Sewanhaka Indians

SEWANHAKA

Indians seek continued success

By DAVID WEINGRAD

Despite graduating nine players, Sewanhaka boys’ basketball head coach Jay Allen said his team has the personnel to pick up right where it left off after winning the conference title and making a run to the Nassau Class A quarterfi nals. Though the Indians will carry just one senior this season, Allen spoke highly of his roster’s unique talent and versatility. Among them is 6-foot-3 junior forward Dylan McLennon, a talented two-way player who his coach said has potential to be one of the top players in the county. Another junior forward, Jordan Tucker, is a physical player who can score and brings valuable defensive versatility. Junior Elliott Lamotte is viewed as a leader on and off the court – he’s the student council president – and will be a cornerstone on defense. “He won’t always be in the stat sheet,” said Allen, “but he’s super valuable because of the leadership and tough nose play he brings.” Junior Nasir McMillan, who Allen hailed as their version of the NBA’s Patrick Beverley, is another hard-nosed player who sets the tone with his intensity. Sophomore Matthew Abreu is among the best shooters on the team but also an orchestrator with his passing ability. Ryan Ambery is a 6-4 junior who can shoot from the outside who gives Allen a lot of options with his size and scoring ability. And their lone senior, David Skeete will serve as a spark plug off the bench. With such a young, talented group, Allen said the sky’s the limit. “The ultimate goal is to always win a championship and I think this team is eventually going to be on other team’s radars,” the coach said. “We will play hard, be mentally tough, and I think that’s what will make us stand out,” he said. “We have a potential to be really good, but it will take patience.”

NEW LOOK FOR SEWANHAKA

“Change” has been the operative word for Sewanhaka as it opens this season with a revamped roster that includes two eighth graders in the starting lineup. The team returns just two starters from last year and welcomes many new faces who head coach Alex Soupios said have put in a strong summer camp. Those two starters, senior co-captains Jada Brown and Kyla Grant, will help set the tempo for the younger team. Brown, a reigning Conference II

Co-Defensive Player of the Year, excels in rim protection and shot blocking. Grant, a strong outsider shooter, is a fl oor general who leads by example. Kyla’s sister Janiya, a sophomore who is only playing just her second year of organized basketball, has a massive upside, said Soupios, as a stretch forward with tremendous athleticism and speed. Emblematic of Sewanhaka’s youth movement are two eighth graders who will open the season in the starting lineup – Nayeli Rivera and Alexi Stewart, at point guard and shooting guard, respectively, both who Soupios said have experience against older competition and basketball IQs well beyond their years. “These two kids have a winning mentality at a very young age,” he said. “As a coach it gives always be in the stat sheet,” said good, but it will take patience.” your program many things to look forward to for years to come.” NEW LOOK FOR SEWANHAKA Juniors Mariah Wolfe and Lana “Change” has been the Cayo will be among the fi rst players operative word for Sewanhaka off the bench and contribute to all as it opens this season with facets of the game. And sophomore a revamped roster that in- Thalia Fowler is a defensive specialcludes two eighth graders ist who can instantly be paired in the starting lineup. against the opposition’s best scorer. The team returns just Senior MeKayla Moreau, the third two starters from last co-captain, and sophomores Aniya year and welcomes Marriott and Saniya Moreau will many new faces who also play roles off the bench. head coach Alex “The goal is always to make Soupios said have the playoffs,” said Soupios. “A lot put in a strong sum- of young kids have put that time mer camp. and effort this summer to embrace Those two change. I like the direction we’re starters, senior in.” co-captains Jada Brown and Kyla Grant, will help set the tempo for the younger team. Brown,

Dylan McLennon

Juniors Mariah Wolfe and Lana Cayo will be among the fi rst players

Jada Brown

Schedule

MATT GUILFOYLEBOYS December

13 @ Kennedy 7:00 p.m. 15 Elmont 4:30 p.m. 20 @ Garden City 6:45 p.m.

January

4 South Side 5:00 p.m. 10 @ Roslyn 7:00 p.m. 13 G.N. North 5:00 p.m. 18 Kennedy 5:00 p.m. 21 @ Elmont 10:00 a.m. 27 Garden City 5:00 p.m.

February

1 @ South Side 7:00 p.m. 7 Roslyn 5:00 p.m. 10 @ G.N. North 5:00 p.m.

GIRLS December

13 Kennedy 5:00 p.m. 15 @ Elmont 4:30 p.m. 20 Garden City 5:00 p.m.

January

4 @ South Side 7:00 p.m. 10 Roslyn 5:00 p.m. 13 @ G.N. North 5:00 p.m. 18 @ Kennedy 7:00 p.m. 21 Elmont 12:00 p.m. 27 @ Garden City 5:00 p.m.

February

1 South Side 5:00 p.m. 7 @ Roslyn 7:00 p.m. 10 G.N. North 5:00 p.m.