The Plainedge boys basketball team enters the season with a new roster and a new head coach, signaling a full reset for the Red Devils.
Jared Bursky takes over for John Mateyko, inheriting a roster that doesn’t have a player from last season’s rotation after Plainedge graduated all five starters.
Plainedge’s new star player was on JV last season — junior shooting guard Jackson Bianchi.
“We’re a young group,” said Bursky, making his varsity head coaching debut after assistant roles at Plainview, Port Washington and Wantagh.
Though Plainedge finished 11-9 last season, it didn’t make the playoffs because of a 5-7 conference record. Still, nobody is ruling out a return to the postseason.
“I think we’re going to be good defensively as a group that works hard,” Bursky said. “They’ve been awesome — me getting to know them, them getting to know me. We expect to compete for a playoff spot even if we don’t have that much experience. I think defensively, rebounding the ball, we could still be very tough.”
The prospective leading scorer is Bianchi, a bucket-getter who uses his length defensively. The varsity adjustment will be getting his shot off quicker.
“He can really shoot it,” Bursky said. “He plays really hard on both sides and rebounds the ball well. There’s a lot on his plate but he’s handled everything well.”
Another promoted JV player, junior forward Mateo Pallone, will get his opportunity. He’s 6-foot-2 with size and strength.
“He has a presence inside on both sides of the ball and is our engine, especially defensively and on the glass,” Bursky said.
Senior forward Aaron Pazos was the odd man out of last season’s six-man rotation.
“He’s a wing with good size — versatile offensively and defensively,” Bursky said. “He can score off the dribble and step out to shoot it.”
Adding grit is junior forward Lucas Rizzo, who played JV.
“He’s got a high motor, very athletic,” Bursky said. “The loose balls, he will be on the floor for them. He’s been a big difference maker since football ended.”
A freshman will start at point guard — Jack Younghans, who played JV as an eighth-grader. Senior guards Rocco Ardizzone and Denny Neroulas provide outside shooting and depth.
The Plainedge girls basketball team enters the season positioned to build on last year’s success with more depth and experience.
With only an eight-player roster and no seniors, the Red Devils posted an 8-4 conference record last season, won a playoff game and fell in the Class A quarterfinals to North Shore.
Head coach Sarah Tansey returns all eight players while adding several promising freshmen.
“Last year, all eight played a ton of minutes and gained a lot of experience,” Tansey said. “We’re hoping to build on their experience. A deep playoff run would be nice but we’re still pretty young.”
The lone senior is 5-foot-11 forward Frankie Maiello, while the rest of the roster is junior-heavy, setting up long-term continuity.
Leading the juniors is a standout backcourt featuring point guard Allison Younghans and shooting guard Peyton Wise.
Younghans excelled on both ends of the floor, averaging three steals per game while posting nine points and four assists per contest, earning All-County honors.
“She’s fast-paced, likes to push the ball and sees the floor really well,” Tansey said.
Wise, an All-County Honorable Mention, is Plainedge’s best perimeter shooter. She averaged 11 points per game and knocked down more than 20 three-pointers while also averaging seven rebounds.
Another reliable outside threat is junior Giovanna Pannitti, who earned All-Conference honors. Charlotte Norbury, also All-Conference, impressed as a freshman with her athleticism and 5-foot-9 frame.
Juniors Samantha Zaccaro, Emma Throo and Michela Netto round out a deep rotation.
Plainedge finished 11-10 overall and moves from Conference A2 to the tougher A1, but Tansey believes depth will be an advantage.
“Our defense generates offense for us,” Tansey said. “We rely heavily on our defense.”
Dec. 15: @ V.S. South, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 17: @ Floral Park, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 20: V.S. North, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 6: @ Mineola, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 12: Wantagh, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 15: @ Lynbrook, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 24: V.S. South, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 28: Floral Park, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 30: @ V.S. North, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 3: Mineola, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 6: @ Wantagh, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 12: Lynbrook, 6:45 p.m.
Dec. 12: V.S. South, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 17: Floral Park, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 19: @ V.S. North, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 6: @ Mineola, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 12: @ Wantagh, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 15: @ Lynbrook, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 24: @ V.S. South, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 28: @ Floral Park, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 31: V.S. North, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 3: Mineola, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 9: Wantagh, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 12: Lynbrook, 5:00 p.m.
