Calhoun Colts

CALHOUN

Colts playoff streak at five

By MARC BERMAN

Calhoun boys’ basketball returns just two of fi ve starters and the losses are signifi cant, too, jeopardizing a streak of fi ve straight playoff appearances in the Nassau Class A tournament. Shooting guard Chris Zaveckas (Maritime) and 6-foot-5 center Bryan Pena are playing in college, leaving longtime head coach Jay Kreutzberger’s team lacking height following a 12-8 season. The good news is the Colts, who were eliminated in the fi rst round of playoffs by Plainedge, bring back star point guard Matt Kalfas, All-County last season who averaged 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. “He can score, distribute and he’s a good defender,’’ Kreutzberger said. “The team will rely on him this year to be their leader.’’ The other returning starter is Tommy Bello, a power forward who has been mostly in a defensive role as a rebounder and rim protector. But with Pena no longer being their inside scorer at center, Calhoun will need Bello to make up some of those points in the interior after averaging 5 points and 5 rebounds last season. Sean DiPaola will start at power forward. At 6-2, he’s very strong at attacking the rim, best on the squad. After that solid trio which helped the boys’ volleyball team to a county championship in November, Kreutzberger is searching, relying on players with no starting experience. That includes Cody

Schanstra, a small forward who came off the bench in 202122 and remains as chief wildcard. According to the coach, Schanstra has “gotten stronger physically’’ and is developing as a scorer – as a driver and 3-point shooter. Senior guard PJ Kakalos is expected to start at the season’s outset after missing all last season with an injury. There are high hopes, however, sophomore combo guard Riley Bhunut eventually will earn the starting nod despite his age. Bhunut was a talented scorer on JVy last season (14 ppg). Kreutzberger is entering his 15th season but faces more question marks than in past campaigns.

Matt Kalfas

to a county championship in November, Kreutzberger is searching, relying on players with no starting experience. That includes Cody

Schanstra, a small forward who came off the bench in 202122 and remains as chief outset after missing all last season with an injury. There are high hopes, however, sophomore combo guard Riley Bhunut eventually will earn the starting nod despite his age. Bhunut was a talented scorer on JVy last season (14 ppg). than in past campaigns.

CALHOUN EYES PLAYOFF RETURN

Calhoun’s girls have logged two straight winning seasons since Dan Catapano was promoted from assistant to head coach. He thinks a real shot exists at making a third straight postseason bid despite losing three starters and leading scorer, center Holly DiPaola. Catapano sees this club as an athletic bunch with scoring in transition off turnovers the key to prosperity. Last season, Calhoun’s swarming defense, led by shooting guard Mia Licari, earned them a 12-7 clip in Conference A1 before losing in the second round of the payoffs to North Shore. Licari, an All-County performer last season, and All-County honorable mention, 5-9 forward Margaret Casimano, return as starters. If new starting point guard Ashleigh Coyne stabilizes the group, the Colts could be even better than 2021-22. “We’ll rely a lot on them for our scoring and leadership,’’ Catapano said regarding Licari and Casimano. “And Coyne being on the team for three years, we have good leaders who make the kids compete every day. We’ll compete for the playoffs again.’’ Licari averaged 3.2 steals, scoring lots of buckets off her swipes. She’s a sound 3-point shooter and slasher. Meanwhile, Casimano is a “stretch 4’’ who shoots the 3 – a varsity player for four years. However, it could fall on Coyne’s shoulders as she’s a fi rst-year starter - a Sixth Man on the 2021-22 squad. “She’ll have a much bigger role this year offensively,’’ Catapano said. “She’s got a high IQ. She makes a lot of good decisions. She looks to get into the paint and dish it off to the shooters. She’s smart, always trying to make the right play.” The two other new starters are senior center Maria Lewis and sophomore power forward Dana

three starters and leading scorer, an athletic bunch with scoring in transition off turnovers the key to prosperity. Last season, Calhoun’s swarming defense, led by shooting 12-7 clip in Conference A1 before losing in the second round of the former last season, and All-County honorable mention, 5-9 forward Wauchope, who didn’t play as a freshman. Catapano hopes a Lewis/Wauchope frontcourt can make up for DiPaolo’s interior loss.

Catapano said regarding Licari and shooters. She’s smart, always trying

Mia Licari

Schedule

BOYS December

13 @ New Hyde Park 5:00 p.m. 20 Mepham 6:30 p.m.

January

4 @ Long Beach 7:00 p.m. 6 G.N. South 7:00 p.m. 10 @ MacArthur 5:00 p.m. 13 Jericho 7:00 p.m. 18 New Hyde Park 7:00 p.m. 27 @ Mepham 7:00 p.m.

February

1 Long Beach 7:00 p.m. 4 @ G.N. South 12:00 p.m. 7 MacArthur 7:00 p.m. 10 @ Jericho 7:00 p.m.

GIRLS December

13 New Hyde Park 7:00 p.m. 20 @ Mepham 7:00 p.m.

January

4 Long Beach 7:00 p.m. 7 @ G.N. South 12:00 p.m. 10 MacArthur 7:00 p.m. 12 @ Jericho 7:00 p.m. 18 @ New Hyde Park 5:00 p.m. 26 Mepham 7:00 p.m.

February

1 @ Long Beach 5:00 p.m. 4 G.N. South 1:00 p.m. 7 @ MacArthur 7:00 p.m. 10 Jericho 7:00 p.m.