With the regular season just days away, the Hampton Bays boys varsity basketball team tested their skills in six 10-minute periods on Dec.3 when they hosted Riverhead in a preseason scrimmage.
Hampton Bays Coach Pete Meehan had a healthy rotation of all his players, giving him the opportunity to take a good look at what he has to work with for the upcoming season.
With a final score of 69-62, the Baymen were able to edge a competitive Riverhead team in the final period of the scrimmage.
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Leading the team were senior guard Cameron Booth and junior forward Luke Mercurio. Both had solid efforts in the victory over Riverhead.
The Baymen finished with a 9-5 record in League VII last year and as a result, they look to continue their winning ways and make another playoff push in the Class B championships.
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Going into the season, the Baymen will have some voids to fill, with the loss of All-County guard/forward Bruno Cavallo and notable seniors, guards James Pace, Jon Martinez and forward Ryan Walker, coach Pete Meehan with look for other players to step up in their absence.
On the bright side, the Baymen return two of their more talented players, guard Cameron Booth and forward Luke Mercurio.
Mercurio, the teams leading rebounder last year emerged as a force to be reckoned with on the boards. Standing 5 feet 11 inches, Mercurio is not the tallest, but it's not his height that makes him such a formidable rebounder. Combining relentless effort and a great nose for the ball, Mercurio is trouble for even the tallest big men on the glass.
Fourth-year floor general Cameron Booth will look to keep a guiding hand on the Baymen, finishing second in points last year behind Cavallo. Booth, with more than 50 games of experience playing the point, looks to be solid as a rock for the Baymen this season.
"They're our one-two punch and they'll be the focal point of the offense" Meehan said.
Booth is one of five seniors on this year's roster. Classmates Ryan Lynch and Logan Egner will look to step up with accelerated roles this year. Lynch, a towering 6-foot-4, gives the Baymen good size and will provide a boost to the rebounding and intimidation departments.
On the other hand, forward/guard Logan Egner will have to work harder than most in order to prepare for the upcoming season due to the fact he did not play in his junior year.
Seniors Rob Liotta and Tom Agoglia are expected to miss four to six weeks with injuries to ankle and knee, respectively. Upon their return, both guards look to contribute greatly and solidify the Baymen lineup.
The Baymen will host a non-league match-up against Shoreham/Wading River on today at 5:45 p.m. and will travel to Smithtown East on Thurs. at 6:45 p.m. to begin their season.
Looking to get a good start to the season, the Baymen hope for a good result in preparation for their first league game against defending League VII champion Center Moriches on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.
In a wide open League VII, the baymen look to make a statement against Center Moriches.
