Sr. (First season at Northeast)
Top returners: Christon Wester Sr. G; Jaiven Fell Sr. F; Kanaz Linder Jr. G.
Outlook: Under first-year head coach Taylor-Lymon, Northeast will look to establish early building blocks and improve throughout the season.
SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (SOTA) SILVERHAWKS (Class A)
Last season record and finish: 9-13; lost to East in A2 Quarterfinals
Coach: Kyle Crandall (First season at SOTA, 112-94 over 10 years at Northeast).
Top returners: Ishmael Gonzales Jr. G; Sam Howland Sr. G; Latrell Ingram Jr. G; Bennie Laver So. F/G; Paul Stevens So. F.
Top newcomers: Jordan Jenkins So. G; Zayvier Little Eighth-grade F/C; Bruce Newton So. G.
Outlook: The Silverhawks finished second in the RCAC – Division II standings last year. Overall, this is a young team which is led by senior point guard, Sam Howland. Howland burst onto the scene last year and became one of the league’s best point guards earning RCAC First Team honors for Division II. Ishmael Gonzales and Latrell Ingram are a pair of talented junior guards looking to lead the backcourt while Laver and Stevens are a pair of sophomore forwards who have greatly improved in the off-season. Jordan Jenkins, Zayvier Little, and Bruce Newton are all underclassmen who hope to provide some much needed depth for SOTA as they look to compete in the RCAC Division II and Section V Class A bracket.
WORLD OF INQUIRY (WOI) GRIFFINS (Class B1)
Last season record and finish: 10-12, lost to Wellsville in the Class B2 quarterfinals.
Coach: Willie Mason (Second season, 19-24).
Top returners: Yacoub Tarawally Sr. SF/PF (14.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG); Jr. Jaedon Adams-Griffin (14.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG); Diego Martinez Sr. 14 PPG , 43 percent from behind the 3-point); Junayde Richardson So. (9.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.0 BPG).
Top newcomers: Caleb Smith Jr. PG/SG.
Outlook: WOI will rely on leadership from its returners with strong experience from last year’s team. The Griffins bring back all of their starters this upcoming season and look to compete in Class B1. The Griffins look forward to getting WOI back on the map.
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