Boys basketball preview: No restock necessary for East Catholic

Dec. 15—The question at the start of recent seasons has been will the East Catholic High boys basketball team be able to fill in the gaps left by several key departed players?

Coach Luke Reilly won't have worry about that in 2022-23.

The Eagles didn't graduate any seniors from last year's Division I state championship team and return four of five starters from the title game: seniors Luke Reilly, Rob Elliott, James Jones and Leondre Sanchez.

The lone exception is Allyn Wright, who transferred to St. George's School in Middletown, Rhode Island. But the Eagles added two transfers of their own in junior Raymond Rodriguez (Windsor) and sophomore Omar Oquendo (Holyoke High, Holyoke, Massachusetts).

Add in returning junior Samson Reilly, who was limited to just two minutes in the championship game last year due to injury, and sophomore big man Preston Fowler and Coach Reilly's team has multiple weapons to lean on this season.

But the Eagles will have plenty of tests early on however. They open their season tonight against Middletown, play Avon in the GHPA High School Classic Saturday at Trinity College, then Notre Dame-West Haven in a rematch of last year's Division I title game in The Day of New London's Holiday Classic Monday at Mohegan Sun.

Games against Bishop Hendricken (Warwick, Rhode Island) Dec. 27 at Mohegan Sun, a battle at Windsor Jan. 6 and against St. Augustine (San Diego, California) at the Hoophall Classic Jan 14 in Springfield also highlight East's quest for a third straight Division I title.

Elsewhere in the CCC, Windsor lost a few key pieces, including the transfer of Tyler Betsey to St. Thomas More in Montville.

But the Warriors return a strong junior class and look to make an impact after moving from Division I to Division II.

East Hartford, Manchester and Glastonbury also moved down from Division I to Division II and look to make some noise when March rolls around.

In the NCCC, Windsor Locks is coming off an improbable run to the Division V semifinals last year. But the Raiders will need other players to step in and fill the void left by the departure of All-State guard Jaydon Buckle, who transferred to The Master's School in Simsbury.

Ellington, Somers, Rockville and Suffield all should be competitive in the league and return to postseason action once again.

The 2022-23 regular season begins tonight and culminates with five state championship games March 18 and 19 at Mohegan Sun Arena.

CCC EAST

East Catholic

COACH: Luke Reilly

2021-22 RECORD: 20-6 (9-0 CCC East), Division I state champion

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: James Jones, 6-6 F; Luke Reilly, 6-2 G; Leondre Sanchez, 6-2 F; Rob Elliott, 6-5 C; Mason Cottrell, 6-1 G. Juniors: Samson Reilly, 6-2 G; JJ Hay, 6-1 G; Raymond "Yayo" Rodriguez, 6-1 G; Josh Harris, 6-3 Sophomores: Preston Fowler, 6-7 C; Omar Oquendo, 6-2 F. Freshman Joey Montalvo, 5-10.

OUTLOOK: The 2022-23 Eagles will have plenty of experience — there were no seniors on last year's team that won the Division I state title. Coach Reilly feels that his team is greatly improved since then. The loss of Wright hurts, but the Eagles will also get production from transfers Rodriguez and Oquendo.

East Hartford

COACH: Jevon Williams

2021-22 RECORD: 10-12 (4-5 CCC East)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Elijah Serrano, 5-11 G; Chris Brown, 5-11 G. Junior: Mekyi Shepard, 5-8 G. Sophomores: Dom Laduca, 5-8 G; Justin Victorin, 6-0 G; Josh Ikechukwu, 6-3 F; Tristan Walton, 6-3 F; Damir Hudson, 5-8 G; Cameron Major, 5-11 G.

OUTLOOK: Gone are Favour Okeke and Chris Lomax, but the Hornets return plenty of offensive firepower from last season. Williams is excited about his group of guards, including Serrano and Laduca. He's hopeful that the Hornets can use their quickness, along with the experience they gained last season, to put pressure on opponents.

Enfield

COACH: Kevin Zalucki

2021-22 RECORD: 8-13 (4-4 CCC East)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Isaiah Plummer, 6-1 G; Kaden Birkett, 6-2 F; Alex Herron, 6-3 F; Josiah Whaley, 5-10 G; Nick Valente, 5-10 G; Justin Paoletta, 5-10 G. Junior: Lamar Davis, 6-1 G. Sophomores: Josiah Upson, 6-2 F; Jason Mahon, 5-10 G

OUTLOOK: Seven seniors and four starters return to the court this season for Enfield, including all-CCC guard Plummer. Zalucki is hopeful that experience will manifest itself on the court right away. Sophomores Mahon and Upson are set to have a big impact on the varsity squad, while the Eagles also have transfer Lamar Davis (Bassick) on the roster this year.

