Scotch Plains-Fanwood 2011-12 Winter Sports Forecast

Boys Basketball

Head Coach: Dan Doherty

2010-11: 21-9 (lost to Mendham in North 2 Group 3 semifinals)

Outlook:

The Raiders will play the 2011-12 season without Matt Jegede, a 6’5’’ senior forward, who already has Division 2 scholarship offers. Jegede was injured this past fall while competing on the football team. The squad will also will be without Andrew Miller until January as he also had a football injury. Despite the injuries, the team has a chance to be a strong defensive team that can really play a strong up-tempo game but also run half court sets when the time calls for it.

Key Players

Dominic Gonzalez ’12, 5’8’’ G: Lightning speed. Gonzalez is a tremendous defender and solid point guard.  If Gonzalez plays well and gets everybody else involved the Raiders can have a successful season.

Ian Johnston ’12 5’8’’ G:  The Raiders’ best shooter and like Gonzalez is a tremendous defender. Johnston is a three-year varsity letterman and gives us great experience.

Anthony Byers ’12 6'0’’ F:  Tremendous athlete and one of the best defenders in the county. Anthony gives us tremendous athletic ability. He will cover the opposing teams best player every time. 

Xavier Noel-Brooks ’13 6'2’’ G:  Played JV last year.  He is a strong guard who's outside shot is coming along and he has the strength to post up opposing guards.  Expect him to improve throughout the year.

Thomas Bonacum ’13 6'5’’ F: Started a number of games last year as a sophomore and is ready to step up. He has great fundamental post moves and also has the ability to step out and hit a three. 

Andrew Miller ’12 6'4’’ F: Injured and expected to be out until January, will prove to be a solid rebounder when he returns.

Tyree Singletary ’12 5'8’’ G: Singletary is a solid defender who will hit the open shot when given a chance. 

Kevin Raszka ’13 6'1’’ F- Raszka will come off the bench and split time between guard and forward positions.  He can handle the ball well as well as rebound underneath.

Boys Swimming

Head Coach: Jess Tulnik

2010-11: 16-1 (Public B State Champions, Union County Tournament Champions)

Outlook: The Raiders looked primed for a defense of both of their titles from 2010 when they won both the Union County and the Public B championship.  The Raiders will face a tough schedule that will allow them to prepare for a deep postseason run in 2011. The Boys will face Westfield, Summit, St. Joe’s and Pingry this season.

Key Performers:

Greg Balkio (2010-11 UCT event winner)

Joe Dunn (2010-11 UCT event winner)

Ryan Gajdzia (2010-11 UCT event winner)

Dan Pesin

Nick Sorace

Ryan Henkels

Ryan McKenna

Mike Misiak

Francis Degnan

Keith Monterio

Girls Swimming

Head Coach: Jess Hulnik

2010-11: Union County Tournament champions, lost to Chatham in North 2 Pubic B sectional finals

Outlook: The group looks to defend their 2010 Union County Tournament championship with a roster that features 12 new swimmers; all 12 are freshmen. Despite the huge roster turnover, the season looks to be a promising one for the Raiders.

Key Performers:

Caroline Lesce

Caitlin English

Jodie Thompson

Nicole DePaola

Melissa Keiser

Brenda Ho

Emily Nardone

Maggie O’Brien

Jackie Cirincione

Roasllie Depaola

Carlie Roessle

Bowling

Outlook: The team returns three seniors from last year's squad. Nick Stawick (captain), Mike Maninno and Bryan Canfield will be relied on to take the lead for the team. Other key returning players include Andrew Citera and Ryan Sawchuk.

The team will compete at Jersey Lanes for all of their matches this season. The team will face Roselle Catholic (12/7) and Union (12/8) this week as they prepare for the Warren Wheeler Memorial Tournament (12/10).

Wrestling

Outlook: The team will open their season on December 16 with a tri-meet against J.P. Stevens and Metuchen and will return several key wrestlers from last season. Anthony Tufaro is returning at heavyweight in 2011 after compiling a 34-8 record last season. Also returning are Mike Steinfeld and Sean Cannon.  Cannon saw his 2010-11 season cut short by injury but is primed for a big year at the 152 weight class.

Steinfeld, who will wrestle at 152, compiled a 21-10 record last season. Another key return for the Raiders is Dominic Natale who compiled a 19-9 record at 130 pounds as a freshman last season. Coach TJ Gavor figures to see the lower weights filled in by some of the more promising freshmen who are still finding their way in the pre-season.