With its season not set to start until Dec. 13, we delayed the Mount Vernon preview story a week. It ran Sunday in The Journal News and takes a look at the new-look Knights, who, after winning back-to-back state championships, graduated all five starters for the second straight year. The remaining players from those teams hope to ensure the area’s top program simply retools rather than reloads.
Here’s the preview, followed by a look at Mount Vernon’s 2012-13 schedule…
• • • • •
MOUNT VERNON — Josh Doughty has heard the buzz. He’s taken all talk that Mount Vernon might be in for a rebuilding year and let it seep in, storing it as motivation.
Not that he needs it. Doughty and the Knights’ other returning contributors will concede their team lost more than most, but, as reserves on a two-time state champion, they are eager for a greater opportunity.
They also know nothing other than winning.
“We’re not used to losing,” Doughty said. “We’ve won states two times in a row, so we’re trying to get there again. We don’t want it to be a letdown. We want to win everything again.”
To achieve that goal, Mount Vernon will be forced to replace five senior starters, something last year’s team accomplished without a hitch. But this year’s group isn’t blessed with the size and star power of the Class of 2012, which, among other things, included Isaiah Cousins, who has already earned a starting spot at Oklahoma as a freshman.
Coach Bob Cimmino has anointed Doughty the new leader after he served as a backup point guard the last two seasons.
“I like the pressure,” Doughty said. “I worked hard for this moment, so I should be able to lead this team to a lot of wins. They’re going to help me. I think we should be good.”
Of course, that will require far greater production from acrobatic senior Jamal Lewis and rugged 6-foot-4 juniors Brandon Martin and Yhanni Bartley. All played minutes last season with varying degrees of success.
“We have an opportunity to shine now,” Lewis said.
Senior forward Jalen David earned most of his minutes in lopsided wins, but his scoring touch could make a difference after the Knights graduated most of their offense. Doughty believes David can lead the team in scoring.
“I think he realizes he has the green light if he does things on defense,” Cimmino said.
In the preseason, junior guard Devonte Banner quickly secured a role with the returning group with his scoring, defense and toughness. But none of those players stand taller than 6-4, leaving the Knights vulnerable, especially against the non-league giants that populate its schedule.
“We’re small, but we’re strong. We’re tough,” Martin said. “If we play bigger people, we’re going to take advantage of it. We’re going to run.”
And they’ll need to. The Knights open with three games in Edmonton Thursday through Saturday and will follow with dates against Bishop Loughlin, Bishop Kearney and Wadleigh in addition to two games in Erie, Pa., Jan. 19-20. Bishop Kearney, a Rochester-area team that will play Mount Vernon at West Point on Jan. 6, has a front line comprised of 6-10, 6-10 and 6-9 forwards.
Cimmino compared this to his 2009-10 team, one that lost six regular season games (two to New Rochelle) but rallied to win the gold ball anyway.
“Our goal is to get better and I think our schedule is going to allow for that,” Cimmino said. “We’re going to get beat up along the way. If our record is not so good, it doesn’t really matter. Crunch time for us is the playoffs.”
• • • • •
I know people are interested in Mount Vernon’s schedule, so I have posted it below. If you count them up and are wondering, yes, the Knights are actually still looking to book an 18th game.
Mount Vernon, 2012-13 Schedule
December
Dec. 13-15 — GoAuto REB Invitational Basketball Tournament in Edmonton, Canada (3 games)
Dec. 22 — vs. Bishop Loughlin, at Wadleigh High School, 4:15 p.m.
January
Jan. 6 — vs. Bishop Kearney, at West Point, 4:15 p.m.
Jan. 9 — at Mamaroneck, 4:15 p.m.
Jan. 11 — HOME vs. Scarsdale, 4:15 p.m.
Jan. 15 — at White Plains, 4:15 p.m.
Jan. 17 — at New Rochelle, 4:15 p.m.
Jan. 19 — vs. Erie McDowdell, at Erie, Pa., 8:30 p.m.
Jan. 20 — vs. Toronto Academy, at Erie, Pa., 8:30 p.m.
Jan. 26 — HOME vs. Benjamin Bannekea, 2 p.m.
Jan. 29 — HOME vs. Mamaroneck, 4:15 p.m.
Jan. 31 — at Scarsdale, 4:15 p.m.
February
Feb. 1 — HOME vs. Wadleigh, 5 p.m.
Feb. 6 — HOME vs. New Rochelle, 4:15 p.m.
Feb. 8 — HOME vs. White Plains, 4:15 p.m.