Manchester

COACH: John Reiser

2021-22 RECORD: 15-8 (6-3 CCC East)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Jared Lindstrom, 6-5 C; Damian Sanchez, 5-11 G; Vincent Cavallo, 6-0 G; Taber Marineau, 6-6 C; Lucas Ryan, 6-1 F; Nasir Hughes, 6-5; Arlon Poteat, 5-10 G. Juniors: Jayveon Robinson, 6-3 F; Quentin Ford, 6-2 F; Julian Henderson, 5-7 G; Jailen Pinnix, 5-10 F; Laquonne Thames, 5-11 G. Sophomores: Chance Clark, 5-8; William Oden-Tann, 6-0; Joseph Mugovero 5-10; Freshman: Derek Sheets, 5-10.

OUTLOOK: The Red Hawks move down to Division II this season. Reiser says his team is "deep" and "balanced." He'll have the services of all-CCC players Lindstrom and Sanchez once again.

RHAM

COACH: Todd Dean

2021-22 RECORD: 18-5 (8-1 CCC East)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Ryan Heneghan, 5-9 G; Matt Fraleigh, 5-10 G; Roan Trzaskos, 6-5 C; Luke Polowitzer, 6-0 G. Juniors: Troy Miller, 5-11 G; Brady Hulland, 6-1 G; Casper Miazga, 6-2 F; Brody Kopp, 6-1 F. Sophomore: Jace Kobyluck, 6-4 F.

OUTLOOK: The Raptors lost seven players due to graduation, but Dean is hopeful the team can build on a strong season this year. RHAM lacks varsity experience but has plenty of players eager to step into larger contributing roles.

South Windsor

COACH: Jim Dargati

2021-22 RECORD: 7-13 (2-7 CCC East)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Hakim Montgomery, 5-10 G; Colby Carr, 6-1 F; Damian Ayala, 6-2 F. Juniors: JP Dargati, 5-11 G; Ollie Durbois, 6-2 F/C; Joey Bemis, 6-4 C; London King, 5-11 G. Sophomore: Ethan Burke, 6-1 G/F.

OUTLOOK: Coach Dargati feels that the team's inexperience and lack of size "are major concerns." But the Bobcats still return varsity experience in Montgomery, Carr and JP Dargati while newcomers Ayala and King provide depth.

Tolland

COACH: Jeffery Scott-Graves

2021-22 RECORD: 4-16 (0-9 CCC East)

KEY PLAYERS: Senior: Mitchell Enman, 6-3 F. Juniors: Owen LoVoi, 5-8 G; Kyle VanDeventer, 5-9. Sophomores: Matthew Tybor, 6-4 F; Cameron Lumia, 5-9.

OUTLOOK: After the Eagles struggled in Scott-Graves' first season last year, he expects the team to be more competitive this year as they've gotten used to his system. Tolland will rely on the size of Enman and Tybor throughout the season.

CCC NORTH

Windsor

COACH: Ken Smith

2021-22 RECORD: 20-5 (8-0 CCC North)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Jonathan Stapleton-Georges, 6-4 F; Anthony Solis, 6-6. Juniors: Rashawn Tibby, 6-8 F; Anthony Williams, 6-5 F; Jakeel Martin, 5-10 G; Kaiden James, 6-1 G; Quintin Floyd, 6-2 G; Bryce Whitehead, 6-1; Gyan "Boomer" Davis, 6-7; Aaron Bethea, 6-4 G. Sophomore: Sean Evans, 5-10.

OUTLOOK: Coach Smith has three goals this season: be contenders for the CCC North Division, CCC tournament and the Division II state tournament titles. The Warriors lost Prince Samuels (graduation) as well as transfers Tyler Betsey and Raymond Rodriguez from a team that made it to the 2022 Division I semifinals a season ago. But the Warriors should be dangerous once again led by a strong junior class including Tibby.

CCC WEST

Glastonbury

COACH: Jim Vaughan

2021-22 RECORD: 4-17 (0-9 CCC West)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Adam Molusis, 6-1 G; Owen Peterson, 6-3 F; Jordyn Sams, 5-11 G; Gage Haines, 6-2 F; Brendan Hutt, 6-2 F. Juniors: Connor O'Leary, 6-4 G; Drew Burns, 6-5 F. Sophomore: David Smith, 6-4 G.

