By PAUL GOTHAM
For the second straight season, the same team grabbed the top spot in the Rochester City Athletic Conference (RCAC) Preseason Coaches’ Poll. This year, though, more squads are in the mix to finish first in the league.
Coming off a trip to the Class A final, Darrell Barley’s East High Eagles received No. 1 in the preseason rankings with four first-place votes. Four-year starter Zion Parson, who scored 15.0 points per game a year ago, leads the Eagles who also return Norman Simmons Jr. and Jalen Gray this season.
Monroe, which advanced to the 2025 Class AA2 semifinals, garnered two first-place votes while World of Inquiry, coming off its first sectional title in program history and Wilson received one vote apiece.
A one-division league for a second straight year, teams will meet one time each to decide the league title.
Early College and McQuaid are playing independent schedules this season.
EARLY COLLEGE COBRAS
RCAC Independent
Last season: Finished 1-21, lost to Wellsville in Class B1 first round.
Coach: John Geglia (14th season/85-192).
Top returners: Tyrone Grant Jr. G; Cincere Moxley-Studymine Jr. G/F; Damarion Griffin Jr. G;
Top newcomers: Sam Washington So. G/F
Outlook: The Cobras return a core of promising juniors who gained valuable experience at the varsity level last season. Expect this group to take the next step forward this season. Tyrell Grant, Da’marion Griffin and Cincere Moxley-Studymine emerged as offensive leaders last year and will continue to lead the Cobra offense this year. Nay’yir Ortiz brings intensity and energy on the defensive end of the court with forwards Zion Shields and Ethan Benman patrolling the paint and hitting the boards. Sophomore Sam Washington is projected to slide into the starting lineup after spending his freshman year on JV providing size, versatility and play-making ability. If the Cobras defend with intensity and establish a balanced, selfless offense attack, they will have more success than in recent years.
Sectional titles: 2 (2016, 2015)
First game: Friday, December 5th at Dansville.
EAST HIGH EAGLES
Last season: Finished 18-2, lost to Wayne in Class A finals.
Coach: Darrell Barley (25th season/394-122).
Top returners: Zion Parson Sr. G/F (Third-Team All-State Selection); Norman Simmons Jr. Jr. F; Jalen Gray So. G; Timothy Reed Sr.
Top newcomers: Talhah Ali Sr. PG; Xavier McDonald Jr. PG; Jeremy Quinn 9th grade.
Outlook: This year East is playing a competitive, difficult schedule to prepare for a sectional run. The Eagles face UPrep twice, Victor, McQuaid twice, Fairport along with Section VI contenders Health Sciences, Park School, and Niagara Falls as well as a top teams out of the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas. The main goal is to improve as the season progresses.
Sectional titles: 27 (’22, ’21, ’20, ’14, ’12, ’10, ’08, ’05, ’03, ’96, ’90, ’89, ’85, ’79, ’78, ’74, ’73, ’69, 67, ’66, ’57, ’48, ’46, ’29 ’28, ’25, ’22).
First game: Friday, December 12th at McQuaid.
EDISON TECH INVENTORS
Last season: Finished 3-18 and lost Churchville-Chili in AA1 first round.
Coach: Reggie Simmons (12th season – fourth at Edison/141-111).
Top returners: Javier Medina Sr. G; Felix Vasquez Sr G; Jahmier Birmingham Sr. G; Aden Aden Sr. G.
Top newcomers: Julius Trammell Jr G; Cyrus Bridgewater Jr. F; Izreal Ortiz Jr. G.
Season Outlook: After a challenging 3-18 season, Edison is entering a critical rebuilding phase with renewed determination and strategic focus. While our record was difficult, the coaching staff and players have been committed to developing skills, building team chemistry,
and establishing a competitive mindset with strategic priorities of 1. Defensive intensity and discipline. 2. Enhanced team communication. 3. Improved transition offense. 4. Building mental resilience.
Sectional titles: 2 (’99, ’98).
First game: Wednesday, December 3rd vs. Vertus Academy
McQUAID JESUIT KNIGHTS
RCAC Independent
Last season: Finished 9-13, lost to Rush-Henrietta in Class AAA semifinals.
Coach: Taylor Roth (Second season/9-13)
Top returners: Andrew Gerenski Sr. F; Gavin Vanderwal Jr. Wing; Brayden Woodard Jr. Wing; Gianni Hahn Sr. G; Nick Fallat Sr. G;
Top newcomers: Isaiah Mead-Jackson Jr. G; Chrisaun Jordan Jr. F; CJ Nicholson 9th Wing; Jeremiah Myers 9th G.
Outlook: McQuaid Jesuit looks to get back to the top of AAA in Section V with a mix of strong returners from last season’s team and a collection of talented newcomers. McQuaid will lean on its depth this season as the Jesuit Knights work through another challenging schedule with a mix of local rivalries and out-of-region games.
Sectional titles: 10 (’19, ’18, ’03, ’02, ’97, ’95, ’93, ’91, ’88, ’87)
First game: Saturday, December 6th at Victor.
MONROE RED JACKETS
Last season: Finished 15-7, lost to Canandaigua in Class AA2 semifinals.
Coach: Terrell Cunningham (Second season/15-7).
Top returners: Navareon Patton Jr. G (12.0 ppg); Jordan Reis Sr. F (14.0 ppg); JaRon Shears Sr. G (9.0 ppg).
