The 2024–2025 season came with high expectations for West Hempstead boys basketball after winning the Class B Long Island Championship the previous season. It followed that title run with a strong 15–8 campaign but fell to Floral Park, 80–70, in the Nassau Class A championship game.
The Rams will have a new look after graduating their top scorers and All-County standouts Isaiah Blunt and Evan Wilson. Still, head coach Eric Rubin believes the foundation built over the past two seasons continues to elevate the program.
“I think really the last couple of years, the program’s had a lot of success and I think that success breeds more success,” Rubin said. “The younger kids, when they were part of the JV team at the time, saw that the expectations were high. They see what it takes to get to the highest levels here for county championships and Long Island championships.”
Much of last season’s supporting cast was made up of underclassmen, giving West Hempstead valuable experience heading into this winter.
Senior All-Conference point guard Jonathan Houston returns for his third varsity season and is the lone remaining player from the 2023–2024 championship roster.
“He sees the court really well,” Rubin said. “He makes some passes that have you like, ‘how did he see that kid?’ He can also shoot, but he really knows his role well. He doesn’t force things, and he is a good distributor of the basketball.”
Playing alongside Houston will be junior guard Alex Davis and junior forward Jamir Houston.
“By the time playoffs rolled around, [Jamir Houston] was probably our best player,” Rubin said. “He was one of the best players on the court for either team. He’s a really smart player and he’s capable of scoring, but he plays excellent defense. I can put him on the other team’s best player, whether it’s a point guard or a six-foot-five or six-foot-six center.”
Additional contributors will include senior guards Jason Maldonado and Christian Feglia, junior forward Yency Duran, last year’s JV leading scorer, and senior guard/forward Kayden Nuzzi.
After a 5–13 season, the West Hempstead girls look to bounce back with three returning starters in senior point guard Daniella Healy, senior post player Jazmyn Russell and junior post player Ana Rizzuto.
“This is her [Healy’s] fourth year on varsity and she’s going to be asked to do everything for us,” said head coach Chris Van Kovics. “She is going to run the offense. She’s going to have to grab rebounds and play defense for us. Everything goes through her.”
Outside of Healy, Rizzuto and Russell, the Rams lack experience.
“We have a very young and inexperienced team that is working really hard,” Van Kovics said. “They’re going to be our key players.”
Another player expected to make an impact is sophomore Heidy Baires Coreas.
“She’s going to do a lot for us,” Van Kovics said. “She’s quick, she’s athletic. She’s going to help bring the ball up. She can help run some offense and hopefully get to the basket for us a little bit.”
Four eighth-graders have made varsity and have already provided a spark, adding energy and enthusiasm.
Guard Gabriella Lubrano, post player Grace Shanley, defensive specialist guard/forward Liliana Macchia and three-point shooter Amalia Jimenez Delgado are set to play significant minutes as the Rams continue to develop.
“[Lubrano] is a tough little player,” Van Kovics said. “She can shoot, but I’m trying to teach her some defense. She’s tough going to the basket, doesn’t mind scoring in transition. She’s definitely a player we’re going to look to.”
With another season in Class AB3 on the horizon, the Rams plan to follow the established blueprint of West Hempstead basketball.
“The girls are working hard; they have a great work ethic,” Van Kovics said. “They’re showing up and have realistic expectations for the year. They’re just focusing on what they can control.”
Dec. 12: @ East Rockaway, 6:45 p.m.
Dec. 16: Cold Spring Harbor, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 20: @ Wheatley, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 9: Carle Place, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 15: @ Oyster Bay, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 24: East Rockaway, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 28: @ Cold Spring Harbor, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 31: Wheatley, 11:45 a.m.
Feb. 3: @ Carle Place, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 6: Oyster Bay, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 12: East Rockaway, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 16: @ Cold Spring Harbor, 6:45 p.m.
Dec. 20: Wheatley, 11:00 a.m.
Jan. 9: @ Carle Place, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 15: Oyster Bay, 5:45 p.m.
Jan. 24: @ East Rockaway, 10:00 a.m.
Jan. 28: Cold Spring Harbor, 5:15 p.m.
Jan. 31: @ Wheatley, 11:45 a.m.
Feb. 3: Carle Place, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 6: @ Oyster Bay, 6:45 p.m.