OUTLOOK: The Guardians lost O'Leary before the season began last year due to a torn ACL. The junior is back this year and Vaughan feels he will turn himself into "one of the best players in the area, if not the state." Glastonbury also returns Smith (11 points per game last year), Molusis (10 points per game) and Peterson (8 points per game) and look rebound into being state title contenders once again.

NCCC

Bolton

COACH: Jordan Richard

2021-22 RECORD: 6-14 (3-10 NCCC)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Trevor Buchanan, 6-2 G; Mason Fox, 6-1 G/F; Colby Marsh, 6-5 F; Ryan Orzolek, 6-4 G/F. Juniors: Andrew Baranov, 5-8 G; Billy Heller, 6-0 F; Gavin LaPlante, 6-0 G. Sophomore: Joey Godek, 5-10 F.

OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs have roster full of experienced seniors and return four starters from last season. The offense will be run through Buchanan, who averaged 25.5 points per game and was named to the all-NCCC team as a junior, once again. Meanwhile, Fox and Marsh will be the leaders on the defensive end. Richard will also have the services of Orzolek, who missed a good portion of the 2021-22 season due to an injured leg.

Coventry

COACH: Lois Hasty

2021-22 RECORD: 10-12 (5-8 NCCC)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Wyatt Wendry. 6-1 G; Dylan Aloisa, 5-9 G; Mason Godi, 5-9 G. Juniors: Aiden Jeamel, 5-11 G; Gavin Covell, 6-0 F; Nate Cordner, 6-1 F; Aidan Hecht, 5-8 G.

OUTLOOK: Coventry's top three scorers — Jeamel, Wendry and Covell — are all back this year and provide varsity starting experience to the Patriots. But Hasty will have to rely on players like Aloisa and Godi to step into larger roles if the Patriots want to continue to their upward trajectory.

East Windsor

COACH: Scott Shelton

2021-22 RECORD: 3-17 (1-12 NCCC)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Juelz Torres; Shaun Iverson; Matt Blachuta; Jaheim Brown. Juniors: Russell Williams; Ibrahim Gocmez; Ray Gonzalez; Armin Saracevic; Ryan Willey. Sophomore: Nathan Rodriguez.

OUTLOOK: Shelton enters his first season at the helm expecting a total rebuild of the Panthers. The only player back with extended time on the varsity squad last year is Torres. He's expected to be the leader both on and off the court. Shelton is also excited about the prospects of Williams both offensively and defensively.

Ellington

COACH: Bob Freitas

2021-22 RECORD: 16-10 (9-4 NCCC)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Cody Murphy, 5-9 G; Elijah Miller, 6-2 F; Drew Casella, 6-0 G; Camden Thomas, 6-0 G; John Gilnack, 6-5 C; Bradley Sawka, 5-9 G. Juniors: Darren Zahner, 5-10 G; Caden Branon, 6-4 F.

OUTLOOK: Freitas' team returns four starters from last year's squad that made it to the quarterfinals of the Division IV state tournament He expects that experience will help the team grow this season. The Knights have speed in Zahner and size in Gilnack that should prove beneficial.

Rockville

COACH: Tim Cooper

2021-22 RECORD: 11-13 (7-6 NCCC)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Weston LaBrecque, 5-8 G; Eric Montez, 5-9 G; Cameron Washington, 6-1 F; Finley Ross, 5-11 F; Brendan Fauteux, 6-1 F; Hason Green, 5-8 G; Sebastian Patino, 5-8 G. Junior: Jackson Torres, 6-4 C. Sophomore: Darek Albert, 5-6 G.

OUTLOOK: Cooper takes over a Rams team that lost guards Dylan Resendes (transferred to the Master's School in the Simsbury) and Juneil Powell and Jayden Tate (graduation). But Rockville still has two-time all-conference guard LaBrecque in the fold. Green and Torres also return after missing last season. Still, some younger and inexperienced players will need to step into larger contributing roles right away.

Somers

COACH: Anthony Palazzesi

2021-22 RECORD: 16-7 (8-5 NCCC)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Colby McCormick, 5-9 G; Connor Marchi, 6-5 C; Trevor Gentile, 5-9 G; Chris Francis, 5-10. Juniors: Troy Maia, 5-10 F; Braden Davis, 5-9 G; Cody Ferrero, 5-9 G; Jake Yvon, 6-4 C; Dylan Doody, 5-9 G; Jayden Lynch, 5-9 G; Trent White, 6-0. Sophomores: Jack Olearcek, 5-10 F; Andrew Cardwell, 6-0 G; Eric Renzoni, 6-1; Chase Beggs, 6-0; Tom Saso, 5-10 G.