37 Comments
GOLD IS IN REACH;
NOTE; IN THE CANADA TORNAMENT THEIR IS A TEAM NAMED “WOODROW WILSON”FROM DALLAS TX.THEY WILL HAVE PLAYED 9 GAMES ALREADY IF MOUNT VERNON REACHES THE FINALS,AND THEY HAVE ALREADY BEATEN THE #7 TEAM IN THE NATION AND ARE AS TALL AS BISHOP KEARNEY.
GOOD LUCK TO MOUNT VERNON BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM,LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER EXCITING SEASON#GOLD#GOLD#AND MORE GOLD
they have scrimmaged Lincoln, CTK, St Rays, St Anthonys and played IS8. Bob will have them ready. Its a long trip but I believe the first game is against the host team who just wants to say they got on the court with MV.
Junior Brandon Martin is the best player on the team, not Josh Doughty. Brandon is real tough and will be a monster this year. Josh needs to remember that he is a point guard and dish, not shoot as much. Jamal Lewis and Jalen David are probably their second and third best players. If Josh plays a good point and doesn’t look to shoot first, he can be a great player.
“We’re small, but strong. We’re tough” Thanks to Coach Pete and the others ar FASST. Yet again Josh you refuse to recognize the special work they do in the weightroom and the staff at FASST.
HAYWOOD
NEW RO WILL WIN THE #GOLD BALL THIS YEAR!!..
SECTION
#CHAMPS IN #FOOTBALL AND #BASKETBALL!!...
Josh
I know the Jan 6th at west point is a showcase event. Can you find out who else is playing that day?
haywood-Are those teams in the Canada tournament even that good?I’m sure they could’ve found tougher competition elsewhere
It’s Jalen David not Jamal. The Knights will be fine. Coach Cimmino’s comparison to ‘09-’10 is interesting. Hopefully, we won’t have to endure two regular season losses to NewRo before it’s “3 times is a Charm” for the Gold Ball. Going in to every season the Goal is ALWAYS the GoldBall because w/o that You Don’t GO TO STATES! So if the Kids listen to their NY Bball Hall of Fame inducted Coach they will be FINE. Can’t wait for the season to begin. Especially w/ all the State Champ Footballers playing for NewRo’s 1st yr coach. Should be interesting. Hey Knights! NewRo beat Harborfields a team that won the Fed for Class A schools last yr. SO PAY ATTN & DO WORK
Correction: Harborfields lost to LI Lutheran 62-61 in last yrs Fed.NewRo still beat a defending Class A NYSPHSAA Champ. Be prepared for the challenge from your Neighboring City
I don’t know how good Niagra Falls is going to be this year but they beat Bishop Kearney this past Saturday. New Ro will be good and the Knights need to watch them, but I would not use Harborfields as an example. They are nowhere near as good as they were last year.
Here we go again with New Ro… sos, blah blah blah. Its the game played in White Plains that counts, and if Rice and McDermott were not together for one game it will be about 25 years since New Rochelle ended MV’s season. Turf season is over.
Insider “They are nowhere near as good as they were last year.” exactly! When you lose Woodhouse and Ringdon you pretty much start over. The run this group of Harborfields kids had the past 3 years was outstanding.
Still well coached and have a decent big man, but the win should be kept in the right perspective.
HRs,
You are the guy I wanted to here from about harborfields,thanks for putting new RO’s victory in check
Just thought I would post the Peekskill Schedule as well in case anyone was interested.
12-8-12 SATPOUGHKEEPSIE @ NEWBURGH HS2:00PM
12-11-12 TUES@PUTNAM VALLEY6:00PM
12-14-12 FRIBEACON 7:00PM
12-29- 12 SATSOUTH SHORE @COUNTY CENTER3:00PM
01-04-13 FRI@ KENNEDY CATHOLIC4:30PM
01-08-13 TUESPANAS6:15PM
01-09-13 WED @PELHAM4:45PM
01-11-13 FRIGREELEY (ALUMNI NIGHT) 7:00PM
01-14-13 MON@ OSSINING4:30PM
01-16-13 WED@LAKELAND6:15PM
01-21-13 MONMSGR. McCLANCY @ SACRED HEART HS TBA
01-25-12 FRIYORKTOWN7:00PM
01-26-13 SAT@MAHOPAC8:00pm
01-28-13 MONKENNEDY CATHOLIC 6:15PM
01-30-13 WED@PANAS4:30PM
02-02-13 SAT@ GREEN TECH (ALBANY)1:00PM
02-05-13 TUES LAKELAND6:15PM
02-07-13 THURS@YORKTOWN7:00PM
Wood those were two of the main guys and you know how much I loved Woodhouse. But here are some of the main starters they lost:
Woodhouse- at Longwood
McCloud-at Molloy
Ringen-at Dominican
Patron- Think JC(not sure but he is playing)
Now they still have Brady who is 6’8 and an excellent coach but they are without a doubt a shell of what they have been. They will most likely never have the run they recently had again.
