Mepham Pirates

MEPHAM

Pirates relying on depth

By DAVID WEINGRAD

Adeep, versatile roster gives Pirates head coach Bob Kaible plenty reason to believe his team can make some noise in Conference A1 boys’ basketball. While last year was fi lled with some growing pains, he noted many of their defeats came in close games. This winter, with as many as 10 players who could receive regular playing time, Kaible has confi dence that fresher legs in the fourth quarter could help tilt more tight games in Mepham’s favor. Conference rivals include Jericho, neighboring Calhoun, Long Beach and MacArthur. “Energy, effort and strength in numbers” said Kaible of his team’s mantra heading into the season. “We’ll use our advantage of having a lot of guys who can come into the game and wear other teams out.” But for the Pirates to succeed, they will rely heavily on their top playmakers, most notably junior captain Kieran Kehoe, a 6-foot-5 forward who can score in the paint as well as from the outside, and will be a major focal point for the offense. Another major piece is sophomore guard Owen Heller, a breakout candidate who Kaible said is capable of averaging double digits per game. Two key returnees who will also help set the tone are senior co-captains Kevin Perry and junior Mitch Savalli, both who bring much experience and who Kaible hopes can help lead by example. The team could also get a boost late in the season with the return of senior Trey O’Neil, an athletic guard who will miss some action for health reasons. Regardless of where their record stands by season’s end, Kaible spoke confi dently that his squad will be a tough go for any one they play this season. “We’ll grind out each game and make them work for everything,” he said. “They’re working very hard to start the year, so we’re trending in the right direction.”

ONE STARTER BACK FOR MEPHAM

Losing three top players is never easy, but with it also comes opportunities for others to step up. That’s what Mepham girls head coach Jim Mulvey is banking on following a successful 2021-22 campaign. The Pirates will be returning just one starter from their 16-2 season last year – senior MaKayla Daube, a versatile player who can excel at any position from center to point guard. “She’s just a throwback type of kid who’s fundamentally sound,” said Mulvey. “She’s a tough guard, in the sense where if she’s defended by a guard, we’ll post her up, and a big we’ll put her outside.” Returning junior Ashley Felsberg will start at point guard, a scrappy defender who Mulvey said may be small in stature but is an extremely tough athlete. And starting sophomore forward Sophia Beck earned the distinction of the most improved player entering the season after impressing the coaching staff with a strong summer camp. Senior captains Markella Moutafi s and Victoria Caminiti should both see increased playing this season to showcase their outside shooting abilities, and junior Brianna Friar, who led the junior varsity team in scoring last year, will also step into a starting guard role. Other expected contributors include junior Grace Glynn, a strong inside presence; freshman Gabriella Caminiti, who her coach described as among the quickest on the team; junior Katherine Burke, a valuable bench player; and sophomore Grace Skulavik, a lacrosse star with great athleticism who Mulvey hopes will continue to develop her basketball skills. Despite losing some notable players, Mulvey said competing for the conference title remains the goal. “We will be a team that mixes it up,” he said. “We’re super strong. As we develop and grow as the season goes on, that’s all we can ask for, that we get the most out of this team.”

following a successful 2021-22 The Pirates will be returning just one starter from their 16-2 season last year – senior MaKayla Daube, a versatile player who can excel at any position from center to point guard. “She’s just a throwback type of kid who’s fundamentally sound,” said Mulvey. “She’s a tough guard, in the sense where if she’s defended by a guard, we’ll post her up, and a big we’ll put her Returning junior Ashley Felsberg will start at point guard, a scrappy defender who Mulvey said may be small in stature but is an extremely tough athlete. And starting sophomore forward Sophia Beck earned the distinction of the most improved player entering the season after impressing the coaching staff with a strong summer shooting abilities, and junior Brianna Friar, who led the junior varsity team in scoring last year, will also step into a starting guard Other expected contributors include junior Grace Glynn, a strong inside presence; freshman Gabriella Caminiti, who her coach described as among the quickest on the team; junior Katherine Burke, a valuable bench player; and sophomore Grace Skulavik, a lacrosse star with great athleticism who Mulvey hopes will continue to Despite losing some notable players, Mulvey said competing for the conference title remains “We will be a team that mixes it up,” he said. “We’re super strong. As we develop and grow as the season goes on, that’s all we can ask for, that we get the

Makayla Daube

Schedule

BOYS December

12 Long Beach 7:00 p.m. 16 @ New Hyde Park 6:30 p.m. 20 Calhoun 7:00 p.m.

January

4 @ MacArthur 7:00 p.m. 7 Jericho 12:00 p.m. 10 @ G.N. South 7:00 p.m. 18 @ Long Beach 5:00 p.m. 21 New Hyde Park 12:00 p.m. 26 @ Calhoun 7:00 p.m.

February

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

Kieran Kehoe GIRLS December

13 @ Long Beach 7:00 p.m. 16 New Hyde Park 7:00 p.m. 20 @ Calhoun 6:30 p.m.

January

4 MacArthur 7:00 p.m. 7 @ Jericho 12:00 p.m. 10 G.N. South 7:00 p.m. 18 Long Beach 7:00 p.m. 21 @ New Hyde Park 12:00 p.m. 26 Calhoun 7:00 p.m.

February

1 @ MacArthur 7:00 p.m. 3 Jericho 7:00 p.m. 7 @ G.N. South 7:00 p.m.