Head coach Jamie Adams has no doubt that Mepham’s boys’ basketball record last year does not reflect his team’s dedication and hard work. “If you walked into our gym the last day of practice,” he said, “you’d have never known we were 0-20.”
Where many others may see a lost season, Adams sees opportunity. A chance for growth and to build a long-lasting culture around Mepham’s boys basketball program. And he already sees that vision unfolding in the early days of practice.
It starts with All-Conference forward Rhyan Galarza, who was among the biggest surprises last season, showcasing his ability to score downhill and beyond the arc. His defensive prowess will also find him frequently matched up against opponents’ top scorers.
Senior Colin Kohut will serve as the floor general at point guard, and Adams expressed strong confidence in his quickness and decision-making.
Juniors Frankie Fasano and Drew Adams will be key pieces of the starting lineup. Adams described Fasano as their most natural scorer, while his son Drew is the proverbial Swiss army knife who will do a bit of everything on the court.
Competing for the final starting spot were senior Chase Anderson and sophomore Jackson Mallen, who stand at 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-5, respectively. Both will play major roles in shaping the team’s defensive identity.
Other key contributors include senior Brayden Seligman, who can provide instant offensive off the bench; junior Ryan Settanni, a court-savvy point guard who will spell Kohut off the bench; and, in a welcome surprise, freshman Caleb Caraballo, a transfer from St. Mary’s who brings height and versatile scoring ability.
Now in his second year at Mepham, Adams said this season will be an important step toward establishing a winning culture.
“I want to compete and I want to be in every game,” he said. “I want people to say this is not last year’s Mepham. This is going to be a team that competes from the jump ball to the final horn.”
All cards are on the table as the Mepham girls enter what head coach Jim Mulvey called the “post-Daube” era.
Following a 16-6 season and a quarterfinal playoff berth, Mulvey said he’s encouraged by the number of players who can fill the void left by the graduation of Makayla Daube, one of the top scorers in school history.
“We’re going to be really competitive this year,” said Mulvey, “but we have to replace a lot of scoring. The effort is great. They’re a hungry group of kids.”
Much of the offensive focus will shift to junior Mia Troiano, who led the team in three-pointers last season. The All-Conference returner has impressed coaches by expanding her interior game.
Senior Sienna Linekin will also be called upon to steer the offense as the point guard and a crafty ballhandler. “They’re two really hard-working kids who are going to set the tone,” said Mulvey.
Returning sophomore Bree McGovern showed maturity beyond her years last year as a hybrid guard who contributes a bit of everything, and Mulvey expects her to make an even bigger leap this year.
One reason Mulvey is so confident is the strength of last year’s junior varsity squad, which went 18-1. That includes sophomore Olivia Lettieri, a prolific scorer and reliable outside shooter, and Gabby Caminiti, who led JV in steals last year and should also bolster the offense.
An early surprise in camp has been Christina Eromon, an athletic freshman and sharp defender who may even crack the starting lineup.
Depth is key for the Pirates. Angelina Katsalas will add senior leadership and size, and several players from last year’s JV team — Madeline Chiodi, Alexis Honercamp, Maria Kiropoulos, Olivia Munch and Gia Kayantas — are also in the mix for playing time.
With a deep roster of effort-driven athletes and a long stretch of program success, Mulvey said a playoff return is the expectation.
“Where we are right now,” he said, “there’s just so much room for growth.”
Dec. 13: @ Roosevelt, 11:45 a.m.
Dec. 16: Glen Cove, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 6: Garden City, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 8: @ Roosevelt, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 14: @ Hewlett, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 17: Roslyn, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 23: @ Glen Cove, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 27: G.N. North, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 3: @ Garden City, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 5: Roosevelt, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 11: Hewlett, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 14: @ Roslyn, 11:45 a.m.
Dec. 13: @ Glen Cove, 11:45 a.m.
Dec. 17: G.N. North, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 6: @ Garden City, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 8: Roosevelt, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 14: Hewlett, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 17: @ Roslyn, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 23: Glen Cove, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 27: @ G.N. North, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 3: Garden City, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 5: @ Roosevelt, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 11: @ Hewlett, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 13: Roslyn, 7:00 p.m.
