2021-22 HERALD High School Basketball Preview
V.S. CENTRAL Eagles need some time to jell By TONY BELLISSIMO
but from what I hear the rest of the conference is going to be up for grabs.” Coming off a highly successful booming number of hopeseason that saw them win 7 of fuls took part in tryouts for Valley Stream Central’s bas- 8 games, the Eagles are back in Class AA following a handful of ketball program this winter. New campaigns in Class A. They’ll face varsity head coach Tim O’Hagan said 220 kids over six grade levels Baldwin, East Meadow, Herricks, Hicksville, Plainview and Westbury had their skills on display and twice apiece. there’s a combined 33 (18 on JV) “The guys want to win and on the high school teams. they want to work,” O’Hagan said. “I was blown away by the Senior guard Malik Moore interest and it’s an outstanding group of kids,” O’Hagan said. “It’s is the go-to on offense, O’Hagan said, after averaging 6.5 points per taking a little while to get up to game. He’s an athletic slasher who speed. We took some lumps in a scrimmage against Manhasset but can also score from outside. O’Hagan said he’s impressed we played better our next time out. “I think we’ll start to get mov- by the talents of sophomore wing Saige Frisco, a tremendous shooter ing around the middle of January and make a push for the playoffs,” and more. Senior Jayden Vera is another guard but with good size he added. “Baldwin is Baldwin, and a post-up game. Senior Jasiah Rodway is lightning-quick at the point and will need to distribute and defend. Senior center Daniel Penubothula is Central’s X-factor. He’s 6-foot-7 and a major presence in the paint. He’s in the midst of recovering from a knee injury. Senior forward Christian Akaeze has varsity experience and does a lot of things not found in a boxscore, O’Hagan said.
A
Ariana Haughton
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EAGLES ARE A WORK IN PROGRESS Numbers are an issue for Central’s girls’ program and head coach Malyssa Thorngren expects to maintain a varsity roster of 10 — up from 7 last winter — “unless someone progresses and
warrants a call-up,” she said. The Eagles capped an otherwise difficult Covid-shortened season with their only victory over New Hyde Park but return only two participants from that game roster — sophomore Faizat Shekoni who had 8 points and junior Danica Pryce who had 3. “We’re hurting for experience and numbers, and the offseason was tough because we weren’t able to hold our usual clinics,” Thorngren said. “It’s going to be interesting going back to Class AA and we booked a lot of quality opponents in non-leagues.” The Eagles will prepare for a challenging conference slate by facing the likes of South Side, Hewlett and Bethpage, as well as participating in the prestigious Freeport Tournament. The return of senior point guard Ariana Haughton to the district is a huge plus, Thorngren said. Haughton spent two years at Christ The King and brings a great handle, court vision and defensive skills. “Ariana is a strong floor leader and the position was going to be a concern, so it’s nice to have her back,” Thorngren said. Sophomore Alyssa Santiago comes off an All-County soccer season and is a standout athlete who hustles all over the court and drives to the rim. Pryce is another scrappy player who rebounds well for a guard and will be counted on to help lead the defense. Senior Faizah Munawar is back on the hardwood after not playing last season and is a “great rebounder and defender in the paint,” Thorngren said, and has a nice elbow jumper. Shekoni is a returning varsity forward who saw quite a bit of playing time last winter and turned her offense up a notch down the stretch.
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Malik Moore
Schedule
BOYS December 15 22
Baldwin @ Hicksville
6:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
January 4 7 12 15 18 22
Westbury @ Herricks Plainview @ East Meadow @ Baldwin Hicksville
6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m.
February 1 4 9 12
@ Westbury Herricks @ Plainview East Meadow
6:15 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m.
GIRLS December 15 22
@ Baldwin Hicksville
7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
January 4 7 12 15 18 22
@ Westbury Herricks @ Plainview East Meadow Baldwin @ Hicksville
6:15 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 6:45 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m.
February 1 4 9 12
Westbury @ Herricks Plainview @ East Meadow
7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m.
Photos by Donovan Berthoud December 30, 2021 — 37
