There will be plenty of new faces for the Bethlehem, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk and Voorheesville boys basketball teams this season.
Bethlehem has the most veteran lineup with six returning players, while R-C-S and Voorheesville have the most turnover with each only possessing two veterans.
It’s a young team, and we’re still getting to know each other, said Voorheesville head coach Don Catellier, whose Blackbirds lost to Catholic Central and Schuylerville at last weekend’s Catholic Central Tournament in Troy. `We’re getting there.`
R-C-S is also breaking in a new coach, as Kevin Reinisch takes the helm from Bruce Stott.
`I think we’re going to be OK,` said Reinisch, who coached the junior varsity team last year and has several of his players joining him on the varsity level this season. `The Colonial Council is one of the toughest leagues in the area. You have to come ready to play every night.`
Here is a closer look at Bethle-hem, R-C-S and Voorheesville.
Bethlehem Eagles
Head coach: Jeremy Klugman
Key veterans: Kevin Stempsey, Gleason Judd, Bill Barrowman, Joe Kane, Dan Bell
Outlook: Klugman said he is hopeful that a veteran lineup will help his Eagles win on a more consistent basis in a division ` the Suburban Council Gold Division ` that is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the league.
`This is the first time we’ve had that many return that wound up being starters at the end of last year,` said Klugman.
Stempsey’s ability to score from all points on the court should give Bethlehem one of the most dangerous weapons in the Suburban Council, but other Eagles ` including several junior varsity call-ups ` must contribute to the offense.
The Eagles take the court Friday against Mohonasen in the opening round of the Niskayuna Invitational Tournament.
`We’re chomping at the bit because we’re tired of playing ourselves (in practices). We want to play someone else,` said Klugman.
R-C-S Indians
Head coach: Kevin Reinisch
Key veterans: Jared Fortier, Paul Millett
Key newcomers: Jeff DeLuca, Pat Filkins, Zach Deering, Mike Jones, Eric Bachner
Outlook: Fortier is the top returning scorer, and Millett is the top returning rebounder for the Indians. But in order for R-C-S to compete in the Colonial Council, Reinisch is going to need some of his former JV players to step up right away.
`I don’t think we have any individuals who can put as many points on the scoreboard as Fortier, but I’m hoping for a combination of players to score eight to 12 points each,` said Reinisch. `I think we’re capable of doing that.`
The Indians start the Colonial Council season Friday at Lansingburgh.
Voorheesville Blackbirds
Head coach: Don Catellier
Key veterans: Justin Arico, Evan Christner
Key newcomers: Chris Thompson, Macky Lloyd, Joey Klembczyk, Greg Carson, Pina Ragonese
Outlook: If the Blackbirds are going to remain one of the top teams in the Colonial Council, they’re going to need young guards such as Thompson, Lloyd and Klembczyk to play well.
`We’ve got some people working in that position, and I think we’ll be all right,` said Catellier.
Christner provides a strong interior presence for Voorheesville, but Catellier said consistency will be a key for the forward. `He’s going to be force down in the low post, and he gives us a go-to guy down there,` he said.“
