ECC Division I

East Lyme

Coach: Tim Strong (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. C Gavin O’Brien , Sr. F Owen Elmer, Sr. F John Bureau, Sr G Isaac Guevara, Jr. G Brendan Osso.

Top newcomers: Jr. G Jaylen Hannans, So. G Micheal Timpano, Sr. G Joey Wainwright, So. C Oliver Hibbard, So.F Gavin White, Fr. G/F Julius Washington.

Outlook: The Vikings went 12-8 last season and finished third in Division I, then upset No. 3 NFA, No. 2 New London and No. 4 Waterford to win the ECC Division I tournament before losing to eventual state champion Hand in the Division II second round. East Lyme graduated three starters and head coach Jeff Bernardi left for the same job at St. Joseph, but Strong, the ex-Montville coach, takes over a program that returns starters O’Brien and Elmer and a solid group of new players. “We will be in the mix of things,” Strong said. “I’m very happy where we are at, but we have some ways to go.”

New London

Coach: Craig Parker (29th season)

Key returnees: So. G/F SaVahn Warren, So. G Da’Shaun Phillips, Sr. G Marvel Fleurijeune, Sr. F/C Josh Hickson, Sr. F Jamel Hayslett, Sr. C Richard Taylor, Jr. G Kaleb McCalla, Sr. G Ryan Keefe, Jr. G Zuri Craig.

Top newcomers: So. G Devan Williams, So. F/C Calvin Sebastian Fr. G Xavier Goode, Fr. G Amir Hall, Fr. G Jamir Hall.

Outlook: The Whalers are coming off a 12-7 season that included a trip to the Division III state quarterfinals ... and they accomplished that success with a pair freshmen guards (Warren and Phillips) as every day starters. They must replace two key starters in ECC all-star Rhodia Perry, a member of The Day’s All-Area team (with Warren) and big man Sean Raymond, but have a some talented newcomers to fill the void. “We’re a relatively young team,” Parker said. “But we’re athletic, quick and hope to compete at the state level.”

Norwich Free Academy

Coach: Dave Cornish (2nd season)

Key returnee: Jr. G Tony Williams.

Top newcomers: Sr. F Edwin Santana, Jr. F Camron Barboza, Jr. G Eshaad Hernandez, Sr. G Paul Ericson, Jr. G Armanee Davis, Sr. F Cam’ron Sinvil.

Outlook: The Wildcats went 17-5 a year ago and reached the Division I state quarterfinals before losing a heartbreaker to Fairfield Prep. Cornish must replace six seniors, including four starters. “We’re relatively young in varsity experience,” Cornish said, “but we will compete every night ... hopefully by the end of the year we will be that team nobody wants to play.”

St. Bernard

Coach: Mark Jones (9th season)

Key returnees: Sr. PG Tyson Wheeler, So. G Amyre Gray, Sr. F Cedrick Similien, So. F Amare Marshall, Jr. G Colin O’Leary, Sr. F Jacob Weidner.

Top newcomers: Jr. G Justin Outlow, Sr. C Ryan Outlow, Fr. G Ty Grudzien.

Outlook: The Saints move up to Division I of the ECC and Division II at the state level after finishing 17-3 a year ago and reaching the Division III state semifinals before losing to eventual champion Hand. They return four dynamic starters in Wheeler, Similien (both four-year varsity players), Gray and Marshall, and should remain among the ECC’s elite programs although they will be challenged by a tough schedule that includes a rematch with Hand in The Day Holiday Classic and games against Prince Tech (Doc Hurley Classic) and Windsor (ECC-CCC Challenge).

ECC Division II

Fitch

Coach: Charles Silvan (7th season)

Key returnees: Sr. F Van Spruill, Sr. PG Lorenzo Rivera, Jr. F Jacob Francis.

Top newcomers: Sr. G Mikey Wagner, Jr. G Zander Timmerman, Fr. G Jayvon Robinson.

Outlook: The Falcons just missed out on a state tournament bid last season, finishing 7-13. Silvanl must replace his starting backcourt, including ECC all-star Yaniel Hernandez, but is looking forward to the challenge. “We have a new and young backcourt but we are optimistic about our ability to grow and develop as a team,” he said. “It will be fun watching this team create their own identity as the season goes on.”