There was a Patron in the box score on Saturday, is that a lil’ brother?
Milton , John was a senior last year. This is Jon. I am assuming its his little brother but I will find out. The kid Brady(had 13pts, 10 boards and 5 blocks) who is there has already committed to play with Woodhouse at Longwood.
I watched the game on MSG. Clarke was the best player on the court.
HRs,
Can you tell me YOUR 3 best teams on long island in AA,A?
good question….
1) Best team is LuHi hands down in my opinion. Not sure its even close. Facey is a complete beast(UCONN) and can dominate the inside at any point. I love there guard play as well. Atkison, Boyd and Quashie are nice. If KJ Lee stayed they would have been even better. Remember they are a AA team this year not A. So MV or anyone may run into them come playoff time.
2) A)St. Marys to me will be there in the end. Jesse Govan(6 ft 9) is a very big boy who keeps getting better. Sky is the limit for him. They also have a kid named Millhaven who is far from a true athlete but yet fills the box score with hard work and hustle. They also have some nice guard play. Still young and need to gel but like them down the stretch
2)B) St. Johns the Baptist has a legit big man as well in Kyle Williams. Already offered from Manhattan. They too have good guard play Abbondola and Ginyard(who I really like) are legit.
**They play twice so we will see the outcome. I give St. Marys the nod because of Govins but I also like their out of conference schedule better.
3) I am going to give it to Uniondale. Always good guard play and this year no except. Crust and Ritchie are nice. Forwards are super athletic with decent size. My problem with them is always out of conference and overall coaching. Too wild for my liking. But with that being said, they still find ways to win and be a top team
Many people are very high on Deer Park this year. They have a 6 9 kid and a PG in Williams who I absolutely love( I spoke about him last year and actually said he needs to leave there) Why leave and why didn’t I pick them?? Their coach is horrendous. Year after year he has very good talent. Yes I am being critical and rightfully so. This is a situation where his moves are as detrimental as a kids turnover. Maybe the talent will overcome his inabilities but I doubt it…
I saw Bishop, Kearney at states last year and was underimpressed. They were very tall, but not much else, so we’ll see what happens this year. Mt Vernon has a way of neutralizing size disadvantages, so don’t discount them solely because of the lack of a traditional big man.
HRs,
Thanks for info.Mr. always reliable,LLLLLLOOOOOLLLLL
HRs,
Kevin Jones vs Knicks at garden on Saturday night
Some interesting results out of the CHSAA already this year. Hayes beat Loughlin by 4. Christ the King beat Hayes by 1. St Rays hasn’t played any of the top CHSAA teams yet. CTK and Loughlin should be the top teams in Brooklyn/Queens with Molloy and Xaverian able to make some noise. Hayes and St Rays should be the Top 2 in Bronx/Manhattan. Stepinac may be able to make some noise in the B/M.
LOL… Wood!! The island is pretty decent this year. A lot of old school bigs which you don’t see too much anymore. Well see how that translates. You would be a huge fan of the PG at Deer Park. Aaren Edmead is his name. You will be hearing it a lot. Only a junior.
Luhi will be a tough out for anyone in AA. If they were in the A this year they would have been on a crash course with Burke. And to see that game would have been worth the price of admission. Supposedly a great game the other day when they played. Luhi hung on.
With regards to Kevin, I hope the minutes increase. I mean he played 9 minutes against the Twolves and grabs 4 rebounds!!!
Hey Josh or anyone out there who can answer this question…Does anyone know if Sir Aaron Taylor is still playing football, checked the Youngstown St. Roster and he wasnt on it and couldnt find anything about him transferring…anyone with any info?
HOOPS FAN/HRs,
FIRST STATE POLLS HAS ;
#1 CHRIST THE KING
#2 SOUTH SHORE
#3 LINCOLN
#4 MOUNT VERNON
LONG ISLAND LUTHERAN #5
bball fan… Not sure. He’s on the website, but does not have any defensive stats. Maybe he got hurt.
Sorry. I really don’t know.
