Compiled By Chris Stevens, Editor
Teams who wish to be included can still submit pre-season preview forms. Email us at [email protected] if one is needed.
Missing teams: St. Elizabeth boys and girls, Conrad girls, First State Military boys and girls, DMA boys and girls.
Boys’ Basketball
Archmere Auks
Head Coach: Bill Ludlow
2020-21 record: 10-4
Key returners: Chris Albero, 5’11 jr. guard, Matt Dellose, 6’4 sr. forward, Conor Udovich, 6’3 sr. forward
Key newcomers: Jack Hamilton, 6’5 sr. forward, Jonathan Dearing, 6’1 sr. guard, Matt McCarthy, 5’11 soph. guard
Outlook: The Auks are a team, as head coach Bill Ludlow describes, in a holding pattern due to several of their standout players (notably the QB-WR connection of Chris Albero and Conor Udovich) chasing a DIAA state title in football. Once those players return from the gridiron, getting into basketball shape as well as building chemistry will be key.
“The older players we do have practicing have been tremendously helpful in teaching and guiding our freshmen and new sophomores on how we play and our culture,” he says. “Due to having such a large group miss the first 5 weeks of practice, goals will be defined week to week. Expectations are to be competitive every night.”
Charter School of Wilmington Force
Head Coach: Josh Robinson
2020-21 record: 6-7
Key returners: Stefan Solis, 5’7 jr. guard, Danny Houston, 5’11 jr. guard, Keegan McKenzie, 5’11 sr. guard
Key newcomers: Damai Scott, 6’2 sr. forward, Tenye Martin, 6’2 jr. forward
Outlook: The Force had some players sit out the 2021 season due to COVID concerns, but this season Josh Robinson has a full compliment of players and is eager to see how the team develops.
“This year’s team looks to build on last year’s momentum,” he says. “With the return of 3 starting guards this team looks to make some noise this season. This year’s schedule is a tough one, but look for this team to battle in every single game.”
Conrad Red Wolves
Head Coach: Chris McLean
2020-21 record: 10-6
Key returners: Julius Russell, 5’9 jr. guard, Tyler Pirrung, 5’9 sr. guard, Tim Suvie, 5’10 sr. forward, Kelcey Epps, 6′ jr. forward
Key newcomers: Jaylin Horsey, 6’2 soph. guard, Brett Walmsley, 5’10 forward
Outlook: Losing many seniors (including all-state honorable mention guard Che Jackson) from a winning team will be tough, especially with a lack of size, but Red Wolves coach Chris McLean is hopeful the returning players and newcomers will fare well in Diamond State play, where the defensive end will be the key.
“Depending on how this group learns to defend will determine how successful the season will be,” he says.
MOT Charter Mustangs
Head Coach: Eric Epstein
2020-21 record: 3-8
Key returners: Corey Jackson, 6’1 sr. wing, Renard Rhem, 6’1 jr. guard, Jaden Diaz, 5’10 soph. guard, Harry Kinyanjui, 6′ soph. forward, Solomon Devard, 6’2 sr. center
Key newcomers: Justin Duncombe, 6’2 soph. wing, Carlton Smith, 6’2 soph. wing, Davian Jiminez, 6’4 jr. wing/forward
Outlook: Head coach Eric Epstein is excited about this group of Mustangs, who while young, have enough depth and size to be competitive in DSAC action this season.
“This is our youngest, hardest-working, most energetic and focused group to date. We are starting to build a strong fundamental base on both the offense and defensive end,” he explains. “To reach success, our group needs to continue focusing on the details and be smart on the defensive end. Our expectation is to get those most out of our potential and play complimentary basketball.”
Newark Charter Patriots
Head Coach: Joseph Zang
2020-21 record:
Key returners: Eddie Klima, 5’9 sr. guard, Harrison Pendleton, 6’4 sr. forward, Sean Locks, 5’9 jr. guard, Pranit Gunjal, 6’6 jr. forward, Ty Ciarlo, 5’10 jr. forward, Logan Carlson, 5’10 soph. forward
Key newcomers: Ty Williams, 6’0 jr. guard/forward, Edris Kalibala, 6’5 soph. forward
Outlook: The Patriots look to return to their 2020 DSAC title form now that their returning players have more game experience. Head coach Joe Zang is hopeful that his team will be playing their best ball when it counts after the new year.