Ledyard

Coach: D.J. Exum (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. James Green, Sr. Liam Stahlbush, Sr, Chris Washington, Sr. Grant Kennedy, Jr. Peyton Luther, Jr. Ethan Petrowski, Jr. Ben Rusczyk.

Top newcomers: Jr. Nizayha Carr, Jr. Alex Kiss-Vega, So. Camron Weber, So. Amani Dudley, Fr. Luke Shevlin.

Outlook: Exum and the Colonels enjoyed a great deal of success during his first season, going 12-8 during the regular season and reaching the Division III state quarterfinals. They suffered some key losses, but Exum returns a determined senior class. “We are a physical, guard-heavy program who are trying to win games on the defensive end,” Exum said.

Waterford

Coach: Bill Bassett (9th season)

Key returnees: Sr. G Logan Peabody, Jr. C Juan Morel, Sr. G Nate Hynes.

Top newcomers: Sr. G Evan Piotrowski, Sr. G Derek Rivera, Sr. F Anthony Jessuck, Sr. F A.J. Dollinger, Jr. G Jordi Cassar.

Outlook: All-state forward Sean O’Connell was among the key graduates from a team that went 15-5 during the regular season and reached the Division II state finals before losing to Donovan Clingan and eventual state champion Bristol Central in the quarters. Peabody is a four-year varsity player and Morel provides a solid inside presence. Bassett must develop some new players into the mix, adding, “the Lancers will continue to play solid defense and disciplined offense.”

Note: Division II includes Windham and Woodstock Academy.

ECC Division III

Bacon Academy

Coach: Craig Kupper (5th season)

Key returnees: Sr. G/F Luke Grimord, Sr. G Elijah Black, Sr. F/G Keegan Appleby.

Top newcomers: Sr. F/G Jack Holmes, Jr. G/F Theo Koutsofavas, So. G Mason Pingree, Sr. F Evan St. Louis, So. F Julian Rodegher, So. G Jackson Budrow, Fr. F Troy Johnson, Jr. G Jace King, Jr. F Kevin Claffey.

Outlook: The Bobcats, who were 8-12 last season and lost to eventual state champion Windham in the opening round of the Division V tournament, move down from Division II this season and look to be competitive. Black, Grimord and Appleby are the only experienced varsity players, but there are plenty of talented newcomers who will get get the chance to contribute.

Griswold

Coach: Rob Mileski (13th season)

Key returnees: Sr. G Lucas Strain, Sr. G Evan Merchant, Sr. G Jacob Strain, Sr. G Tommy Mattson, Sr. G Christian Russell, Sr. F Michael Strain, Sr. Jeff Souvenance.

Top newcomers: Jr. G KinKade Rubino, Jr. G Sean Garvin.

Outlook: The Wolverines were 9-11 and competitive almost every night in a division that featured eventual Division V state champion Windham and ECC Division II tournament champion Stonington. And they return their entire starting lineup led by the Strain triplets, Merchant and the versatile 6-foot-2 Souvenance. “We have a guard-heavy senior group,” Mileski said. “We’ll play a very uptempo style of pressing and running.”

Stonington

Coach: Jay Wosencroft (4th season)

Key returnee: Sr. G Luke Lowry.

Top newcomers: Jr. G Aaron Lopresto, Jr. G Alex DePerry, Jr. G Robbie Scavello, Sr. F Josh Lord, Sr. C Brady Mullen.

Outlook: No team was hit harder by graduation losses than Stonington, which lost 10 seniors, all five starters and The Day’s All-Area Player of the Year (Dorian White). Lowry is the only player returning with any experience for the Bears, who went 16-3 and won the ECC Division III and Division II tournament titles. “We plan on competing at a high-level this year,” Wosencroft said, “and hopefully we are there at the end when it matters.”

Note: Division III includes Killingly and Plainfield.

ECC Division IV

Lyman Memorial

Coach: Aaron Lorenzo (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. G Jaiden Lopez, Sr. F-C Ben Darrow, Jr. G Jordan Chandler, Jr. G Jared Russo, So. C Kevin Botticello.

Top newcomers: Sr. G-F Ryan Miller, Jr. F Owen Christiansen, Jr. PG Kenyon Morrissette, Jr. G James Apicelli.

Outlook: The Bulldogs had their struggles last season, finishing 2-18, but an experienced cast returns for first-year coach Lorenzo led by captains Lopez and Darrow and a versatile lineup with players having the ability to play multiple positions. Lorenzo expects Lyman to “surprise a lot of people.”

