2021 H.S. boys’ basketball preview capsules
ECC DIVISION I
Bacon Academy
Coach: Craig Kupper (3rd season)
Key returnees: Sr. F James Anderson, Sr. F Dillon Rakowski.
Top newcomers: Sr. G Patrick Mawhiney, So. G/F Luke Grimord, Jr. F Ryan Claffey, Jr. G/F Sam Blumberger, Jr. G Nate Harasimowitz.
Outlook: The Bobcats suffered some key graduation losses and will play in a tough division during this abbreviated season, so there will be growing pains on a team that finished 6-14 last season. Anderson is the only returning player with any significant playing time, but Kupper is excited to give some of his untested players an opportunity to compete for varsity playing time.
East Lyme
Coach: Jeff Bernardi (7th season)
Key returnees: Jr. G Riley Walsh, Sr. G Chris Carpenteri, Sr. G Matt Valakos.
Top newcomers: Sr. F Marshall Gada, Sr. F Sujesh Kurumbail, Jr. F Will Anglin, Jr. G Rowan Mundell.
Outlook: The Vikings were forced to build last season and finished 6-14. Bernardi expects those growing pains to pay off this year with a solid core returning. He also welcomes several players from an undefeated junior varsity team that Bernardi believes will translate into success during his abbreviated season.
Fitch
Coach: Charles Silvan (5th season)
Key returnees: Sr. F Chris Kershaw, Sr. G Justin Porter, Jr. G Khyol Kershaw, Jr. PG Yanie Hernandez, Jr. G Colin Anderson.
Top newcomers: Jr. G Jaysen Hammer, So. G Kevin Saintville-Ravix, So. G Elijah Black.
Outlook: The Falcons went 17-3 a year ago and won the ECC Division II title. They must replace a pair of ECC all-stars in Adriel Atad and Ajia Brown, but there is plenty of experience back and an abundance of talented guards, even though some lack varsity playing time. “We are looking to continue to build on the culture the graduating seniors of 2020 left behind,” Silvan said. “We will continue to improve on a daily basis with the hope to make this as positive season and an opportunity to grow as a team and as individuals.”
Ledyard
Coach: Dave Cornish (10th season)
Key returnees: Sr. F Jabari Jones, Sr. G Jeremiah Cox, Jr. G/F Dorell Cagle, Jr. F/C Connor Keefe, Jr. G/F Cameron Reynolds, So. G Lebron Maurice, So. G James Green.
Top newcomers: Sr. G Austin Chapman, Sr. G Damian Ayuyu, Jr. G Albert Franck, So. F Chris Washington.
Outlook: The Colonels, despite finishing 12-8 during the regular season, caught fire in the postseason, reaching the ECC Division I championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena and defeating Stratford in their Division III state tournament opener before COVID-19 ended the season. Ledyard did graduate three starters but return two of the ECC’s most dynamic players in Jones and Cagle. Cox, Cagle and Maurice will be counted upon to improve the guard play, Cornish said, a big key to the Colonels’ success. “It’s going to be a short season, so we have to get them up to speed right away,” Cornish said. “I know my guys will be up for the challenge and ready to go ... I tell them, any day can be your last, so play like there is no tomorrow, in case there is none.”
Montville
Coach: Timothy Strong (2nd season)
Key returnees: Jr. Bernard Hawkins, Sr. Antonio Brown, Sr. Isaiah Gallagher, Sr. Nehemiah Owens, Jr. Chas Terni, Jr. Christian Dio, Jr. Miles Sarmiento.
Top newcomers: Sr. Alex Louissant, So. Anthony Barbuto, So. Joey Wainwright, Fr. Armani Davis, Fr. Conor Gaughan.
Outlook: Strong delivered Montville’s first ECC title since 1977 when the Indians went 14-6 during the regular season and captured the ECC Division IV title. Montville did suffer some key graduation losses and they will play in a competitive division during the abbreviated season, but Hawkins and Brown are returning starters while Gallagher, Terni and Dio were part of the Indians’ rotation last season. Strong expects Davis play a varsity role as a freshman.
