BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW: Team-by-team scouting reports
BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW: Candidates for Super 7
BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW: This year'sSuper 7 and Second 7
Lohud Boys Basketball Power Rankings
Preseason
(last season's record)
1. Mount Vernon (17-6) — The Knights suffered an unexpected loss to Fox Lane in the Class AA final, but they return nine players from that team, including four-year varsity players Noah Morgan, Greg Calixte and Eric Monroe, third-year guards Demetre Roberts and Jason Douglas-Stanley and active big man Jayquan Smith.
2. Iona Prep (12-16) — They battled injuries all season and willhave to overcome a loss of star Ty Jerome (Virginia), but the Gaels might have the area's most talented roster. Bryce Wills is a four-star recruit who is now healthy. Junior big men Josh Alexander andSouleymane Koureissi and senior swingman Nick Brennen are all experienced players. If Iona Prep gets support from a group of newcomers led by junior Romar Reid, it could be near the top of the CHSAA.
3. Byram Hills (21-6) — After a program-record 21 wins, the Bobcats are a team built to win now. They welcome back the top three players from last season's state semifinalist — Skylar Sinon, Matt Groll and Matt Milone — ahd should see a big leap from returning sophom*ores Ben Leff, a 6-foot-6 forward, and Willy Samsen, a 6-foot-4 swingman. Expect senior sharpshooter Erik Lewerenz to emerge as a reliable scorer.
4. Stepinac (10-17)— The Crusaders lost two Top 100 recruits in Jordan Tucker and Aundre Hyatt to transfer, but they return three talented guards with starting experience. Jorden Means, Payton Hudson and Ed Minaya will be bolsters by several transfers, including Alan Griffin, who was an all-section player at Ossining, and big men Xavier Wilson and Joel Soriano. Freshman R.J. Davis should also contribute immediately.
5. Spring Valley (16-6) — Despite the loss of all-section guard Marc Dorsainvil to graduation, the Tigers return a strong core, led by seniors Devan Lawson and Michael Maynes and junior Mavenson Therneus. Lawson, who started forthe 2015 Section 1 Class A champs,missed most of last season with shoulder surgery. He helped Spring Valley to wins over Mount Vernon and Saunders.
6. Tappan Zee (21-3) — The Dutchmen lost two all-section players in Robert McWilliams and Victor Clervil, but last season's Class A runner-up still returns plenty of experience. Senior Kevin Lynch emerged as a major contributor during the playoffs and he should have plenty of support from veteran guards Ryan Holder, Kieran Gibson, Matt McCleary and Matt McGivney.
7. New Rochelle (14-7) — The Huguenots lost most of their contributors in the frontcourt, but the backcourt — led by senior Jarett Haines — should be a strength. New Rochelle might need some time to gel with several key players just returning from the football team's run to the state semifinals.
8. Lourdes (16-6) — The Warriors reached the Class A semis last season and should contend for the County Center again. Their fortunes will again be tied to the dominance of big man James Anozie, a senior who has already eclipsed 1,000 career points.
9. Kennedy (24-3) — The Gaels will have to reload after the loss of several key pieces, none bigger than swingman Malachi de Sousa, who transferred to prep school. They went 50-5 the last two seasons, including the CHSAA 'A' city title in 2015 and an undfeated league title in 2015-16.
10. Saunders (16-7) — The Blue Devils have dropped to Class A after two trips to the Class AA semifinals, but they will have to thrive without all-section guards Derrick Felder and Anthony Miller. One key will be junior Sean Bresnan, who is one of the area's top shooters.
On the bubble:Rye (16-6).
Class rankings
Class AA —1. Mount Vernon, 2. Spring Valley, 3. New Rochelle, 4. Clarkstown South, 5. Fox Lane.
Class A — 1. Byram Hills, 2. Tappan Zee, 3. Lourdes, 4. Saunders, 5. Rye.
Class B — 1. Woodlands, 2. Briarcliff, 3. Pleasantville, 4. Blind Brook, 5. Bronxville
Class C/D — 1. Tuckahoe, 2. North Salem, 3. Haldane, 4. Hamilton, 5. Solomon Schechter.
Key dates
December 26-29 —Slam Dunk tournament at the County Center
February 16 — Section 1 outbracket round
February 18 — Section 1 first round
February 22 — Section 1 Class B, C quarterfinals
February 23 — Section 1 Class A quarterfinals
February 24 — Section 1 Class AA quarterfinals
February 27-March 5 — Championship Week at the County Center
March 17-19 — NYSPHSAA final four at Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton
March 24-26 — New York State Federation tournament at the Glens Falls Civic Center
Twitter:@lohudinsider
