Warriors focus on defense, rebounding

New Wantagh boys’ basketball head coach Matt Simeone arrives with some familiarity with his new team after serving as an assistant football coach the past 11 years.

Six of Simeone’s football players help comprise the Wantagh roster, which he hopes provides athleticism and toughness on the defensive end of the floor to a team aiming for the program’s first playoff spot in five years. 

“I want to play strong defense and rebound,” said Simeone, a former longtime assistant basketball coach at Friends Academy. “That will lead to helping us offensively but we have to play defense first and if we have the athletes here there is no reason why we can’t.”

Simeone got a boost for his first season on the Warriors’ bench with the arrival of senior Jakai Lester, who was a standout Catholic League player the last two years at St. Dominic. The versatile 6-foot-3 Lester has a strong jump shot and driving ability along with being a top defender. 

Senior Mike Handell, an All-County volleyball player, is a returning starter from last year’s 4-3 season that was shortened due to the pandemic. Drew Palladino, who was an All-County football selection, is another starter back from last season who has also emerged as one of the team leaders.

Junior Danny Fisenne is slated to start at point guard after leading the junior varsity backcourt last year. Simeone is also looking for big contributions this season from juniors Tom Cupelli and Ryan Daly after they shined on JV. 

Wantagh will compete in a conference that includes Seaford, Clarke, Island Trees, North Shore and Lawrence. 

“If Jakai can play the way I think he can I think he can be one of the best players in the conference and if we gel together and play around him I think we can finish in the top two in the conference,” Simeone said.