Haywood and HRS,
This is going to be an interesting year in AA. I know Sound Shore has two studs and a few athletic bigs…I’m still not sold on the coaching necessary to pull out the big ones they’ll have to win down the stretch. I’m not as up to date on all the incoming transfers that Boys and Lincoln have every year. I’d imagine the PSAL comes down to those 3 – SS, Lincoln and Boys with Jefferson and Wings following them. Christ the King might be the slight favorite in the CHSAA, but I think Hayes and Loughlin are right behind them. By the end of the year, I wouldn’t be surprised if St Rays was in the mix also. Luhi should add an extra level of interest to the Feds – usually one team had a major advantage getting a bye into the Final – now there will be 4 legit semi teams.
I’m sure MV will get it together and be there at the end – they always do.
I will say one thing about MV’s schedule as a basketball fan. Its great they travel and the kids get experiences around the country. But I have to be honest, I wish MV would play more NYC powers. Its good they’re playing Loughlin, but there are so many very good programs in NYC – Hayes, St Rays, CTK, Lincoln, Boys, Jefferson, Wings, etc. MV plays Banneker and Wadleigh which don’t exactly bring the same kind of excitement as the top PSAL and CHSAA teams bring.
Hoops,
Right now the top pubs in NYC might be Jefferson and Lincoln. Jefferson spanked Boys & Girls by 20 at Boys & Girls. South Shore is def solid with Sheppard and crew. I saw Lincoln demolish Westinghouse a few weeks ago. Isaiah Whitehead might be the best player in New York state. His jumpshot is unstoppable, and his range is unreal. I’m not too sold on Wings yet, but they might be ok. Lincoln will have a nice test this weekend against the top public school in the country Chester (Philly area) led by Rondae Jeffeson (Arizona commit). I think you’re right on with the CHSAA, in the end it’ll be CTK, Loughlin and Hayes. Im not sold on St. Rays yet because they lost all 5 starters plus coach went to Manhattan.
As for MV. We’ll see. The Bishop Kearney game is big, but Niagara Falls just took down Bishop Kearney so its not an impossible task. Kearney also looks like they have weak guard play from what I’ve seen. I think the AA mix is MV, New Ro, and I wouldn’t sleep on Clarkstown North and North Rock. But I dont think MV is a favorite for states, and definitely not for feds.
Rocket,
I heard St Rays got a 6’10” soph transfer from the Dominican Republic, so if he is good that could change their season. They had a 6’6” soph last year who looked like he would be very good. St Rays always has decent guard play, they have a Jr Kayvon WIlliams who is supposed to be very good. I think St Rays is a year away from contending for the title again, but they could be be good enough to beat some of the top teams.
I’m generally never that high on Wings. I think Wings often skates by without playing the top teams in Brooklyn and can sail into the city semis without having to play the brooklyn teams.
I don’t think Kearney has a chance vs MV. With average guard play, they’ll never get the ball past half court!
I would’ve liked to see MV play Stepinac this year. Step would have the best player on the court in Josh James. Both teams play very up tempo, trapping, running style – would be an entertaining game.
TO BE HONEST;
THIS MOUNT VERNON TEAM WILL HAVE A CHALLENGE IN MOST GAMES OUTSIDE OF SECTION 1 AND (NEW RO),THEY HAVE TALENT AND WILL FIGHT HARD,THEY WILL BE MORE THAN READY TO TAKE ON ALL COMERS AT THE COUNTY COME MARCH,TRUST ME.
HOOPS,
MV STILL HAS A GAME THEY CAN SCHEDULE,MAKE A PHONE CALL,LLLOOOLLL
pretty sure Step MV squred off at new ro summer league..Brandon and Jamal are very good athletes..
Hoops,
Interesting about St. Rays, I guess they can reload, and its the CHSAA..anything can happen. The CHSAA on an average year is the most competitive league in the country and anyone can show up. However…the Brooklyn AA division teams can hang with CHSAA teams, just not sure if they have the same amount of depth. I hope Rays can make it competitive. I followed them last year because Dingle committed to my alma-mater.
And I’m with you, I hope MV destroys Kearney. I think they can if Niagara Falls did. I highly doubt Niagaras guard play is like MVs. Does anyone know how MV did against Rays and Lincoln in their scrimmages?? Overall I feel their doesnt seem to be any worldbeating NYSPHSAA teams this year at the AA. I feel the top 10 polls will be exclusively PSAL/CHSAA teams. Hopefully MV/New Ro can represent.
Space,
Mv won their summer league matchup big. Though step was without 2-3 starters including their outstanding jr guard naim Thomas. I think a regular season matchup could be interesting and should be a yearly thing