“There will be bumps along the way, but the goal for this team is to be playing their best basketball in February,” he says. With more experience, we hope be competitive in DSAC as well as in the state this season.”
Girls’ Basketball
Archmere Auks
Head Coach: Dan Pisani
2020-21 record: 10-3, reached DIAA Quarterfinals.
Key returners: Lauren Kim, 5’9 sr. guard, Brigid Hamberger, 5’6 sr. guard, Lydia Scarpaci, 5’8 jr. guard, Brynn Bastian-Pastore, 5’9 jr. guard, Lucy Oliver, 6′ soph. forward
Key newcomers: Ally Lengkeek, 5’5 jr. guard, Katie Benson, 5’8 jr. forward
Outlook: Coming off the first two Elite Eight appearances in the program’s history, the Auks will have several returning pieces to the puzzle. Head coach Dan Pisani notes that graduating 7 players and losing another player to injury could be trouble spots, but he’s still very confident in the team he’ll have on the floor this season.
“We have a very hard-working and coachable group that has already shown a lot of improvement. We’re hoping to continue to build on the Archmere tradition of being a strong defensive team while also adding some new things to our offense,” he says. “We hope to compete for a conference title and make another deep run in the state tourney.”
Charter School of Wilmington Force
Head Coach: Eileen Voltz
2020-21 record: 9-4
Key returners: Ava Lutrzykowski 5’4 soph. guard, Catie Cole 5’8 soph. guard, Emma Brown, sr. guard/forward, Mackenzie Lane 6’1 jr. center, Claire Stella, 5’8 sr. forward, Danielle Kanse, 5’9 soph. guard, Veronica Sanchez, 5’10 sr. center, Sophia Meara 5’4 sr. guard
Key newcomers: Robyn Bufano, 5’3 sr. guard, Pauline Zhuang, 5’5 jr. guard
Outlook: One of the more consistent girls’ programs in the state, the Force look to make a move towards the DSAC crown with senior guard Emma Brown leading a deep and tenacious team into battle this season.
“Most of the team played together last year and have great chemistry,” head coach Eileen Voltz says. “They are incredibly hard working and receptive to coaching. Everyone has improved so it will be exciting to see what they can accomplish together this season.”
MOT Charter Mustangs
Head Coach: Michelle Duncombe
2020-21 record: 3-9
Key returners: Julia Frushon, jr. forward, Cydneii Lung’aho, sr. guard/forward, Saanvi Venkatesan, sr. guard
Key newcomers: Gisselle Hite, first-year guard, Monica Santana Cintron, soph. guard
Outlook: A mix of experience and youth highlights the MOT girls’ team and coach Michelle Duncombe is focusing on building a program while remaining competitive.
“Our goal, win or lose, is to outwork our opponents and to be good stewards of the game of Basketball. Our practices leading up to the season, have focused on accountability to ourselves and to each other as teammates, to give our best effort every day,” she says. “Our motto is, ‘What you do in practice, you do in the game’, so we are looking to model sound fundamentals and hard work in everything we do to represent MOT Charter High School.”
Newark Charter Patriots
Head Coach: Bob Massaferi
2020-21 record: 7-7
Key returners: Riley Hevelow, sr. gurd, Ameera Lea, sr. guard, Aiyanna Vaughn-Ross, sr. forward, Samira Morgan, soph. guard/forward
Key newcomers: Kourtney Warren, soph. forward, Imani Harrell, eighth grade guard, Aliyah Lea, eighth grade guard, Ariana Murphy, soph. guard
Outlook: The Patriots have a fair of returning players, which should go a long way to building chemistry with an equal amount of newcomers while attempting to replace quite a few graduating players.
“We graduated four senior starters, but we’ve been very happy with the turnout for the team this year,” head coach Bob Massaferi says. “Overall, we will be very young, and there is improvement every day. We hope to be competitive with the teams on our schedule.”
