Generals restock after departures

Second-year MacArthur boys basketball head coach Brian Maini didn’t have much time to get acquainted with his new team during last year’s abridged season due to restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“My first day watching them play was the first day of tryouts,” said Maini, who previously served as head coach across town at Division.

Maini will have a much more normal season on tap this winter but with a largely new squad after graduating all starters from last year’s 4-4 team. 

Senior guard Matt Sarni and senior forward Philip Trafficanda, who both missed last season, are expected to be key contributors this winter. Junior guard Sonny D’Errico will look to step up on the varsity level after shining on JV as a sophomore. 

“He put a lot of time in during the offseason so we’re excited to see what he brings to the table as a junior,” said Maini of D’Errico. “He’s someone we are really excited about.” 

Chris Gryl, John Rebaudo IV and TJ Trapani all received minutes off the bench last season as juniors and will be taking on bigger roles in their senior campaigns. Junior Sebastian Loor also returns after being moved up from JV as a sophomore. 

The Generals will compete in a challenging ConferenceA-1, which includes Long Beach, Jericho, Mepham, Great Neck North, Great Neck South and New Hyde Park, and Maini is looking for them to peak at the right time and reach the playoffs while also showing a positive attitude in the process. 

“As a new coaching staff we’re excited for the opportunity and are really looking to build a culture of accountability, trust and togetherness and always playing with pride for our school and community,” he said. “We’re looking to compete every night and get ourselves into the playoffs and take it from there.”