Anderson, Bender top 'Basketball's Best'High School Sports
Posted
By:Brian T. Dessart
<>Girls' basketball
<>No. 1: RANDI BENDER, Mepham
Totaling 30 three-pointers this season and 90 assists, Bender averaged 16.4 points, 5.6 assists and 2.4 steals per game. This 5-foot-4 senior point guard, who is known for her exceptional court vision, highlighted her season on Feb. 3, totaling 22 points, seven assists, eight rebounds, four steals and shooting 100 percent from the free-throw line to help lead Conference II Mepham over Hicksville, 51-45.
After being selected to the All-Long Island second team last year, Bender has shown that her skills are worthy of recognition this season as well, being named to the all-star team at the Mike Lurel and Baldwin Holiday tournaments. "Randi is the mother of the team," said Mepham coach June Spruyt. "Her dribbling, passing and decision-making are a step above the other girls in the conference. She truly exemplifies what girls' basketball is about."
<>No. 2: DANIELLE CASTELLI, Valley Stream Central
This 5-foot-8 senior guard averaged 13 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this season. Castelli capitalized on a career-high 29 points to lead Valley Stream Central to a 59-55 win over Long Beach on Jan. 22. Castelli, who recently committed to Southampton College, entered the varsity squad in ninth grade and secured a starting position the following year. "Danielle brings a lot of intensity each time she steps on the floor," said VSC coach Denise Schatz. "She is a phenomenal basketball player."
<>No. 3: ALEXANDRIA WILLIAMS, Elmont
As a junior, Williams averaged 11 points, 7.5 assists, six steals and six rebounds this season. According to coach Gregg Petrocelli, Williams was often preserved after the first half of play due to Elmont's talent and wide scoring margins. Williams' peak performance came on Feb. 24, when she recorded 17 points, 11 assists and three steals against Massapequa. "We have a very athletic team, and Alexandria is our best athlete," Petrocelli said. "She is a pure, natural gifted athlete and our quickest kid. She sees the court extremely well."
<>Runner-Up: Melissa Gelb, East Rockaway
<>Boys' basketball
<>No. 1: ALEX ANDERSON, South Side
The 6-foot-3 senior forward averaged 21 points and 14 rebounds per game this season for South Side. Besides being selected to All-County, Anderson had the highest scoring average in Conference A-IV and was nominated Co-Conference Player of the Year. His season highlight came in a Jan. 20 matchup against Manhasset, in which he recorded 31 points and 18 rebounds, leading South Side to a 94-80 victory. On Feb. 20 he scored 22 points against Great Neck South.
One of Anderson's biggest assets is his 31-inch standing vertical jump, which has contributed greatly to his strong rebounding. "Alex is a very good offensive and rebounding person," said South Side coach Jerry D'Angelo. "This year alone, player for player ... I don't think there is a better player."
<>No. 2: BRANDON HARRIS, Baldwin
Harris, Baldwin's 6-foot-4 center, recorded a season-average 17 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks, which led to his selection as All-County and the Conference AA-III Player of the Year. Harris transferred to Baldwin from Canada the summer before his sophomore year, and started in half the games that season. His growth since then has been obvious, as his highlight reel from this season includes 25 points, 18 rebounds and six blocks in a 67-60 victory over Wantagh on Dec. 15. "From his sophomore year to now, Brandon digested what was said and wanted to get better," said Baldwin coach Darius Burton. "[Now] I think he is one of the top big men on the courts."
<>No. 3: DARRELL WONGE, Malverne
At 6-foot-6, this senior is Malverne's two-time All-County "utility" player. After filing a season high 25-point performance against Westbury on Dec. 28 in the Hank Williams Memorial Tournament, Wonge went on to record a season-average 16 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three blocks per game. Besides being awarded the Hank Williams Memorial Tournament MVP, Wonge also earned the same honor at the Pro-Am Tournament on Jan. 10. "Darrell plays well at all positions," said Malverne coach Darrol Lopez. "He plays a good all-around game. It's not easy playing at Malverne."
<>Runner-Up: DAVID TENER, Bellmore-JFK
<>Brian T. Dessart can be reached by e-mail at BDessartHERALD@aol.com, or at (516) 569-4000, ext. 1312.
