Boys’ basketball returns this year on Dec. 3 at Magruder looking for revenge after losing 85-58 last year.
The boys had a promising season last year, finishing a game behind .500 at 10-11. They lost to Richard Montgomery in the first round of the playoffs 60-46. “We have been working hard this season and I think together we can have a great season,” senior guard Ryan Mariani said.
The team took a hit by losing guards Ryan Warshaw and Hitoshi Sato, forwards Zach Nannen and Julian Levin, and center Sam Alborta, who all graduated last year. The boys lost three big men, so it will be interesting to see how the Patriots make up for their lack of big men and height this year. “We lost a bit of height this year from last year, but I feel our quickness and athleticism of our guards will propel us this year,” senior forward Greg Urovsky said.
The boys do get back their best player, senior guard Kevin Ayissi-Etoh. After starting as a freshman and quickly becoming one of the best players on the team as a freshman, during his sophomore season Ayissi-Etoh tore his ACL. While recovering during his junior season tore his meniscus, but after rehab he is ready to play this season. “I feel good and I am ready to help us win,” Ayissi-Etoh said.
The Patriots do get back key players from last season. Junior forward Trey Wilson looks to have a big season, and the biggest strength of the team lies on their guards, who look to propel the team to states this year. The combination of Ayissi Etoh returning, Mariani, senior guard Garrett Koch, and junior guard Jack Lvovsky pack a strong core. “Our guards are the strong point of our team and I feel we can win many games when we all play together,” Wilson said.
Guards Lvovsky and Koch look to have a big season. Lvovsky came off the bench last year after being the only sophomore on varsity last year and looks to have a breakout season. Koch was one of the only sophomores on varsity in 2016, and had a breakout season last year during his junior season averaging 12.3 points per game and becoming one of the team’s best players. “Both of them are my friends, and I have seen them develop a lot over the past year, and I expect both of them to have big seasons,” Mariani said.
