Freeport Red Devils

FREEPORT

Red Devils grow with experience

By DAVID WEINGRAD

Some growing pains were to be expected for a rebuilding Red Devils boys’ basketball squad whose starting lineup comprised all underclassmen one year ago, but early signs in camp this season show they may be ready to take the next step in Conference AA-1. Head coach Larry Steimer expressed optimism his youthful squad has shown tremendous growth already. They’ll be led by returning All-Conference senior Jadan Threat, an athletic guard with unique scoring ability who will be the focal point of the offense. Alongside him leading the offense will be junior Elijah Darby, a 6-foot-7 center who Steimer feels still hasn’t even hit his ceiling in terms of offensive capability. The team will get a boost from newly transferred junior Jaylen Jean-Louis, who is expected to make an immediate impact as a fl exible player who can fi ll in at multiple positions. Jayden Gordon started at guard last year as a freshman, a speedy player and one of the team’s best defenders with great court vision. And seniors Jared Henry, Dafe Omokeni, Donald Darby and Isaiah Curtis will also see some solid minutes this season with a chance to contribute, with Curtis hailed by Steimer as the team’s best on-the-ball defender. Steimer said he was pleased with the dedication his team showed over the summer to improve as a unit, and he expects that their lack of overall size will be offset by their speed and transition game, and turning defense into offense. Despite a down season last year, many of the games were competitive and Steimer expects an extra year of experience will help his kids fi nish tight games, especially on the defensive side. “We saw something there last year,” he said. “We have a good mix and have some talented underclassmen. Hopefully the future looks bright for the Red Devils.”

HIGH HOPES FOR FREEPORT

A Red Devils team that made a run to the Nassau Class AA girls’ quarterfi nals last season will be adding more reinforcements for a potential deeper push. While the team lost two starters to graduation, a mix of players returning to full health plus a new transfer gives Freeport even more weapons to stifl e its Conference AA-1 opponents. “We feel like we’re coming back stronger,” head coach Meredith Jones said. Senior captain Anayah Lloyd will be the focal point of the offense and is fully recovered from a torn ACL. Her coach lauded her leadership abilities paired with a strong court sense and plus defensive skills. “She’s the one you want running your show,” said Jones. Co-captain Taneece Wooden is another senior returning to full strength from injury. “A quadruple threat,” as described by Jones, the 6-footer can score in the post, drive to the hoop and drain the outside shot. Offense will also come from junior Ania Crocker, who averaged 15 points per game last year, earning her All-County, and is expected to be a factor on both sides of the court again this year. Key additions include junior Nia Phillips, who transferred from Farmingdale and has the potential to crack the starting lineup, and junior Star Asia Gaines, who Jones said is strongly motivated this season after missing most of last year. Two guards expected to contribute are senior Zaria Chaplain and junior Queenasha Ellis, and one to keep an eye on is eighth grader Sabrina Ligonde, who will receive valuable experience this year and could follow in Jones’s footsteps as a budding star. Defense will remain the priority for Jones’s squad, but she excitedly noted this may be the best shooting team she’s ever had. “The girls are hungry to go further than any of my teams have gone before,” said the coach.

Jadan Threat

team’s best defenders with great court vision. And seniors Jared Henry, Dafe Omokeni, Donald Darby and Isaiah Curtis will also see some solid minutes this season with a chance to contribute, with Curtis hailed by Steimer as the team’s best on-the-ball defender. Steimer said he was pleased with the dedication his team showed over the summer to improve as a unit, and he expects that their lack of overall size will be offset by their speed and transition game, and turning defense into offense. Despite a down season last year, many of the games were competitive and Steimer expects an extra year of experience will help his kids fi nish tight games, especially on the defensive side. “We saw something there last year,” he said. “We have a good mix and have some talented underclassmen. Hopefully the future looks bright for the Red Devils.”

HIGH HOPES FOR FREEPORT

A Red Devils team that made a run to the Nassau Class AA girls’ quarterfi nals last season will be adding more reinforcements for a potential deeper push. While the team lost two starters to graduation, a mix of players returning to full health plus a new

Taneece Wooden

Schedule

BOYS December

14 @ Uniondale 5:00 p.m. 17 Hicksville 12:00 p.m. 22 Massapequa 7:00 p.m.

January

3 @ Hempstead 7:00 p.m. 6 Syosset 7:00 p.m. 17 Uniondale 5:00 p.m. 20 Hicksville 5:00 p.m. 28 @ Massapequa 12:00 p.m.

February

3 @ Syosset 5:00 p.m. 6 @ Farmingdale 5:00 p.m. 11 Farmingdale 12:00 p.m.

GIRLS December

14 Uniondale 7:00 p.m. 21 @ Massapequa 7:00 p.m. 22 @ Hicksville 4:30 p.m.

January

3 Hempstead 5:00 p.m. 7 @ Syosset 10:00 a.m. 14 Farmingdale 12:00 p.m. 17 @ Uniondale 5:00 p.m. 20 Hicksville 7:00 p.m. 28 Massapequa 12:00 p.m. 31 @ Hempstead 7:00 p.m.

February

2 Syosset 7:00 p.m. 11 @ Farmingdale 12:00 p.m.