Boys basketball previews: NVL Iron Division

Here are the previews for the NVL’s Iron Division:

NAUGATUCK

Head coach: Mike Wilson (7th season)

2015-16: 5-15

Key players: Seniors Tyler Deielbaum, Josh McFarland, Corey Plasky, Shane Swierbitowicz, Andre Trosan; Juniors Michael Plasky, Jemar White; Sophomores Shane Carey, Gwayne Fisher, Jessi Lanci, Jean Lukau-Mbalandaka, Elijah Robinson.

Outlook: The Greyhounds went from playing in a state final in 2015, to not qualifying for the state tournament in 2016. Also, all of last season’s top scorers graduated. This is a clean slate and a new start for Naugy.

Coach’s comment: “The earlier we understand that you have to work extremely hard in practice to compete in this league the better off we will be. So far our attitudes have been solid and we are just looking to improve daily. The philosophy of being unselfish and playing for your teammates has to be our mindset if we want to be successful.”

WATERTOWN

Head coach: J. Paul Vance (1st season)

2015-16: 13-10

Key players: Seniors Guy Curtis, Griffin Garcia, Anthony Jenkins, Traveon Wilson; Juniors Cam DeFeo, Angelo Gizzi, Josh Maisto, Adam Alenckis; Sophomore Sam St. Hilaire.

Outlook: The Indians have taken great strides to become a tough NVL, postseason program. The job of the new coaching staff is to keep that momentum moving forward.

Coach’s comment: “New Coaches, new system, and many new players who are getting ready for their first varsity basketball experience. We are a young team with many guys playing varsity for the first time. Our goal is play tough, hard-nosed basketball, and to establish ourselves as a program that will compete every night. We have great young men and we look forward to the challenge of coming together as a team.”

Crosby’s (30) Alan Munoz, Watertown’s Guy Curtis and Crosby’s (11) Jeremiah Kendall go up for a rebound. The Bulldogs won in Watertown Monday night. Erin Covey Republican-American

WOLCOTT

Head coach: Matt Craig (9th season)

2015-16: 12-10

Key players: Seniors Pat Drewry, Preston Lavoie, Bobby White, Justin Ferndanes; Junior Mike Tessarzik; Sophomores Jack Drewry, Chris Harris.

Outlook: The Eagles are now an established NVL tourney team, and have been consistently good and a perennial state tourney team too. However, they must now replace a load of points with the graduation of Thomas and Finke.

Coach’s comment: “We are excited for the season to begin. We bring in a lot of younger talent that is ready to compete for minutes at the varsity level. We need to find others that can help score. As always our focus will be on playing defense for 32 minutes, and ending possessions.”

WOODLAND REGIONAL

Head coach: Tom Hunt (10th season)

2015-16: 4-16

Key players: Seniors Adem Rifati, Rich Rousseau, Dylan Sender, Brendan Rowley, Alex Rindos; Juniors Kyle Macek, John Frasco; Sophomore Zack Bedryczuk, Justin Marks.

Outlook: The Hawks will look to new, and inexperienced, faces to improve on last season.

Coach’s comment: “The guys are working hard and learning on the go. The Hawks will look to change direction and the tempo of play. Although we won’t have a lot of varsity experience the effort will continue to be first and foremost.”

Torrington’s Stephon Dailey passes Wednesday night during action against Seymour. Erin Covey Republican-American.

TORRINGTON

Head coach: Eric Gamari (8th season)

2015-16: 9-12

Key players: Seniors Stephon Dailey (10.6 ppg), Nick DallaValle (6.3 ppg), Andrew Languell; Jordan Henneberry (5.3 ppg), Hunter Murphy, Richy Rodriquez; Sophomores Dontae Thomas, Joel Villanueva.

Outlook: First things first for the Raiders: Battle through the Iron Division and get back into the NVL tournament.

Coach’s comment: “For the most part, a young team in terms of varsity experience.  As the season progresses, we should able to compete night in and night out.”

All- Iron, from left, Zac Kopp-Watertown; Nicholas Mondak-Watertown; Shamari Thomas-Wolcott; Zac Mancini-Torrington and Fijero Onakpoma-Naugatuck.
Jim Shannon Republican-American