OUTLOOK: A new era will be ushered in at Somers High as the Spartans look to fill the void left by All-State guard Cody Palazzesi (30 points per game last year), who's now playing at Western New England. But Coach Palazzesi feels that returning players including McCormick, Marchi, Davis and Maia all have the experience and talent to help fill that void. He's also thrilled with the promise Ferrero and Yvon have showed in the offseason.

Stafford

COACH: Ryan Fitzgerald

2021-22 RECORD: 15-9 (9-4 NCCC)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Zack Donovan, 5-11 G; Collin Gudeman, 6-1 F; Tom Balanceau, 5-9 G; Dylan McLaughlin, 6-0 F; Drew Ledbetter, 6-1 F; Elias Campos, 5-8 G; Gavin Mills, 6-2 F; Colin Egan, 6-2 F. Junior: Elias Houle, 6-3 F. Freshman: Colin Tozier, 5-9 G.

OUTLOOK: Three starters, including two all-conference players, departed last year's team that won 15 games for the first time since 2008-09. Still, returning starters Gudeman and Donovan provide experience and, along with six other seniors, hope to help make up for the lost scoring and rebounding. Fitzgerald said the other starting spots are "still not cemented" and that he's looking for strong guard play and defense from whoever ends up in those spots.

Suffield

COACH: Mike Barile

2021-22 RECORD: 14-10 (9-4 NCCC)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Nick Van Cott, 5-10 G; Nick Sattan, 6-7 C; Donovan Koukal-Kollie, 5-10 G; Jack Loos, 6-5 F; Brady Anderson, 6-4 F. Juniors: Mike Coggins, 6-4 G; Quinn Lynam, 6-5 F; Sam Evans, 5-10 G; Chris Crozier, 6-5 F.

OUTLOOK: Barile moves from Rockville to Suffield and inherits a team that advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division V state tournament last season. The Wildcats return plenty of firepower from that squad, including All-Stater Coggins. Sattan, Van Cott and Lynam are also back and look to help take some of the load off Coggins. The size and physicality of the lineup, coupled with Barile's up-tempo pace of play, has him hopeful Suffield can make another run this year.

Windsor Locks

COACH: Dan Copes

2021-22 RECORD: 12-12 (4-9 NCCC)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Austin Smith, 6-0 F; Malike Alasani, 6-2 F; Jamari Murrell, 6-2 F; Evan Courtney, 5-9 G; Elijah Huggins, 6-2 F. Junior: Kyle Hinckley, 6-1 G. Sophomores: Sincere Monroe; Jack Grasso; Justin Morle.

OUTLOOK: The Raiders caught fire in March a season ago, advancing to the Division V state tournament semifinals as a 20 seed before losing a heartbreaker at the buzzer to eventual champ Windham. Copes hopes that his team will be able to use that experience to make another run this season. Locks is without All-State guard Jaydon Buckle, but seniors including Smith, Alasani and Murrell all provide experience and Copes is excited to see what his younger players bring to the table.

CTC

Cheney Tech

COACH: Ismael Caro

2021-22 RECORD: 14-10 (7-3 Charter Oak Central)

KEY PLAYERS: Seniors: Jaiden Engram, 6-0; Justin Szrenja, 6-0; Calvin Henderson, 6-0; Christian Lavish, 6-3; Jeffrey Brown, 6-5; Rashaun Harrison, 5-10. Junior: Dam'nic Gittens, 6-4. Sophomores: Dazhaun Copeland, 6-4; Ayden Brookins, 5-8; J'Roose Orbe, 5-10; James Santacroce, 6-1; Allan Thornton, 6-0.

OUTLOOK: Gittens, the Beavers' leading scorer last year and a player Caro calls "one of the top juniors in the state," looks to lead the team both on and off the court once again. He'll have help from returning starting point guard Szrenja and Henderson, who hopes to make an impact on the varsity squad after leading the JV team in scoring last season. Copeland is also back and looks to be one of the team's top rebounders again.

For coverage of UConn football and men's basketball as well as area high school and local youth sports, follow Adam Betz on Twitter: @AdBetz1, Facebook: Adam Betz — Sports Writer, and Instagram: @AdBetzJI.