St. Anthony’s Boys Varsity Basketball team is coming off an 18-7 2018 season and lost to Holy Trinity in the CHSAA semi- finals. In 2017 they claimed the CHSAA Championship title and are hungry for a championship title again, but know the journey will not be easy.
The Friars lost several key players including Makhai Murphy and Jevon Burke two seniors who played a vital role on last year’s team. Coach Lagano said, “We have to hope that guys can mature quickly. Nothing teaches like playing time. Guys will get great opportunities. They will come in, get better, get repetition, and get more minutes. It’s the maturation process of high school basketball. One guy leaves who had a great career and the next guy steps up. We’re looking for the guys to be really team oriented and get better together.”
This year’s team features 8 seniors, including Andre Snoddy and Louis Stallone. Snoddy and Stallone have been improving each year and this season are expected a breakout season from the two of them. Snoddy is one of the more versatile players on Long Island, with the ability to create plays both inside and outside. He is taking over at point guard this year but is also one of the team’s top rebounders and defenders. He is averaging 18.6 points through seven games, including a 28 point, six rebounds and four assists game in a win over Salesian. Stallone, who is verbally committed to play baseball at Arkansas, has great size and athleticism. He is averaging 9.4 points and has at least 13 rebounds in five of seven games as a rim protector.
Stallone said, “This year’s team is very deep, there are a ton of guys that can come in and contribute.” Senior Jack Walshe is one of the other leaders for the Friars with his toughness and basketball IQ as he provides additional team strength. Stallone said, “Everyone on our team brings certain skills to the table. Our younger guys have done a great job of picking up the speed of the varsity game and are starting to prove themselves and earn their playing time. They are still adjusting and learning everyday. Their development will be key in having league play success and this program will depend on these guys to carry on this great culture Coach Lagano has built.” Two sophomores, Dakari Thomas and Jalyke Wyatt-Gaines are starting to come into their own and display their skill sets.
St. Anthony’s pride themselves on playing a hard physical brand of basketball. Snoddy said, “Defense travels and will always keep you in games. We have a tough group of athletes who fight for every rebound and loose ball.” The Friars offense is based on sharing the ball. It features a lot of quick passes and cuts to the rim. When the offense is clicking it can be very lethal.
The Friars have lofty expectations for the season. Stallone said, “The expectations are always to win a championship. We are super focused on reaching our goal this year, everyone from the starters to the bench to our coaches put in 110% effort at every practice and game.”
SA enters league play with 7-3 record with impressive wins over Trinity Catholic (CT), Thurgood Marshall, New Paltz, Salesian and Malverne.
Snoddy said, “I think every team in our league is good and will provide a challenge. The Catholic League is the best league on Long Island hands down but Holy Trinity for sure is definitely the must watch game.”
League play begins on Friday January 10th at home against Kellenberg. Come out and support the Black and Gold as they start the run for the Championship.
Alex Rocco is a senior at St. Anthony’s High School, writing for his fourth year with the Friar Scoreboard. He plans to study Sports Communications in college and pursue a career in Sports Media. He is also a member of NHS, SALT, Friar Faithful, Special Needs Ministry and Franciscan Youth Ministry.
