Kennedy Cougars

KENNEDY

Cougars face stiff competition

By TONY BELLISSIMO

Kennedy boys’ basketball enjoyed a fun start last season with wins in four straight non-league games out of the gate, but the competition in conference play proved diffi cult to navigate and the result was a 3-9 mark in such tests. Rory Block, in his 31st season at the helm, says the Cougars have their work cut out again with a long list of contenders led by South Side, Garden City and Sewanhaka. Last season, Kennedy’s conference rivals included three of Nassau Class A’s semifi nalists including eventual state champ Manhasset. “Things are going pretty well, we have seven returnees on varsity including six seniors,” Block said. “We graduated two awardwinners and those guys were also our leading scorers. The schedule is brutal and we’ll need to play solid defense, get rebounding from everyone and fi nd ways to score.” Senior Ben Mehani averaged nearly 10 points per game last winter and is the team’s most accomplished returnee. He’s a 6-foot-2 forward who can play any position. “He’s athletic and a good shooter who is being counted on to increase his production and might be forced to guard bigger kids,” Block said of the three-year varsity performer. Another returning starter is senior center Alex Silva, who chipped in about 4 points and 5 rebounds per game. “We need Alex to rebound, make open shots and be a presence in the paint,” said Block, who added senior forward Liam Schillinger is another key to the frontcourt. Junior point guard Leo Ferry will serve as one of the Cougars’ biggest offensive threats, Block said. Ferry has a high basketball IQ, three-point range and a good handle. He’ll be backed up by last season’s JV starting point guard Zach Cohen. Senior Mike Wallace is expected to start at shooting guard, with seniors Vincent Dragonetti and Anthony Firriolo providing depth and bound to contribute. Dragonetti looms a perimeter threat and Firriolo is a strong defender.

KENNEDY BRACING FOR CLOSE GAMES

Competing in arguably the most competitive girls’ basketball conference in the county a season ago, guard-oriented Kennedy fell short of qualifying for the playoffs with a 4-8 mark. With a return to the postseason in mind, head coach Mallory Freely is banking on a combination of size and athleticism to serve as the Cougars’ theme as it takes on a noteworthy group of conference rivals that includes perennial playoff participants South Side, Sewanhaka and Elmont. “I’m expecting a lot of tight games and I’m confi dent we can be a playoff team,” Freely said. “We have some exciting multisport athletes who are jelling nicely so far. We’re usually a fastbreak, outside-shooting team, but we’re going to be using our size more often.” One of Kennedy’s post players is senior captain Gianna Costaro, a D-1 softball talent who Freely is counting on to score and rebound in double digits every night. “She has a beautiful shot and is one of our best rebounders and defenders,” the coach said of the fourth-year varsity player. “She’s a vocal leader and brings energy.” Sophomore center Ashley St. Surin has developed some strong moves under the basket and is bound to benefi t from last winter’s experience at the varsity level. The same goes for sophomore point guard Jolie Yablon, an accurate distributor and defensive catalyst when the Cougars press, and sophomore forward Tristan Montalbano, a key in transition. Senior Brooke Horowitz is a captain stepping into the starting shooting guard role after providing a spark off the bench last season. She’s an outside threat and will get some of the tougher defensive assignments. “She learned a lot over the years and is quick and poised,” Freely said. Juniors Sophia Fischetti and Gianna Gampero bolster the backcourt and frontcourt, respectively. Fischetti provides many intangibles, such as in-bound plays and setting screens, and Gampero is tenacious in the paint.

Ben Mehani

shooting guard role after providing She’s an outside threat and will get the years and is quick and poised,” Fischetti provides many intangibles,

Gianna Costaro

Schedule

MATT GUILFOYLEBOYS December

13 Sewanhaka 7:00 p.m. 20 @ Elmont 5:00 p.m.

January

5 G.N. North 7:00 p.m. 7 @ South Side 12:00 p.m. 10 Garden City 7:00 p.m. 13 @ Roslyn 7:00 p.m. 18 @ Sewanhaka 5:00 p.m. 26 Elmont 7:00 p.m.

February

1 @ G.N. North 5:00 p.m. 3 South Side 4:30 p.m. 7 @ Garden City 6:45 p.m. 10 Roslyn 7:00 p.m.

GIRLS December

13 @ Sewanhaka 5:00 p.m. 20 Elmont 7:00 p.m.

January

4 @ G.N. North 5:00 p.m. 7 South Side 12:00 p.m. 10 @ Garden City 5:00 p.m. 13 Roslyn 7:00 p.m. 18 Sewanhaka 7:00 p.m. 27 @ Elmont 5:00 p.m.

February

1 G.N. North 7:00 p.m. 4 @ South Side 12:00 p.m. 7 Garden City 7:00 p.m. 9 @ Roslyn 7:00 p.m.