{"id":130251,"date":"2025-11-24T14:55:51","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T19:55:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com\/?p=130251"},"modified":"2025-11-24T14:55:53","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T19:55:53","slug":"basketball-preview-riverhead-and-swr-teams-look-to-start-season-strong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com\/2025\/11\/130251\/basketball-preview-riverhead-and-swr-teams-look-to-start-season-strong\/","title":{"rendered":"Basketball preview: Riverhead and SWR teams look to start season strong"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>As the weather inches toward freezing, local sports will head indoors, abandoning the gridiron for the hardwood. In this year\u2019s basketball preview, we\u2019ll take a look at some potential storylines across Riverhead and Shoreham-Wading River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Riverhead Boys Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/01\/WJL_6221-1-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124426\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/01\/WJL_6221-1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/01\/WJL_6221-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/01\/WJL_6221-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/01\/WJL_6221-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/01\/WJL_6221-1-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/01\/WJL_6221-1-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Bill Landon photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>Head Coach: Pat Fabian (second year)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last Season: [12-10], (8-4 League I), Second round playoff exit<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key Returnees: Peter Lagnena, 12, shooting guard; Anaiis Mitchell, 11, point guard; Landon Zaleski, 11, forward<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key Losses: Deshawn Watkins, Liam Lennon<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First Game:&nbsp; Thursday, Dec. 4: Ward Melville at Riverhead, 4:30 p.m.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com\/2025\/03\/124967\/riverhead-boys-basketball-heads-high-after-quarterfinal-loss\/\">Riverhead boys basketball team,<\/a> fresh off their first playoff berth since 2019, look to continue their ascent in League I. Pat Fabian\u2019s first year at the helm was a successful one, as Riverhead was able to defeat Commack, 48-47, in the first round of the playoffs to bring excitement back to Riverhead sports.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Riverhead Girls Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/WJL_4306-2-2048x1365-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-130277\" style=\"width:822px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/WJL_4306-2-2048x1365-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/WJL_4306-2-2048x1365-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/WJL_4306-2-2048x1365-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/WJL_4306-2-2048x1365-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/WJL_4306-2-2048x1365-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Credit: Bill Landon file photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>Head Coach: Kevin Ghigliotti (second year)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last Season: [8-8], (4-8 League I), missed playoffs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key Returnees: Kyleigh Lennon, 12, center; Adriana Martinez, 12, guard; Jordyn Kwasna, 12, guard<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key Losses: Logan Pilon, Brooke Andresen<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First Game: Tuesday, Dec. 2: Riverhead at Westhampton Beach, 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com\/2024\/12\/123530\/riverhead-girls-hoops-team-undefeated-so-far\/\">Riverhead girls basketball<\/a>&nbsp;team came out of the gates last season scorching hot, with a 4-0 record before heading into a very tough League I schedule. Their 8-8 final record was a major move forward for a program that had only five wins total in the previous two years combined.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though they lost top scorer Logan Pilon to graduation, the Blue Waves have plenty of returning talent to compete this season. Adriana Martinez has been a stalwart on the team for years. She\u2019s entering her fifth year on the varsity team and will look to lead the team to the playoffs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SWR Boys Basketball<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"527\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/WJL_2020-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-130280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/WJL_2020-1-1.jpg 527w, https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/WJL_2020-1-1-198x300.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Credit: Bill Landon file photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>Head Coach: Kevin Culhane (18 years)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last Season: [10-10] (5-9 League VI), missed playoffs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key Returnees: Zach Makarewicz, 11, guard; Tyler Lievre, 10, guard; Max Boerum, 12 forward; Carter Baumeister, 12 forward; James Cook, 12, guard<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key Losses: Dylan McClelland, Jack McInnis<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First Game: Friday, Dec. 5: Westhampton Beach at Shoreham-Wading River, 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOut of all the years I\u2019ve coached here, I think this team may have one of the best in terms of talent,\u201d coach Kevin Culhane said in the summer. \u201cI\u2019ve had some great teams, but if we can put it together like I think we could, we might have a special year and surprise a few teams.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Wildcats can score with the best of them. Any one of their starting five is capable of making a major contribution on the scoreboard. They\u2019ll rely on the hot hand on a game-by-game basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>SWR Girls Basketball<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/MixCollage-16-Jan-2025-04-19-PM-4493-1536x1536-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-130281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/MixCollage-16-Jan-2025-04-19-PM-4493-1536x1536-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/MixCollage-16-Jan-2025-04-19-PM-4493-1536x1536-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/MixCollage-16-Jan-2025-04-19-PM-4493-1536x1536-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/MixCollage-16-Jan-2025-04-19-PM-4493-1536x1536-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/MixCollage-16-Jan-2025-04-19-PM-4493-1536x1536-1.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>Head Coach: Chris Coster (first year)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last Season: [18-2] (14-2 League VI), Suffolk County Class A Semifinals Loss<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key Returnees: Kady Keegan, 12, guard; Anabel Keegan, 12, forward; Shealyn Varbero, 11, guard; Leslie Jablonski, 12, guard<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key Losses: Alyssa Bell, Grayce Kitchen, Morgan Lesiewicz<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First Game: Thursday, Dec. 4: Mattituck at Shoreham-Wading River, 4 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For the first time in two decades,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com\/2025\/01\/124212\/swr-stays-undefeated-with-come-from-behind-win\/\">Shoreham-Wading River girls<\/a>&nbsp;varsity coach Adam Lievre will no longer be on the sidelines. Lievre coached the team to the school\u2019s first Suffolk County championship in 2023 and was close to winning another in subsequent years. He decided to step away from the team to spend more time with his two sons \u2014 one of whom (Tyler) plays on the boys varsity team. Chris Coster steps into a polished program and will try to continue the legacy Lievre leaves behind.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Losing one of their best scorers, Alyssa Bell, to graduation, the Wildcats will need to fill the scoring gap left behind to remain competitive. Shoreham-Wading River always retools and rebuilds year after year.&nbsp; Their athletes always shine when the lights are the brightest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the weather inches toward freezing, local sports will head indoors, abandoning the gridiron for the hardwood. In this year\u2019s basketball preview, we\u2019ll take a look at some potential storylines across Riverhead and Shoreham-Wading River. Riverhead Boys Basketball Head Coach: Pat Fabian (second year) Last Season: [12-10], (8-4 League I), Second round playoff exit Key&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":331,"featured_media":124743,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1743,37],"tags":[18220,8254,13186,240,15559,11589,17693,10900,10287],"coauthors":[16616],"class_list":["post-130251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-story","category-sports","tag-boys-basketball-preview","tag-girls-basketball-preview","tag-premium","tag-riverhead","tag-riverhead-boys-basketball","tag-riverhead-girls-basketball","tag-shoreham-wading-river-girls-basketball-2","tag-shoreham-wading-river","tag-shoreham-wading-river-boys-basketball"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Basketball preview: Riverhead and SWR teams look to start season strong - Riverhead News Review<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As the weather inches toward freezing, local sports will head indoors, abandoning the gridiron for the hardwood. 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