Matt Elmore is one returning player from last season. “We’re looking for him to score,” said Sullivan. “And hoping that he can both stop the other post players and rebound.”

Another veteran face the Lions are going to count on is Matt Fox, a senior forward. Sullivan said that Fox is a good 3-point shooter and is counting on him to help the team with rebounding.

Horace Mann will also count on Alex Baudoin, a shooting guard, who his coach called “a tough defender with a good midrange game.”

Sullivan threw down a bit of a challenge to his young players. When asked if the Lions were going to equal their record of last season, he replied, “I don’t know, it’s going to be difficult.”

Riverdale Falcons

Don’t be fooled by the fact that Riverdale is a relatively young team, warns their coach Andrew Marinos, who is going into his sixth season.

“We’re a young team with experience, a lot of depth,” said Marinos. “We have a lot of juniors with experience. This is now their time to shine in the spotlight.”

The Falcons finished with a .500 record last season, at 12-12 in the Ivies, losing in the semi-finals of the playoffs to Rye Country Day School.

Defensively, the coach plans to use a mainly man-to-man approach, but will “play zone when it dictates.”

Marinos calls Riverdale’s offense “emotion-based, with screening and lots of ball and player movement.”

Russell Johnson, a junior forward, “can do a little of everything for us,” said Marinos. “He is a good outside shooter, good inside player, can defend on the perimeter and the post.”

The coach said he needs Johnson to recognize his full potential this season, with more scoring and continued strong defensive play.

Henry Stevens, a junior guard is a tremendously hard worker, his coach said, who “has a high basketball IQ.” The coach said that he needs Stevens to become a better offensive player and keep improving as a point guard.

 Armando Perez, a junior forward, could have the best basketball skills on the team, according to Marinos, who listed Perez’ skills in shooting, dribbling, passing and driving to the hoop.