High School Boys Basketball

BY KIMBERLEY A. MARTIN

Since we still have a few days left before the High School Boys Basketball Preview hits newsstands on Sunday, I figured I'd give you a sneak peak at some of the teams and players that have piqued my interest so far.

NASSAU
* OK, I know it's early, but I'm calling it now. The team to watch this season, is Baldwin. Yes, Uniondale is an automatic contender for the Class AA championship because of its history. And so is Hempstead since the Tigers are the defending champs. But both teams are coming back with a lot less talent this season -- leaving the door wide open for the Bruins.

So far, Baldwin's 3-0 behind guard Chris Manning and Matt Brown (who has returned from a year at a Virginia Prep school). But what impresses me about Baldwin is that a variety of players can, and have, been scoring for coach Darius Burton. Nick Thomas had a career-high 21 points and 15 rebounds in the Long Island Challenge last weekend and he led all scorers with 19 point and 10 rebounds against Long Beach this past Wednesday. Plus, Anthony Lee can put up double-digits as well.

Like I said, it's still early (so all you Uniondale and Hempstead fans, don't be so quick to blast me on my first post). But just so know, I already have January 4th marked on my calendar...the day Baldwin heads to Uniondale.

* Two words....George Beamon. This kid is on fire -- and it's only December. The junior scored 57 points in his first two games at the Tom Robinson Memorial Tournament (27 points the first day, then 37). A week later, he unloaded 45 in a losing effort against Valley Stream Central. The battle for the Class A title is heating up, folks...

SUFFOLK
* I was shocked to learn Cameron Barber wouldn't be suiting up for Wyandanch this season. He was expected to shoulder most of the scoring responsibility now that big brother Chris had graduated, but it looks like first-year coach Andre Edwards will have to make due with a piece-meal offense. Don't get me wrong -- the Warriors can definitely score. Just watch junior Rashaud McQueen and senior Devon Bumpers. But the defending B champs are at a considerable disadvantage without Barber -- and they know it.

Of course there are a bunch of other things I could discuss right now, but if I did that, you wouldn't bother reading the preview...And we can't have that.