Valley Stream Central Eagles

V.S. CENTRAL

Encouraging signs for Eagles

By TONY BELLISSIMO

The Eagles will attempt to fl y to the Nassau Class AA boys’ basketball playoffs under the guidance of their third different head coach in as many seasons. Mike Wimmer, who spent 10 seasons at the helm at Island Trees and led the Bulldogs to a conference title and their fi rst playoff victory since the 1990s, takes over at Central and has been encouraged by the work ethic. “The kids are working hard and we’re having competitive practices,” he said. “I haven’t walked out of the gym once concerned about effort. They’re all pushing towards the same goals and want to achieve as much as they can.” Wimmer is looking for the performance on the defensive end to keep the Eagles competitive in every game. They’re in a diffi cult Conference AA-2 that features defending county and Long Island champion Baldwin, county runner-up Plainview, Port Washington, Oceanside, Westbury, East Meadow and Herricks. “I’m excited about the talent we have,” Wimmer said. “At this time, I don’t know how we match up with the opponents on the schedule.” Coming off a 5-win season, Central boasts a number of potential double-digit scorers. Junior guard Saige Frisco and senior forward Jayden Vera both averaged about 8 points per game last winter. Wimmer said

Frisco is a quality catch-andshoot player with great length and athleticism, while Vera is a poised player with the ability to fi nish and rebound. Junior forward Matt Neckles brings a skill set the coach said is diffi cult to replicate. Neckles is super athletic and strong around the basket and in transition. Senior O’Neil Spence is a physical center and a presence in the paint. New to the program, senior guard Bryan Jean-Pierre plays fast and showing potential to be a catalyst at both ends of the fl oor. Senior transfer Aaron Anokye is quick and shifty with a nice pull-up jumper and defensive instincts.

FUNDAMENTAL WORK KEY FOR VSC

Coming off a 3-win campaign, VSC’s girls program is dealing with a numbers issue for a third straight season and will carry fi ve freshman on the varsity roster. “We’re young and almost in a complete reboot,” head coach Malyssa Thorngren said. “The Covid seasons really hurt our numbers and we’re returning just one varsity player. We’re spending a lot of time on skill work and getting kids used to what varsity defenses are going to try to do against us. We’re making some progress every day.” Junior Faizat Shekoni is the team’s only varsity experienced player and she’s a quality shooter with long range, Thorngren noted. “She’s probably our best defender too and that comes with experience being in her third varsity season,” the coach said. “Her confi dence has grown and she’s not afraid to shoot or make a mistake. She’s taken on a leadership role as well.” Freshman Amyah Byas is one of many making the leap from the middle school team to varsity. She is a guard/forward combo expected to start in the backcourt to fi ll a need. “She plays travel basketball and gets to the rim well and developing nicely as a shooter,” Thorngren said. Another ninth-grader, Alyssa Haughton, is a combo guard capable of running the point and logging major minutes. “She’s a great athlete with endurance and I expect her to be a solid player,” Thorngren said. A couple of starters on the JV last season, junior Arianna Perez and sophomore Amaiya Tate, will lead the way at forward. Perez does all the little things it takes to help a team be successful and always goes full speed, the coach said. Tate is aggressive and can rack up rebounds. Also part of the forward group is senior Stephanie Sannon, who’s 6-foot-1 and serving as a vocal leader as well.

Saige Frisco

Junior guard Saige Frisco and senior forward Jayden Vera both averaged about 8 points per game last winter. Wimmer said

Frisco is a quality catch-andshoot player with great length and athleticism, while Vera is a poised player with the ability to fi nish and rebound. Junior forward Matt Neckles brings a skill set the coach said is diffi cult to replicate. Neckles is super athletic and strong around the basket and in transition. Senior O’Neil Spence is a physical center and a presence in the paint. New to the program, senior guard Bryan Jean-Pierre plays fast and showing potential to be a catalyst at both ends of the fl oor. Senior transfer Aaron Anokye is quick and shifty with a nice pull-up jumper and defensive instincts. Coming off a 3-win “We’re young and almost in a complete reboot,” head coach Malyssa Thorngren said. “The Covid seasons really hurt our numbers and we’re returning just one varsity player.

Faizat Shekoni

Schedule

BOYS December

14 Baldwin 7:00 p.m. 17 Oceanside 12:00 p.m. 21 @ Herricks 7:00 p.m.

January

3 @ Plainview 7:00 p.m. 6 East Meadow 7:00 p.m. 11 Westbury 7:00 p.m. 14 @ Port Washington 12:00 p.m. 17 @ Baldwin 7:00 p.m. 20 @ Oceanside 7:00 p.m. 28 Herricks 12:00 p.m. 31 Plainview 7:00 p.m.

February

3 @ East Meadow 5:00 p.m. 8 @ Westbury 7:00 p.m. 11 Port Washington 12:00 p.m.

GIRLS December

14 @ Baldwin 7:00 p.m. 17 @ Oceanside 12:00 p.m. 21 Herricks 7:00 p.m.

January

3 Plainview 7:00 p.m. 6 @ East Meadow 7:00 p.m. 11 @ Westbury 7:00 p.m. 14 Port Washington 12:00 p.m. 17 Baldwin 7:00 p.m. 20 Oceanside 7:00 p.m. 28 @ Herricks 12:00 p.m. 31 @ Plainview 6:45 p.m.

February

3 East Meadow 7:00 p.m. 8 Westbury 7:00 p.m. 11 @ Port Washington 12:00 p.m.