With the 2006-07 boys basketball season in full swing this weekend, here is a look at Mohonasen, Niskayuna, Schalmont, Schenectady Christian and Scotia-Glenville:
Mohonasen Mighty Warriors
Head coach: Ken Dagostino
League: Suburban Council (White Division)
Key veterans: Pat Barnes, Cameron Couball, Jordan Macejka
Outlook: The Mighty Warriors didn’t win many games in Dagostino’s first season last year, but with nine returning players, he’s hopeful for a better 2006-07 campaign.
I think we will be improved, said Dagostino. `I think this group has really opened some eyes as to how hard you have to work in order to improve.`
Two things could work in Mohonasen’s favor. The Mighty Warriors lost several close games last year to veteran Suburban Council clubs, and they will be in a division where the other three teams (Averill Park, Niskayuna and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) all graduated key players.
`Hopefully, a year of experience will help us,` said Dagostino.
Mohonasen opens its season Friday against Bethlehem in the Niskayuna Invitational Tournament.
Niskayuna Silver Warriors
Head coach: Mike Black
League: Suburban Council (White Division)
Key veterans: Alex Olbrych, Pete Andriakos, Jonathan Randolph
Key newcomers: Joe Privatera, Garrett Bush
Outlook: The Silver Warriors will try to overcome the departure of several key players from last year’s team including Phillip Rivers, Steve Sommer, Dan Halayko, John Koch, Larry Ritter and Brian Grastorf. They open their season Friday by hosting Schalmont at the Niskayuna Invitational Tournament.
Schalmont Sabres
Head coach: Kevin Curtin
League: Colonial Council
Key veterans: Nick Bonitatibus, Josh Catino, Jack Macejka, Bill Iachetta
Key newcomers: Dustin Quay, Chris Hotaling, Mark Belles
Outlook: The Sabres won’t have a lot of height this year, but Curtin said the team’s speed and aggressiveness will compensate for it.
`We’ll look to push the ball up the court and get to the back (on defense) quickly to force the other team to turn the ball over,` said Curtin.
Following this weekend’s Niskayuna Invitational Tournament, Schalmont opens its Colonial Council season Tuesday by hosting Watervliet.
Schenectady Christian Falcons
Head coach: Chad Bowman
League: Western Athletic Conference (Southern Division)
Key veterans: Matt McCarty, Jake Bowman, Jared Kulbako
Key newcomer: Kelsey Collins
Outlook: The Falcons are already banged up. McCarty and Jake Bowman are both out with injuries, leaving Chad Bowman with a depleted front court.
`We don’t have a lot of depth this year,` said coach Bowman, who is carrying nine players on this year’s roster. `Being healthy is a key to what we do. Actually, getting healthy is a key for us.`
Despite the injuries and the graduation of point guard Kordell Gailliard, Bowman said he is hopeful his team will compete for the Southern Division title.
Scotia-Glenville Tartans
Head coach: James Giammattei
League: Foothills Council
Key veterans: Mike Stopera, Brett Evensen, Dan Vandenberg, James Kehoe
Outlook: The Tartans have a veteran backcourt with the return of Stopera and Evensen, and they will have added height with Vandenburg and Kehoe. Scotia-Glenville may have trouble unseating defending league champion Glens Falls, which returns most of its players, but the Tartans should be competitive once again.“