Valley Stream Central Eagles

V.S. CENTRAL

Eagles need some time to jell

By TONY BELLISSIMO

Abooming number of hopefuls took part in tryouts for Valley Stream Central’s basketball program this winter. New varsity head coach Tim O’Hagan said 220 kids over six grade levels had their skills on display and there’s a combined 33 (18 on JV) on the high school teams. “I was blown away by the interest and it’s an outstanding group of kids,” O’Hagan said. “It’s taking a little while to get up to speed. We took some lumps in a scrimmage against Manhasset but we played better our next time out. “I think we’ll start to get moving around the middle of January and make a push for the playoffs,” he added. “Baldwin is Baldwin, but from what I hear the rest of the conference is going to be up for grabs.” Coming off a highly successful season that saw them win 7 of 8 games, the Eagles are back in Class AA following a handful of campaigns in Class A. They’ll face Baldwin, East Meadow, Herricks, Hicksville, Plainview and Westbury twice apiece. “The guys want to win and they want to work,” O’Hagan said. Senior guard Malik Moore is the go-to on offense, O’Hagan said, after averaging 6.5 points per game. He’s an athletic slasher who can also score from outside. O’Hagan said he’s impressed by the talents of sophomore wing Saige Frisco, a tremendous shooter and more. Senior Jayden Vera is another guard but with good size and a post-up game. Senior Jasiah Rodway is lightning-quick at the point and will need to distribute and defend. Senior center Daniel Penubothula is Central’s X-factor. He’s 6-foot-7 and a major presence in the paint. He’s in the midst of recovering from a knee injury. Senior forward Christian Akaeze has varsity experience and does a lot of things not found in a boxscore, O’Hagan said.

EAGLES ARE A WORK IN PROGRESS

Numbers are an issue for Central’s girls’ program and head coach Malyssa Thorngren expects to maintain a varsity roster of 10 — up from 7 last winter — “unless someone progresses and

warrants a call-up,” she said. The Eagles capped an otherwise diffi cult Covid-shortened season with their only victory over New Hyde Park but return only two participants from that game roster — sophomore Faizat Shekoni who had 8 points and junior Danica Pryce who had 3. “We’re hurting for experience and numbers, and the offseason was tough because we weren’t able to hold our usual clinics,” Thorngren said. “It’s going to be interesting going back to Class AA and we booked a lot of quality opponents in non-leagues.” The Eagles will prepare for a challenging conference slate by facing the likes of South Side, Hewlett and Bethpage, as well he added. “Baldwin is Baldwin, another guard but with good size as participating in the prestigious and a post-up game. Senior Jasiah Freeport Tournament. Rodway is lightning-quick at the The return of senior point point and will need to distribute guard Ariana Haughton to the and defend. district is a huge plus, Thorngren Senior center Daniel said. Haughton spent two years at Penubothula is Central’s X-factor. Christ The King and brings a great He’s 6-foot-7 and a major pres- handle, court vision and defensive ence in the paint. He’s in the midst skills. “Ariana is a strong fl oor of recovering from a knee in- leader and the position was going jury. Senior forward to be a concern, so it’s nice to have Christian her back,” Thorngren said. Akaeze Sophomore Alyssa Santiago has comes off an All-County soccer season and is a standout athlete who hustles all over the court and drives to the rim. Pryce is another and does scrappy player who rebounds well a lot of for a guard and will be counted on things not to help lead the defense. found in a boxscore, Senior Faizah Munawar is O’Hagan said. back on the hardwood after not playing last season and is a “great rebounder and defender in the paint,” Thorngren said, and has a nice elbow jumper. Shekoni is a returning varsity forward who saw quite a bit of playing time last winter and turned her offense up a notch down the stretch.

Ariana Haughton EAGLES ARE A WORK IN PROGRESS

Numbers are an issue for Central’s girls’ program and head coach Malyssa Thorngren expects to maintain a varsity roster of 10 — up from 7 last winter — “unless someone progresses and warrants a call-up,” she said. The Eagles capped an otherwise diffi cult Covid-shortened season with their only victory over New Hyde Park but return only game roster — sophomore points and junior Danica Pryce “We’re hurting for experience and numbers, and the offseason was tough because we weren’t able to hold our usual clinics,” Thorngren said. “It’s going to be interesting going back to Class AA and we booked a lot of quality The Eagles will prepare for a challenging conference slate by facing the likes of South Side, Hewlett and Bethpage, as well as participating in the prestigious The return of senior point guard Ariana Haughton to the district is a huge plus, Thorngren to be a concern, so it’s nice to have

Malik Moore

Schedule

BOYS December

15 Baldwin 6:30 p.m. 22 @ Hicksville 5:00 p.m.

January

4 Westbury 6:30 p.m. 7 @ Herricks 7:00 p.m. 12 Plainview 7:00 p.m. 15 @ East Meadow 12:00 p.m. 18 @ Baldwin 7:00 p.m. 22 Hicksville 12:00 p.m.

February

1 @ Westbury 6:15 p.m. 4 Herricks 7:00 p.m. 9 @ Plainview 7:00 p.m. 12 East Meadow 12:00 p.m.

GIRLS December

15 @ Baldwin 7:00 p.m. 22 Hicksville 7:00 p.m.

January

4 @ Westbury 6:15 p.m. 7 Herricks 7:00 p.m. 12 @ Plainview 6:45 p.m. 15 East Meadow 12:00 p.m. 18 Baldwin 7:00 p.m. 22 @ Hicksville 12:00 p.m.

February

1 Westbury 7:00 p.m. 4 @ Herricks 7:00 p.m. 9 Plainview 7:00 p.m. 12 @ East Meadow 12:00 p.m.