A group of talented and experienced players paced the J. Taylor Finley Middle School seventh grade boys’ basketball team to a 7-3 record this winter.
Captained by Dylan Coleman, Kevin Drake and Max Rentsch, the Falcons never failed to put a skilled group of five players on the floor at all times. Rich Agnello coached the team, which consisted of 15 motivated athletes.
Coleman was one of the team’s floor generals from his point guard position. “He’s an outstanding ball handler, a good shooter and a scorer,” Agnello said.
Finley-7 boys' basketball coach Rick Agnello.
Finley also benefitted by Drake’s sharp play at center. “He is a mismatch with his combo of size and speed,” Agnello said. “He’s an excellent rebounder.”
Rentch was another of the Falcons’ exceptional point guards. “Max is an outstanding all-around player with an extremely high skill set,” Agnello said. “He’s a great playmaker and scorer and very coachable.”
Aidan McNulty was another of the team’s standouts. “He’s one of the hardest working players that I’ve ever coached,” Agnello said. “He practiced and played every game giving 100 percent effort. He’s a good all-around player and is really fast; a blur on the court.”
Finley defeated Commack (47-21, 50-46 and 41-32), Lindenhurst (50-28 and 55-25) and Candlewood (53-37 and 61-38). The Falcons dropped games to Candlewood (57-55) and West Hollow (59-47 and 53-36).
Agnello cited Josiah Melendez, Charlie Girimonti and Johnny Chirico as Finley’s most improved players. The Falcons also received contributions from Jack Cesare, Elias Frazier, Max McCarthy, Liam McDonald, Bryce Robinson Walter Vohs, Shane Walsh and Clayton Ward.
Brian Carey, Huntington High School’s varsity boys’ basketball head coach liked what he saw when he watched Finley-7 play. “There are many talented kids with a ton of potential on that team,” the veteran sideline mentor said.