The 2024-25 Section V Boys’ Basketball season gets into full swing this week. Season previews for Aquinas, Bishop Kearney, Eugenio Maria De Hostos, Finney, Northstar Christian Academy, Rochester Academy, Rochester Prep, University Prep, and Vertus will get readers ready.
AQUINAS LIL’ IRISH
Last season record and finish: 17-4, lost in semifinal to UPrep.
Coach: Jeffrey LaFave (6th season, 73-25)
Top returners: Mackie Terry Sr. (15.0 PPG); Christian McCullough Jr. (15.0 PPG); Jadeir Breedlove Sr. (15.0 PPG); Trent Buttles So.; Quante Gillians Sr.; Derrion Battle Sr.
Top newcomers: Carson Allen So.; Kyson Sellars So.
First game: December 13th vs. Wilson
BISHOP KEARNEY KINGS
Last season record and finish: 11-12, lost in quarterfinal to East.
Coach: John McCauley (First season at Kearney, 5th overall, 49-41)
Top returners: Alejandro Aguilar Sr.; Maddox Volpe Jr.; Jayden Capers Jr.
Top newcomers: Jaiden Pascoe Fr.
Next game: December 7th vs. Fairport
EUGENIO MARIA DE HOSTOS HORNETS
Last season record and finish: 9-11, lost in Class C2 quarterfinal to Byron-Bergen.
Coach: Brian Jackson
First game: December 6th vs. Finney
FINNEY FALCONS
Last season record and finish: 14-8, lost in the quarterfinal to Batavia Notre-Dame.
Coach: Joe Marchand (28th season, 369-240)
Top returners: Ethan Krog Sr. (21.0 PPG, Hilbert College ); Braelen Broome Jr. (16.0 PPG) Ethan Snavely Jr.; Pablo Molleja Sr.; Olin Pickens Sr.
Next game: December 6th vs. Eugenio Maria De Hostos
NORTHSTAR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY KNIGHTS
Last season record and finish: 10-11, lost in semifinal to Arkport-Canaseraga.
Coach: JJ Garwood (18th season, 278-77)
Top returners: Johnny Daby Sr. (7.8 PPG); Max Skolen Jr. (7.5 PPG); Max Klemmer Sr. (5.5 PPG)
Top newcomers: Davonn Stephens Sr.; Kingston Downs So.; Jay Garwood So.
Next game: December 10th vs. Eugenio Maria De Hostos
ROCHESTER ACADEMY RACERS
Last season record and finish: 8-13, lost in quarterfinal to Marcus-Whitman.
Coach: Donovan Roddy (1st season)
Top returners: Joseph Aiken Sr. (2x 1st team All League); Jacob Rybczynski So.
Top newcomers:
Next game: December 6th vs. Canandaigua Academy
ROCHESTER PREP TIGERS
Last season record and finish: 12-8, lost in pre-quarterfinal to Bishop Kearney.
Coach: Jose Barocio (7th season)
Top returners: Kyron Shaw Sr. (15.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG); Jahmere Brown Sr. (12.0 PPG); Jahki Jackson Sr. (6.0 APG)
Top newcomers: Jayden Sheffield Sr.; Julien Hill Sr.; Ciere Dean So.; Tahjier Holmes So.
First game: December 6th vs. Avon
UNIVERSITY PREP GRIFFINS
Last season record and finish: 14-10, won Class AAA.
Coach: Jerice Crouch
Top returners: Gavin White So. (12.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 7.0 APG) Ja’yvion Sampson Jr. (7.0 PPG, 5.0 APG, 4.0 RPG, 3 Steals/G)
Top newcomers: James Willingham So.; Demetrius Walker Jr. Jr.; Jevell Neal Jr.
First game: December 10th vs. Padilla
VERTUS WARRIORS
Last season record and finish: 5-16, lost in pre-quarterfinal to Pittsford Sutherland
Coach: Anthony Givens
Top returners:
Top newcomers: Na’Vant Harrison So.; Terrance Marble Jr.; Denim Weaver Sr.
First game: December 3rd vs. Rochester Prep
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