While the Blue Waves lost all five starters from last season's 17-4 team to graduation, seven players return, including a trio that played significant roles on the 2007-08 team.

Spinella will reshape his team around juniors Emily Commins and Kara Vonatzski, along with freshman point guard Jalyn Brown.

Commins, the first player off the bench the past two seasons, will start at shooting guard.

"Emily is big and can post up," Spinella said. "But she is also quick enough to get to the basket. She has a great three-point shot. She can do it all."

Vonatzski, a forward, is one of the strongest players on the team.

"Kara is our best defender," Spinella said. "She gets to the basket and knows how to box out. She also throws a great outlet pass."

Brown will take over at the point.

"Jalyn was groomed for the position last year," he said. "She has improved tremendously. She is ready to take over. She will be our catalyst."

Spinella knows his reloading team has a lot of work to do between now and Dec. 10, when Riverhead will host the Patchogue/Medford Raiders in the first non-league game.

"We've got a lot of kids trying out for the team," Spinella said. "For the first time, we have some tough decisions to make as to who we will keep on the team."

With only one senior on the team, Spinella knows this group will be together for two seasons.

"Speed and defense will be our strength," he said. "These kids want to work. They want to run. But we are small. We need to find ways to limit the other team to only one shot. If we stay healthy, we will be in every game."

Spinella's goal, as always, is to return to the playoffs. He believes that if his team can make the playoffs, "anything can happen."

"We are excited to get going," he said. "This group really feels it is their turn now. We want to show what we can do."

o

As the first day of practice drew near this week, there was an air of uncertainty surrounding the Bishop McGann-Mercy Monarchs. Before practice was set to begin yesterday, Monarchs Coach Jacki Paton was up in the air and noncommittal as to what to expect from her team, which went 2-12 last season. Paton said the initial two or three days of practice would not only be tryouts, but also feature conditioning and drills. "We just have to see who comes out for the team," she said. "Then we will separate who's who."

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