Top newcomers: Tahjier Homes Jr. G; John Hardy Jr. F; Anthony Omebe Sr. F; Jordan Thomas Sr. F.
Outlook: Monroe returns a strong core led by Navareon Patton (12 ppg), Jordan Reis (14 ppg), and Jaron Shears (9 ppg), giving the Red
Jackets one of the most experienced scoring trios in the league. With added depth, length, and athleticism across the roster, Monroe is built to thrive in its trademark up-tempo, aggressive style. Expect a fast-paced attack, multiple defensive looks, and a team capable of wearing
opponents down over four quarters. With improved bench production and a renewed commitment to pressure defense, the Red Jackets enter the season with high expectations and the pieces to make a serious run in Section V.
Sectional titles: 3 (’82, ’47, ’43)
PADILLA BULLDOGS
Last season: Finished 4-17 lost in Class AAA first round to Aquinas.
Coach: Jeff Curtis (First season at Padilla on the Franklin Campus/14th overall with tenures at Charlotte HS (10), World of Inquiry (3).
Top returners: Isiah Caruthers Jr. PG (Second year starter and third year on varsity); Hasson Isgowe Sr. (SF) (Second year starter); Jaquan Gaskin Jr. SG/SF) (Late season varsity call up last year); Kyrese Boose Sr. C (Second year varsity player).
Top newcomers: L’Trail St.Fleurant Jr. SG/PG (Leading scorer on JV last season.); Charles Robinson So. C; Messiah Williams Jr. SF; Robert McCullough Jr. SF; Ty’shawn Martino Jr. SG/PG.
Outlook: The Bulldogs are looking to improve greatly on last season’s four wins. This group is very hard- working and dedicated to succeeding. With a new coaching staff there are a lot of new systems to learn in a short period of time. This team should ascend throughout the season and be in the mix to be on top of the RCAC. This is a very quick team that can score from outside, transition, as well as in the paint.
Sectional titles: 14 (’01, ’96, ’94, ’93, ’86, ’84, ’71, ’70, ’60, ’42, ’41, ’38, ’37, ’32)* All titles were won as Franklin High School.
Next game: Thursday, December 4th vs. Aquinas.
SOTA SILVERHAWKS
Last season: Finished 8-13, lost to Batavia in Class A first round.
Coach: Kyle Crandall (13th season/130-119)
Top returners: AhDonn Grant-Duncan Sr. F; Henry Hawkinson Sr. F; Matt Howland Jr. G; Jordan Jenkins Sr. G; Bennie Laver Sr. G; Zayvier Little So. F; Bruce Newton Sr. G; Paul Stevens Sr. F.
Outlook: The Silverhawks return three starters and several players who have multiple years of varsity experience. This is a well-balanced team at the guard and forward positions. Learning to play fundamental team basketball on offense will be a focus throughout the season. In addition, the team will work to establish a defensive identity for the first half of the season in hopes that they will be playing their best basketball at the end of the year.
Sectional titles: 2 (’15, ’03).
Next game: Friday, December 5th at Brighton High School.
WILSON WILDCATS
Last season: Finished 4-16, lost to Greece Arcadia in Class AA2 first round.
Coach: Victor “Coach Flee” Norflee (6th season, 21-74)
Top returners: Aaron Riley Jr. G (Started final 13 games as a sophomore, 7.0 rebounds per game); Jayden Ingram Jr. G (Pulled up from JV team during last season and became a starter); Jesse Lynn Sr. G. (18.0 ppg).
Top newcomers: Corey Faison Sr. G; Jamair LeMaine Sr. G; Jayden Everett Sr. G; Sir Cordae Hightower Sr. G; Adam Martinez Sr. F; Damyreon Warnick Sr. F; Trayshawn Williams Sr. G; Davell Brown Jr. G; Navon Fuqua Jr. G.
Outlook: The Wildcats will to improve on last year’s record. Wilson has depth and experience at each position and should be fun to watch. The team will be led by group of players that understands the importance of playing hard nose defense each night. Lynn led the team in scoring and wants to add on to his career mark and become the best that Wilson has produced. He will have plenty of help with scoring from Aaron Riley and Jayden Ingram, both second-year starters. The team likes to play fast, and will have a talented group 1-12 that will allow them to play that style for 32 minutes.
Sectional titles: 6 (’06, ’00, ’91, ’90, ’86*, ’85).
Next game: Friday, December 5th at Spencerport.
WORLD OF INQUIRY GRIFFINS
Last season: Finished 22-4, Class B1 sectional champions and advanced to the state semi-finals.
Coach: Elyette Clyburn (First season)
Top returners: Devin Dillon 9th grade PG/SG ( scored 21 points during sectional game after being moved up from JV); Curtis Bell Sr. SG/SF; Dezmond Jackson So. PF/C; Junayde Richardson Sr. C; Marcus Norwood Sr. PG/SG; Richone Washington Sr. PG/SG.
Outlook: The World of Inquiry community is buzzing with the promise and purpose that follows a sectional title, and the 2026 season is shaping up to be a defining chapter for the student- athletes who carried the 2025 squad to new heights. After clinching a sectional title last season, these young men carry a renewed sense of purpose. The path to a second Section V title is paved with hard work, focus, determination and teamwork. This is not the same team as last year. The Griffins are hungrier. Every effort is made to be the very best on and off the court.
Sectional titles: 1 (’25)
First game: Friday, December 5th vs. Bishop Kearney at Greece Arcadia (tournament).
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