New London
Coach: Craig Parker (26th season)
Key returnees: Jr. G Tayeshawn Cunningham-Pemberton, Jr. G Rhodia Perry, Sr. F Sean Raymond, Sr. G Davon Benjamin, Jr. G Anthony Martinez.
Top newcomers: Jr. G Coby Smith, Jr. G Izayah James, Sr. F Joey Bonhomme.
Outlook: The Whalers were 8-12 a year ago but return some key pieces that should make them a threat against all teams in Division I. Cunningham-Pemberton – a returning ECC Division I all-star – and Perry give New London a strong backcourt with Benjamin and Martinez providing backcourt depth. “The goal, as always, is to improve as a program,” said Parker. “We want to compete both mentally and physically to the best of our ability.”
NFA
Coach: Chris Guisti (8th season)
Key returnees: Sr. G Jared Martin, Jr. F Maxson Pierre Louis, So. F Ryan Outlow, Sr. F Connor Ullrich, Jr. G Grover Boone, So. G Doug Denson, Sr. G Tyler Spruill, Jr. G Jayden Desilus, Sr. G Jayden Francis, Sr. F Zach Ruta.
Outlook: The Wildcats were perfect a year ago before COVID-19 ended their season prematurely. NFA finished 23-0, winning the ECC Division I tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, but lost three starters, including ECC tourney MVP Mason Jackson, who left NFA to prep at Canterbury School in New Milford. Martin, an ECC all-star, returns to lead the Wildcats, who still have plenty of experience and talent to challenge for division honors.
St. Bernard
Coach: Mark Jones (8th season)
Key returnees: Sr. G Walker Baillargeon, Sr. G Frank Pacheco, Jr. F Corbett Brassaw, So. G Cedrick Similien, So. G Tyson Wheeler.
Top newcomers: So. C Patrick Daley, So. G Grant Kennedy, So. C Odin Malz, So. G Kolby Quinn, So. G Dominic Robinson.
Outlook: The Saints won their fourth straight ECC Division II tournament title a year ago and return four starters, including ECC Division III firs team all-stars Pacheco and Similien. St. Bernard will be up in Division I this year due to the ECC’s geographic and abbreviated schedule, so there will be challenges. But guards Pacheco, Similien, Baillargeon and Wheeler provide Jones will plays that can pass and shoot, but Jones is excited about the potential of his two young centers Daley and Malz.
Stonington
Coach: Jay Wosencroft (2nd season)
Key returnees: Jr. F Dorian White, Jr. G Wynn Hammond, Sr. C Alex Tobiassen.
Top newcomers: Jr. F Nate Cyr, Jr. G Camden Hinchey, Jr. F Jackson Bernard.
Outlook: The Bears went 10-10 a year ago and must replace ECC all-stars Zach Scott and Ayden Morrison, but there is enough talent for Stonington to be competitive in a difficult division. “This season is going to be different for everyone involved,” Wosencroft said. “We are hopeful to get through the season and make a run in the ECC tournament at the end of the season.”
Waterford
Coach: Bill Bassett (6th season)
Key returnees: Jr. F Sean O’Connell, Sr. G Trevor D’Amico.
Top newcomers: So. G Logan Peabody, Jr. G Nolan Gollsneider, Sr. G Mike Hajj, Sr. F Aidan Hanson, Sr. G Sam Menders.
Outlook: Graduation was costly for the Lancers, who went 9-11 a year ago. D’Amico and O’Connell bring back plenty of experience while Bassett expects Gollsneider and Peabody to have expanded roles along with seniors Hajj, Hanson and Menders. Waterford also has the athletes to go back to the fast-pace offensive ways this season.
ECC DIVISION II
Griswold
Coach: Rob Mileski (12th season)
Key returnees: Sr. C Tyler Green, Sr. G Anthony Franklin.
Top newcomers: So. G Lucas Strain, So. G Michael Strain, So. G Jacob Strain, So. G Evan Merchant, So. G Tommy Mattson, So. G Christian Russell, So. F Kyle Roode, So. F Gavin Demicco, So. F Jeff Souvenance.
