Printer Friendly Version - Yellowjackets’ Boys’ Hoops Looks to Ascend with Athletic, Dedicated Club

Angelo D’Amato is one of seven seniors on the East Haven boys’ basketball squad this winter as the Yellowjackets aim higher following an 11-11 overall campaign last winter. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

Senior Theo Rawls returns for his fourth season of varsity for the East Haven boys’ basketball team, as the Yellowjackets look to continue the program’s growth and build upon dual postseason berths last year. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

The East Haven boys’ basketball team heads into the upcoming season boasting a squad stacked with athleticism. Yet beyond pounding the paint and tickling the twine, the Yellowjackets are ready to produce a club that the community can be proud of both on and off the floor.

One year ago, Head Coach Frank Lyon and East Haven qualified for both the SCC Tournament and the Division III State Tournament with its regular-season record of 11-9. The Yellowjackets earned the No. 11 seed for the league draw and took a first-round loss to No. 6 Amity by a 64-45 final on Feb. 24. East Haven then opened up states as the No. 13 seed and played a first-round road game versus No. 20 seed Guilford, suffering a 64-38 defeat to the Grizzlies on March 8. This loss led East Haven to finish the season with an even overall mark of 11-11.

Lyon noted that while the Yellowjackets are certainly focused on returning to the postseason fold, they are equally locked in on putting out a collective product that can get the gym rocking and continue to revitalize the program.

“We are trying to build up a team that the community here can rally and get behind,” said Coach Lyon. “We are looking to continue to build up what we’ve done in years past. We want to build up the honor and pride of East Haven basketball. We have so many iconic players from the town, so we want to bring that tradition back.”

East Haven has yet to name captains for the team, though there is plenty of senior presence with a seven-man class. Theo Rawls returns as a four-year varsity letter earner, and he is accompanied by Angelo D’Amato, Dom Salato, Josiah Perez, Rocco Lombardi, Caleb Kaiser, and Radames Roberts.

“Theo has the ability to be one of the best guards in the league, and we will look for him to show leadership on and off the court,” Lyon said. “Angelo has the potential to be one of our better players and the X-factor on our team. DJ has good leadership qualities and is a gifted athlete. Josiah is quick with the ball and has natural abilities with ball handling. Rocco is the heart and soul of the team. He is one of the most positive guys I’ve coached and has come a long way on the court. Caleb is a one-year basketball guy, and Radimus is a defensive wizard.”

Additionally within the underclassmen makeup, the Yellowjackets house players that will figure to be key factors in team success with juniors Greg Popolizio, Brian Velez, and Dom Galletti; plus a strong sophomore grouping of London Garcia, Rocco D’Amato, Billy Barthel, Anthony Fazio, and Nick Bilides; along with freshman Drew Kitson.

“Greg works very hard as a player. Brian is a three-year player. Dom is a transfer from Notre Dame-West Haven. They are positive and hard workers with bright futures,” said Coach Lyon. “We have a very good sophomore class with high energy and are natural leaders that push some of the older guys.”

East Haven will compete in the SCC Oronoque Division alongside Hand, North Haven, Cross, and Shelton. Lyon advises that life in the conference always presents a nightly battle, but he knows his group has the raw talent to handle the grind.

“Our games against Branford and North Haven are big, and we also have a holiday tournament at Grasso Tech. Yet every game is equally important,” said Lyon. “The SCC is a gauntlet; it is a deep conference and the best in the state in my opinion. We have to work hard on the court as we do not have a ton of size, but we have good, smart, athletic players.”

Looking to go a little bit further in their postseason pushes from a winter ago, the Yellowjackets and Lyon are eager to not only succeed on the hardwood but also away from it in the classroom and with cultivating critical friendships amongst each other.

“Off the court, we want everyone to make the honor roll and get the older guys accepted into college,” Coach Lyon said. “We would like to make both the SCC and state tournaments again. We have a good group of young men who are an athletic bunch. We also want to build life-long relationships, to have our guys be good players, and be good citizens in the community.”

Lyon is back for his second season as East Haven’s bench boss, and he is assisted by coaches Jeff Petrillo, Mike Ortiz, Conor Reynolds, and newcomer Vernon Moore.

In closing, Lyon thanked the entire staff of the East Haven Athletic Department for, “how much easier they make our lives and doing a lot of the things behind the scenes.”