West Hempstead Rams

WEST HEMPSTEAD

Rams ready to turn page

By TONY BELLISSIMO

Eric Rubin, the Rams’ third head coach in as many seasons, said November was a slow start due to the football team’s run to the county title game as well as some illness that found its way around the roster. “We’re not ready yet but we’ll get there,” Rubin said. “It was great to see the football team do so well. We have some of those kids and everyone is learning an entirely new system. It’s going to take time to get used to our drills. West Hempstead, which struggled mightily last season with just one victory and 71 points per game allowed, has four non-league games to prepare for a Conference B grind that’ll include Malverne, Wheatley, Carle Place and Seaford. “We’re spending a lot of time on defense,” said Rubin, who coached MacArthur for 14 seasons. “I told the kids the fi rst thing we’re doing is cutting into that 71 points allowed big time. We also want to be up-tempo and exciting offensively.” Senior Chris Olivier is the team’s top defender and a vital part of what the Rams are looking to do at both ends of the fl oor. “He’s tenacious on D and can also score,” Rubin said. Junior center Anthony Graffeo Jackson and junior point guard Chris Young were JV starters last season and primed for the same role on varsity. Graffeo Jackson has shown the ability to score in the paint as well as from outside, while Rubin said Young is as talented as anyone on the roster. Senior Chris Altidor can play either guard spot, while seniors Gardy Ilderice and Jaden Forte, and juniors Gavin Lee and Declan Cole, lead the effort at forward. Rubin said Lee has “elevated everyone in practice.” Junior guard Joe Thomas is a smart player with a quality handle, and sophomore Evan Wilson could contribute at the point.

WEST HEMPSTEAD IN NUMBERS CRUNCH

After reaching the Nassau Class B girls semifi nals last season, West Hempstead’s depth and endurance will be tested as head coach Chris Van Kovics works with a roster size unlikely to reach double fi gures. The Rams split 20 games last season but lost most of their experienced varsity players and scoring production. “We only had one bad loss and I thought we held serve and had a fairly entertaining season,” Van Kovics said of the 2021-22 campaign. “It’s going to be hard to replace what we graduated. We have our work cut out and it’s important we stay healthy because it looks like we’ll probably have eight kids on varsity.” Senior Chance Mingo will need to be a scoring machine, the coach said. She is a quality outside shooter and also capable of driving the lane and getting to the foul line. She averaged 13.5 points per game and hit for 20 on multiple occasions. “We’ve had a conversation and Chance knows we need even more offense out of her,” Van Kovics said of the Honorable Mention All-County guard/forward. “She’s our leader.”

Senior guard Gianna Cardillo has some starting experience and can make things happen defensively and in transition. “She’s our quickest player and will be at the top of our presses,” Van Kovics said. At point guard, senior Emma Shinsato can drive and dish and is a scrappy defender. “She’ll try to create as much havoc as possible,” Van Kovics noted. Senior center Aniya James will be asked to provide strong defense in the post and contribute some points on putbacks. Senior guard/ forward Ashlee Boodoo brings a high basketball IQ and does a lot of things well, including shoot and fi ght for rebounds, the coach said. The fi ve seniors will start with sophomores Constance BerryRawley and Christina Guerrier, and freshman Daniella Healy playing key roles off the bench.

Chris Olivier

The Rams split 20 games last season but lost most of their experienced varsity players and scoring production. “We only had one bad loss and I thought we held serve and had a fairly entertaining season,” Van Kovics said of the 2021-22 campaign. “It’s going to be hard to replace what we graduated. We have our work cut out and it’s important we stay healthy because it looks like we’ll probably have eight kids on varsity.” Senior Chance Mingo will need to be a scoring machine, the coach said. She is a quality outside shooter and also capable of driving the She averaged 13.5 points per game and hit for 20 on multiple occasions. “We’ve had a conversation and Chance knows we need even more top of our presses,” Van Kovics said. create as much havoc as possible,” Senior center Aniya James will be asked to provide strong defense

Chance Mingo

MATT GUILFOYLE

Schedule

BOYS December

13 Malverne 5:00 p.m. 17 @ Seaford 12:00 p.m. 21 @ Oyster Bay 7:00 p.m.

January

3 @ East Rockaway 7:00 p.m. 6 Carle Place 5:00 p.m. 11 C.S. Harbor 5:00 p.m. 14 Wheatley 12:00 p.m. 20 @ Malverne 7:00 p.m. 28 Seaford 12:00 p.m.

February

3 East Rockaway 5:00 p.m. 11 @ Locust Valley 12:00 p.m.

GIRLS December

13 @ Malverne 5:00 p.m. 17 Seaford 12:00 p.m. 21 Oyster Bay 7:00 p.m.

January

3 East Rockaway 7:00 p.m. 6 @ Carle Place 7:00 p.m. 11 @ C.S. Harbor 7:00 p.m. 14 @ Wheatley 12:00 p.m. 20 Malverne 5:00 p.m. 28 @ Seaford 12:00 p.m.

February

2 @ East Rockaway 7:00 p.m. 11 Locust Valley 12:00 p.m.