Montville

Coach: Jeff Brown (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. G Lebron Maurice, Sr. G Anthony Barbuto, Sr. F Dajon Dort, Sr. F Isaiah Balencier.

Top newcomers: So. G Aidan Johnson, Jr. C Ben Godburn, Jr. F Logan Lemay, So. G Ryler Beyer, Fr. G Ezekiel Stanley, Fr. C Isaiah Yard, Fr. G Jack Treat.

Outlook: Brown takes over for Tim Strong and will lead a Montville team that won the ECC Division IV title last season before losing in triple overtime to Ellington in the Division IV state tournament first round. Maurice, an ECC all-star, leads a veteran cast that will provide leadership to a talented group of newcomers.

Wheeler

Coach: Stephen Bailey (1st season)

Key returnees: Jr. G Keith Zardies, Jr. G Kyle Kessler, So. F Zane Brewer, Jr. F Jayson Krysiewicz, Jr. F Deondre Bransford, Jr. C Wyatt Elliott, Jr. G Jon Anderson, Jr. G Kyle Montigny.

Top newcomers: So. F Garrett Lenihan, Jr. C Aannin Kalwara, So. G James Main, So. G Nate Mayne, Jr. F Sean Bergel.

Outlook: Bailey, who coached at Lyman Memorial last season, takes over a Wheeler team which returns virtually its entire roster. Brewer was an ECC all-star as a freshman Bailey expects to have a rotation of 9 or 10 players. “Although this group is young with no seniors on the team, they have a lot of experience,“ Bailey said. ”We just need to grow as a program, develop our culture and believe in the process.“

Note: The division includes Putnam and Tourtellotte.

Others

Grasso Tech

Coach: Jonathan Grossman (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. C/F Caleb Brennan, Jr. G Charis Johnson, Sr. G Tito Arias, Sr. G Derek Kennedy, Jr. G Rome Brown, Jr. G Kelvin Paulino.

Top newcomers: Sr. F Keron Wilson, Jr. F Bryce Johnson, Sr. F Nijere Swinson, Jr. G Cristian LaPrade, Sr. G Jaivon Velez.

Outlook: Grossman is confident the Eagles will improve upon last year’s 6-14 record, be competitive in the Connecticut Technical Conference and make a run at qualifying for the state tournament. “We have senior leadership that is healthy and our newcomers have energized the team,” Grossman said.

Norwich Tech

Coach: Mike Froscello (1st season)

Key returnees: So. G Collin Schulze, Sr. F-C Bradley Saint Louis, Sr. G Josh Hanks, Sr. G Fletcher Ballaro.

Top newcomers: So. G-F Ryan Lillibridge, Jr. F Jack Gahrman, Jr. G-F Nathan Lazourack.

Outlook: Froscello, who has been with the program for six seasons, takes over a team that went 9-11 a year ago and graduated the bulk of its starting lineup. The Warriors do have players returning who gained valuable experience last winter and Froscello believes Norwich Tech will be competitive within the Connecticut Technical Conference and make another run at a Division V state tournament bid.

Old Lyme

Coach: Ken Beeman (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. C Caden Monte, Sr. C Calvin Monte, Sr. G/F Alex Olsen, Sr. G/F Casey Hurtgen.

Top newcomer: Jr. G Jack Porter.

Outlook: The Wildcats graduated six seniors, including four starters, from a team that went 9-11 last season. Old Lyme does have plenty a size (the Monte brothers are both 6-foot-6) and a deep group of upperclassmen. “Ultimately chemistry and the willingness to do what is best for the team across the board will determine our success or lack thereof,” Beeman said. “If it all comes together we have a real chance to make some waves in the Shoreline Conference.”

Williams

Coach: Miles Daniels (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. G Sam Kaplan, Sr. F Daniel Genovese, Sr. G Calvin Neff, So. F Robby Shay, So. G Marc Maceera, Sr. F Ryan Bian.

Top newcomers: Fr. G Jadiel Thomas, Sr. G Jackson Raisbeck, Fr. F Henry Champagne.

Outlook: Despite winning only two games during Daniels’ first season, he still saw great growth heading into the offseason and he remains encouraged by the Blues’ progress during the preseason. “Practice has been filled with energy and we are excited to get some of our young talent on the floor,” Daniels said.