By TONY BELLISSIMO
The Colts lost their dual meet opener to non-conference foe Garden City, but rebounded in a big way by winning the Hank Parris Tournament, with outstanding wrestler Cliff Smith (125 pounds) leading the charge.
"We bounced back and showed our true colors," Muscarella said. "We were flat against Garden City, and it proved that we can't win if we don't wrestle well. But the kids were outstanding in the tournament."
Smith, a senior captain, is a two-time qualifying champ and was All-County as a sophomore. He is a state champion at the cadet level in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.
Senior Mike Crisona (112) and junior Greg Lawrence (171) are captains and returning All-County place-winners. Junior Steven Glazer (130) is the other captain. The Colts are deep in leadership with four-year varsity performers Bobby Curian and Pat Norman, as well as classmate Greg Eatz.
"We have some strength that we're going to lose after this season," Muscarella said, "but we have a solid group of underclassmen. I'm not looking past this season because it's going to be a lot of fun, but I'm always thinking ahead."
A few youngsters expected to help the Colts challenge for the top spot in the conference are sophomores Anthony Tobia, Danny Yngstrom and John Belesif.
Girls Basketball
Fresh off wins over Cold Spring Harbor and Kennedy, the Mike Lurel Holiday Tournament champion Calhoun girls basketball team opens conference play this week at Elmont.
"Our confidence is up, but I also think it's dangerous because we only saw two teams," Lady Colts Coach Debra Cipolla said after tourney MVP Lindsay Levinthal had 14 points and 11 assists to lead the team to a 46-31 victory over Bellmore. "I would have liked a couple of more games before the conference opener, but we can't change the schedule now."
Cipolla, who took over the helm from longtime Coach Joe Corea, likes the balance and depth the team appears to possess. "I think we have a good nucleus of experienced players," she said. "We have a strong back court and a solid inside game. Defensively, we had an excellent tournament. We forced a lot of turnovers, and that's a positive sign."
Levinthal and Colleen Loftus are the only two seniors in the starting lineup. Junior point guard Chrissy Arnone totaled 10 points en route to being named to the all-tournament team. Arnone is a quality ball-handler who will be backed by sophomore Michelle Slino.
Freshman center Nadine Vasquez had eight points and 10 rebounds in the win over Bellmore and is in her second varsity season. Juniors Roseanne Renshak and Jessica Malot, key contributors in both early-season wins, can expect plenty of playing time throughout the season.
"The girls have adapted well to the system and they're working hard," Cipolla said. Calhoun will participate in the Seaford Tournament on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 28 and 29.
Boys Basketball
Senior point guard Andrew Cohen is the lone returning starter for the Calhoun boys basketball team, which lost two of its first three
non-conference games.
"We're very inexperienced but we have a lot of kids who can do a lot of different things well," Coach Pete Grossi said. "We have seniors who didn't play a whole lot last year for various reasons and they'll have a chance to show what they can do."
Senior center Joe Amador and senior forward Andrew Kates are both coming off injuries. Senior Frank LoCascio is also expected to start up front, while senior Anthony Maduro is Cohen's back-court mate.
"As long as we cut down on mistakes, we'll be in every game," Grossi said after last Friday's 52-31 setback at Seaford. "We have an unselfish team, and we're going to look for the high-percentage shots. We don't have a go-to guy, but maybe someone will emerge."
The Colts will look to senior Hirender Rana, Sean Pastuch and Dan Winicki for help off the bench. Junior Sean Elan is Cohen's backup at the point.
"We want to keep the games low-scoring," Grossi said. "The kids know what they have to do to be successful. The keys for us are to play tough defense and disciplined offense."
Calhoun has non-conference games remaining against Cold Spring Harbor, MacArthur and New Hyde Park prior to its Jan. 5 conference opener at
Herricks.
