Clarke Rams

CLARKE

Rams emerge as contenders

By BRIAN KACHARABA

During the 2021 abbreviated season, Clarke boys’ basketball head coach Joe Hasbrouck decided to call up the sophomores from the JV and give them their fi rst taste of varsity. That strategy ended up paying dividends last winter when the Rams qualifi ed for the Nassau Class A playoffs and advanced to the second round as a No. 18 seed. Eleven of the 13 players from that team were juniors, and that group remains mostly intact as they try to make one more run at a championship before the dreaded rebuild. After a slow start, Clarke won six of its last eight games to punch its postseason ticket and Hasbrouck is hoping their newfound

confi dence can carry over into this season. “Any time you get high school kids with confi dence versus kids who are still unsure of themselves or second guessing everything or hesitant, it’s a huge difference,” he said. “Last year, they really ended playing good basketball and feeling like they were playing good basketball and I thought that helped us this summer and fall.” James DeSimone was again the team’s leading scorer last season with a 14.4-point average after being among the county leaders as a sophomore at just under 21. “From last year to this year he has put in a lot of work,” Hasbrouck said. “He’s got to be one of the premier shooters in Nassau County.” Center Jason Goetz is its postseason ticket and Hasb- expected to miss the start of the rouck is hoping their newfound season with a knee injury, but the team has depth up front with Zeak Mercado, Jon Smith, and Jonathan Segura, whose two late free throws helped the Rams get past Great Neck South in the fi rst round. Hasbrouck said a more confi dent Tammyson Emile is in line for a strong season and Alec Kouyoudjian’s shooting could ease the loss of the graduating Bryan Richard.

Center Jason Goetz is expected to miss the start of the season with a knee injury, but the team has depth up front with Zeak Mercado, Jon Smith, and Jonathan Segura, whose two late free throws helped the Rams get past Great Neck South in the fi rst round. Hasbrouck said a more confi dent Tammyson Emile is in line for a strong season and Alec

James DeSimone

Kouyoudjian’s shooting could ease the loss of the graduating

Bryan Richard.

CLARKE SHAKES CLARKE SHAKES

UP OFFENSE UP OFFENSE

Clarke’s girls had Clarke’s girls had a respectable 9-10 a respectable 9-10 record last season, record last season, but two wins and but two wins and all of the losses all of the losses came during conference play. If the defense continues to improve and the offensive depth produces, the Rams could be looking at a playoff push this winter. Clarke yielded an average of just over 40 points last season, but the offense conversely struggled at just under 36 points. Top scorer Lauren Genna (10.1 ppg) graduated, so head coach Shaun Fean is revamping the offensive to a system that can make anyone on the fl oor a scoring threat. “Going into this year, it’s going to be more by committee,” he said. “I think it’s going to make us harder to play against defensively because you’re not sure where the ball’s going. Now, at any time on the fl oor, [we’ll have] four or fi ve kids that can get us a bucket.” Michelle Diaz (7.2 ppg) and Avika Mehta (4.9) both excelled as sophomores last year and are expected to be the main offensive catalysts this season. Diaz has already embraced her new role as the go-to player in crunch time, while Mehta is emerging as the team’s best defender, according to Fean. Genna helped groom Julia Khashan to take over her spot at the team’s main outside threat and the senior will fi nally step into that role this season. “She’s our best outside shooter,” Fean said. “Probably not at the same volume that Lauren shot it at, [but] will defi nitely be the one to knock down those outside shots for us.” Senior Rina Visvanathan (5.8 ppg) is also a dependable shooter and JV newcomers Aanya Metha and Maddy Millman are expected to round out the starting fi ve.

came during conference play. If the defense continues to improve and the offensive depth produces, the Rams could be looking at a playoff push this Clarke yielded an average of just over 40 points last season, but the offense conversely struggled at just under 36 points. Top scorer Lauren Genna (10.1 ppg) graduated, so head coach Shaun Junior transfer Izma Mir brings size Fean is revamping the offensive to up front and Fean was impressed with senior Mandy Connolly’s defense and rebounding during training camp. Conference rivals include North Shore and Island Trees. the team’s main outside threat and and JV newcomers Aanya Metha and Maddy Millman are expected to round out the starting fi ve.

Avika Mehta

Junior transfer Izma Mir brings size

Schedule

BOYS December

13 Academy Charter 7:00 p.m. 16 @ Lawrence 7:00 p.m. 20 Island Trees 7:00 p.m.

January

4 @ V.S. South 5:00 p.m. 7 North Shore 12:00 p.m. 10 @ Friends Academy 7:00 p.m. 18 @ Academy Charter 7:00 p.m. 20 Lawrence 7:00 p.m. 27 @ Island Trees 7:00 p.m.

February

1 V.S. South 7:00 p.m. 4 @ North Shore 12:00 p.m. 7 Friends Academy 7:00 p.m.

GIRLS December

16 Lawrence 7:00 p.m. 20 @ Island Trees 7:00 p.m.

January

4 V.S. South 7:00 p.m. 7 @ North Shore 10:00 a.m. 10 Friends Academy 7:00 p.m. 21 Lawrence 12:00 p.m. 27 Island Trees 7:00 p.m.

February

1 @ V.S. South 5:00 p.m. 4 North Shore 12:00 p.m. 7 @ Friends Academy 7:00 p.m.