Led last season by three-sport star and first-time All-County swingman shooter John Pericolosi, South Side boys basketball went 12-2 in Conference AA5 and finished 18-4 overall.
The 6-foot-4 senior Stony Brook baseball commit paced the Cyclones with 14.4 points per game while averaging six rebounds. With a view toward another postseason run, South Side hoped to go big this winter by adding 6-foot-4 senior center Harris Breene to a lineup already featuring length in Pericolosi, 6-foot-6 All-Conference forward Ryan Schmitt and 6-foot-6 senior Jack Mullin.
Injuries, however, have forced a late pivot. Mullin is likely out for the season with an ACL injury, while Breene is expected to join the lineup several weeks after New Year’s.
“We’re starting the season with two important bigs not playing,” head coach Jerry D’Angelo said. “So we’ve really had to figure out our new identity.”
That identity will rely heavily on Schmitt and All-Conference guard Connor Erickson adjusting to expanded roles. D’Angelo expects the Cyclones to play faster, with Erickson shooting more from beyond the arc and Schmitt providing a stronger interior presence.
First-year starters Robert Griffo and junior Trevor Walsh round out a lineup that will flow primarily through Pericolosi and Schmitt.
“John and Ryan are obviously our focal points,” D’Angelo said. “But our supporting cast plays a big role.”
The Cyclones return a strong veteran nucleus while welcoming a large sophomore class following the graduation of All-County standout Charlotte Rathjen.
All-County senior Ellie Lennon anchors the backcourt alongside juniors Reese Long and Katelyn Mullen, both Honorable Mention All-County selections, after South Side went 16-6 overall and 10-4 in Conference AA3 last season.
Though the roster has been trimmed to 11 players, head coach Dan Ferrick believes experience will balance out the learning curve.
“We’ll have some growing pains,” Ferrick said. “But by January, February, we’re going to be fun to watch.”
Lennon and Mullen will share point guard duties after leading the team in three-pointers last winter. Long moves into a more prominent role in the frontcourt alongside sophomore Sophia Corvetti, while senior Maddie Woo steps into the starting center spot.
Ferrick’s system remains unchanged, emphasizing speed, ballhandling and versatility.
“We say everyone here’s a guard,” he said. “They’re all allowed to dribble, get up and down the court — and they’re expected to.”
Several sophomores, including Meredith Powers, Katherine Borruso, Emily Reda, Emily Glynn and Kenzie Kasschau, are expected to contribute immediately.
Dec. 12: Elmont, 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 17: @ Carey, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 20: Division, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 5: Sewanhaka, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 8: @ Clarke, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 9: @ Bethpage, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 14: Manhasset, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 24: @ Elmont, 12:00 p.m.
Jan. 27: Carey, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 30: @ Division, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 2: @ Sewanhaka, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 5: Clarke, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 11: @ Manhasset, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 14: Bethpage, 11:45 a.m.
Dec. 12: @ Elmont, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 16: Carey, 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 19: @ Division, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 5: @ Sewanhaka, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 8: Clarke, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 14: @ Manhasset, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 16: Bethpage, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 24: Elmont, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 27: @ Carey, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 30: Division, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 2: Sewanhaka, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 5: @ Clarke, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 11: Manhasset, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 14: @ Bethpage, 11:45 a.m.
