MacArthur Generals

MacARTHUR

Generals have unfinished business

By ANDREW COEN

The MacArthur boys’ basketball enters the new season plenty fueled for success after just missing the playoffs last winter. Needing a win in the regularseason fi nale to punch its ticket to the Class A playoff, MacArthur dropped a 46-44 heartbreaker to fi rst-place New Hyde Park missing a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have won it. “It’s like unfi nished business,” said third-year head coach Brian Maini. “We’re going to try and build off some of the late success we had last year.” MacArthur brings back two starters in senior guards Sebastian Loor and Sonny D’Errico. Both have strong leadership capabilities as captains and were integral part of helping the Generals rebound from an 0-8 start to be in playoff contention down the stretch. “They are the type of guys who lead by example,” said Maini of Loor and D’Errico. “They are two great kids who make everybody feel welcome.” Maini also has high hopes for sophomore Mike Kondyra, a sharp shooter who had a big season on junior varsity as a freshman and grew to about 6-2 in the offseason. Senior forward Patrick Cheswick also returns and should add some valuable minutes for the Generals in addition to showing strong character with his positive attitude and energy displayed in practice. The Generals will once again compete in Conference A-1, which features New Hyde Park, Calhoun, Mepham, Great Neck

South, Jericho and Long Beach. While last season ended in disappointment, Maini was proud of how the team rallied after a tough beginning and hopes the 2022-23 season offers a far smoother process. “We had a very slow start and we made some changes and the kids bought in,” he said. “It was a tough way to end, but hopefully we change that this year.” The Generals need to fi nish in the top four or .500 or better in A-1 to qualify for the playoffs.

HIGH HOPES FOR MACARTHUR

The MacArthur girls are gunning for a repeat conference title and more this winter. The Generals bring back fi ve seniors from last year’s team that dominated league play with a perfect 12-0 mark in Conference A-I and reached the county quarterfi nals in the Class A playoffs “I think we’re better than we were last year,” ninth-year head coach Dave Radtke. “We defi nitely have more depth, that’s for sure.” The deep team Radtke returns includes Marissa Cardon, an All-County player who is fi elding offers to play on the collegiate level a year from now. Senior Ava Anguilli, another All-County honoree, is also back as a returning starter. Anguilli and Hallie Bray, who have both committed to play soccer at Queens College, are part of an athletic senior class slated to play sports at the next level. Haley Feiler recently accepted a scholarship to play softball at Bentley. Junior Sara Kealy will also start after a strong junior campaign in her fi rst season on varsity. Lexie Thompson, who shined as goalie for the Generals’ girls soccer team in leading the program to a Long Island title in the fall, is the fi rst player off the bench and a defensive force, especially when the team goes into a fullcourt press. “She’s a tremendous defender,” said Radtke of Thompson, a University at Buffalo commit for soccer. She’s a very physically strong kid and one of the strongest kids I’ve ever coached.” Ani Angelakis, Megan Campbell and Gabby Nicolini add to MacArthur’s depth. Radtke is looking to go as deep as possible to take advantage of the team’s athleticism. “I’ve got a ton of great athletes,” he said. “We want to run up and down the fl oor and press and trap and just cause havoc.”

Sonny D’Errico

Senior forward Patrick Cheswick also returns and should add some valuable minutes for the Generals in addition to showing strong character with his positive attitude and energy displayed in practice. The Generals will once again compete in Conference A-1, which features New Hyde Park, Calhoun, Mepham, Great Neck

South, Jericho and Long Beach. While last season after a tough beginning and hopes the 2022-23 season offers a far smoother process. “We had a very slow start and we made some changes and the kids bought in,” he said. “It was a tough way to end, but hopefully we change that this year.” The Generals need to fi nish in the top four or .500 or better in A-1 to qualify for the playoffs. The MacArthur girls are gunning for a repeat conference The Generals bring back fi ve seniors from last year’s team that dominated league play with a perfect 12-0 mark in Conference A-I and reached the county quarterfi nals in the Class A playoffs “I think we’re better than we were last year,” ninth-year head coach Dave Radtke. “We defi nitely have more depth, that’s strong kid and one of the strongest

Marissa Cardon

“I’ve got a ton of great ath-

Schedule

MATT GUILFOYLE BOYS December

16 @ Jericho 7:00 p.m. 20 New Hyde Park 7:00 p.m.

January

4 Mepham 7:00 p.m. 7 @ Long Beach 12:00 p.m. 10 @ Calhoun 7:00 p.m. 13 G.N. South 7:00 p.m. 21 Jericho 12:00 p.m. 27 @ New Hyde Park 5:00 p.m.

February

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

GIRLS December

16 Jericho 7:00 p.m. 20 @ New Hyde Park 5:00 p.m.

January

4 @ Mepham 7:00 p.m. 7 Long Beach 12:00 p.m. 10 Calhoun 7:00 p.m. 13 @ G.N. South 7:00 p.m. 21 @ Jericho 12:00 p.m. 27 New Hyde Park 7:00 p.m.

February

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