Seaford Boys Basketball Aims High

It's a new year, and a new conference for the boys basketball team.  Conference champs a year ago, the Vikings will compete this year in A-IV, as affiliation is now determined by enrollment. 

Entering his 30th year at the helm is head coach Ralph Rossetti, who is confident his team can go further than a year ago, when they were bounced out of the playoffs in the first round by Westbury.

"I feel pretty good about this team," said Rossetti.  "They are very cohesive, they work hard, they distribute the ball pretty well, play good defense, we think we can compete with [anyone]."

Distribution is the key word.  Seaford plans to move the ball around a lot, and that starts with All-County point guard Rob Goldstein.  Rossetti says it's a different team when he's not on the floor, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem this year, as it's all expected to flow through the talented senior.

"He's a tough kid to defend," Rossetti says of his star point guard.  "We can isolate him, a little pick and roll, but we like to distribute."

Goldstein knows he's the quarterback on the court, and that a lot is expected of him this year.

"Set everyone up, put everyone in the right place, lead by example...lead the team on the court," Goldstein said of his role.

Joining Goldstein in the backcourt is James Gambina, who Rossetti says has put a lot of time in the offseason to improve his game.  Seaford deploys a three-guard look, which puts sophomore Richard DiPuma in the starting lineup as well.

Up front, senior Mike Siler will man the middle - a new role for him after playing on the wing last year.  He knows moving to the five will require an adjustment or two.

"I'm not normally a big man, I'm playing out of position so I have to get down low more and learn more post moves," Siler says.

Rossetti says the fact Siler's not a traditional big man gives him flexibility in how to deploy him.

"He can play in and out, we have him at the high post, and he pops out a lot, can take it off the dribble, he can post up and he can shoot," said Rossetti.

Anthony Medaglia is the projected starter at power forward, but will split time with Jared Saperstein.  Neither is a prototypical four, and Rossetti expects them to set screens, and get what he calls 'garbage points.'

Off the bench, expect Ray Anczelowicz and James Curly to see time.  Rossetti plans to change things up when they enter the game, by pressing and trapping more on defense.  Seaford is primarily a man to man squad, but will occasionally trap out of a 2-2-1 zone.

Not surprisingly, the Seaford coaches have been stressing ball protection in the preseason, and the players are responding, ready to take what they learn  with them in the weeks ahead.

"Play strong, aggressive, great defense...move the ball on offense, run the plays, score, win the game," said Gambina in summing up the plan.

Coach Rossetti says he has a good vibe from this group, and thinks his 30th season can be one to remember in Seaford.

"They care about each other," Rossetti says of his team.  "I'm very happy with them, I think we're going to do ok."