Thursday, October 1, 2026
East Rockaway enters the new boys’ basketball season looking radically different — by necessity.
After graduating the bulk of their size, the Rocks have shifted from a post-oriented attack to a guard-heavy lineup, prompting head coach Paul Collins to overhaul the team’s entire offensive identity.
“We really had to change everything we were doing because the size of our team has changed so dramatically,” Collins said. “We changed to an offense where everyone is moving at the same time.”
The constant-motion system leans on pace, screening and synchronized cuts to maximize the Rocks’ deep pool of guards and wings. That approach suits the new senior triumvirate — Cameron Peeples, Edwin Espinoza and Sean Smith — each stepping into expanded responsibilities.
Peeples has evolved from a spotup shooter into a reliable driver and creator, Espinoza is expected to take on a major scoring load, and Smith has shifted from his natural small-forward spot to work more inside for the sake of the system.
“He’s grown by leaps and bounds,” Collins said of Peeples. “He really impressed me coming into this preseason.”
Depth may be East Rockaway’s greatest asset. Collins expects to rotate eight or nine players per game, with junior guard Mike Tizio providing shooting pop and sophomore Tristan Rose supplying size and screening in the middle.
Veterans such as Jethro Senior, Terry Hayes, Stefan Darkopoulos, Matt Delligatti, Austin Mullings, Mason Vetere and Jayden Perez are also expected to contribute as Collins mixes lineups freely.
“I’m confident anyone can step in when time’s needed to give us good minutes and make sure we stay where we need to stay,” Collins said.
The Rocks finished 7–13 last season and fell to Carle Place in the Class B semifinal. With only four teams in the conference this winter, playoff entry is guaranteed — but expectations are far more ambitious.
Collins said the goal is clear: earn a top-two seed and enter the postseason playing their best basketball.
The girls are determined to move past last year’s one-win campaign, a season marked by offensive struggles that resulted in a scoring average of just over 26 points a game and a roster that never fully meshed after graduating key players from the 2023–24 team.
But in training camp, head coach Cheri Poland has seen a lot more cohesion and a far stronger foundation.
“This year we’re trying to really towards the team concept, and we can’t do it alone,” she said.
The Rocks return several key contributors, led by junior guard Colleen Lynch, who spent the offseason in summer leagues and training sessions and is expected to be one of the team’s primary scorer.
Fellow returner Paulina Cuthbert has shown significant personal and athletic growth, while junior forward Sarah Martin adds versatility with her ability to finish inside and hit three-pointers.
Senior captain Dannilynn Fardella provides leadership as the steadying presence on and off the court.
A major boost comes from the arrival of seventh graders Scarlett Bay and Arianna Gonzalez. Bay is expected to step in immediately as a ballhandler and scoring option, while Gonzalez projects as a growing contributor throughout the year.
“They are the future of our program,” Poland said. “They want it just as bad, so that’s going to be the big difference from last year.”
Poland has also shuffled roles to maximize the team’s strengths. Sophomore Leila Perez moves from point guard to the wing, where she can play freer and score more, while junior returner Victoria Vargas is expected to take on a larger offensive role.
Sophomore Fiona Guarinello returns to add depth, and the roster is rounded out by returning players Kiera Stephens and Kylie Lazaro.
With a more balanced roster and a defensive approach built around creating turnovers and scoring in transition, East Rockaway expects to be far more competitive in the four-team Conference B field and in position to challenge for a higher postseason seeding.
Dec. 12: West Hempstead, 6:45 p.m.
Dec. 17: Evergreen Charter, 6:45 p.m.
Dec. 20: @ Carle Place, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 6: @ Oyster Bay, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 8: Lawrence, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 9: C.S. Harbor, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 12: @ Wheatley, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 24: @ West Hempstead, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 28: Evergreen Charter, 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 31: Carle Place, 11:45 a.m.
Feb. 3: Oyster Bay, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 6: @ C.S. Harbor, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 10: Wheatley, 6:45 p.m.
Dec. 12: @ West Hempstead, 6:45 p.m.
Dec. 20: Carle Place, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 6: Oyster Bay, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 8: @ C.S. Harbor, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 9: C.S. Harbor, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 12: Wheatley, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 24: West Hempstead, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 31: @ Carle Place, 11:45 a.m.
Feb. 3: @ Oyster Bay, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 6: C.S. Harbor, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 10: @ Wheatley, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 11: Carle Place, 7:00 p.m.