Outlook: Mileski guided the Wolverines to a 14-6 record in 2019-20, but graduated a veteran cast led by ECC all-star C.J. Mattson. Griswold will field a young team during this abbreviated season in Division II, and they do so without Franklin, who sustained a knee injury during fall football and is still rehabbing. The 6-foot-5 Green gives the Wolverines a strong inside presence and Mileski is particularly excited about his nine sophomores, including the Strain triplets, who are competing for playing time. “It’s a very competitive scrappy bunch,” Mileski said, “and a joy to coach.”
Lyman Memorial
Coach: Stephen Bailey (1st season)
Key returnees: Sr. G Dylan Lucey, Sr. F Jason Cropley, Jr. F Justin Thuotte, Jr. G Bennett Murphy, So. G Jaiden Lopez.
Top newcomers: Jr. G Connor Chapman, Jr. F Joshua Person, So. F Ben Darrow, Fr. G Jared Russo, Fr. G Jordan Chandler.
Outlook: Bailey takes over a Lyman Memorial program which went 11-9 a year ago during the regular season. The Bulldogs did lose some key pieces to graduation, but there is still plenty of experience and Bailey plans to use the abbreviated season to develop depth for the present and future. “I’m excited to compete with this group of gentlemen and continue our culture of hard work and passion for the game here,” Bailey said.
Wheeler
Coach: Neal Cobleigh (13th season)
Key returnees: Sr. G Lukas Jones, Sr. F Sam Taylor, So. F Nick Larkins, Jr. G Kayleb Startz, Jr. G Tyler Burdick, Sr. F Trent Burbine.
Top newcomers: Fr. G Kyle Kessler, Fr. F Deondre Bransfield, Fr. G Keith Zardies, Jr. F Mike Caster.
Outlook: The Lions went 10-10 during the regular season last year and won their opening round game in the Division V state tournament. They graduated three starters but return Jones and Larkin as well as lettermen Startz Burdick and Taylor. Cobleigh is excited about his three freshmen, saying they “bring talent and energy and will push for playing time.”
OTHERS
Grasso Tech
Coach: Gregg Antoch (17th season)
Key returnees: Sr. PG Donnel Brown, Sr. C Jose Hernandez, Sr. G Tyrell Dennis, So. PG Tito Arias, Sr. G Randy Vidal Ventura, Jr. G Dominic Martine, Sr. G Chase McGrath.
Top newcomers: So. G Jaivon Velez, Jr. G Cole Jorgensen.
Outlook: The Eagles went 5-15 a year ago but returns a veteran team that expects to join success in the Connecticut Technical Conference’s four-team pod with Ellis Tech, Norwich Tech and Windham Tech this winter. “We expect every game to be closely contested,” Antoch said. “Mental toughness, grit and hustle will be a huge factor in winning games this season.”
Norwich Tech
Coach: Muhammad A. Hasan (3rd season)
Key returnees: G. Fletcher Ballaro, G Jaquwonne Johnson, G. Chace Davison, G Camren Topkin, F R.J. Savoie, F Dante Brown, F Elliot Amedzakor.
Top newcomers: G Josh Hanks, G Nathan Lazourack, F Bradley Saint-Louis.
Outlook: The Warriors graduated four seniors, but Hasan still believes his team can better last season’s 3-17 record in the CTC’s modified four-team pod this winter with Ellis Tech, Grasso Tech and Windham Tech. Norwich Tech has no seniors this season, so developing leadership will be a key, but Hasan is confident last year’s graduating class left “our returning players with an understanding of what it will take day in and day out to compete.”
Old Lyme
Coach: Kirk Kaczor (19th season)
Key returnees: Jr. G Jacob Ritchie, Jr. F Frank Sablone, Jr. F John Almy, Jr. C Mav Swaney.
Top newcomers: Sr. G Sam Koenigs, Sr. G Colbe Andrews, So. C Caden Monte, So. F/C Calvin Monte, So. G Nick Cox.
Outlook: The Wildcats were primed to win a state title a year ago, going 19-1 during the regular season, winning the Shoreline Conference tournament and earning the No. 1 seed in Division V. All that came to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ended the careers of seven seniors, including The Day’s All-Area Player of the Year Aedan Using. “We certainly lost a lot from last year,” Kaczor said, “but we still have a group of players back who are motivated to replicate the success of recent teams.”