PREVIEW: Cyclones 2010-11 Basketball

After finishing last year's regular season in a three-way tie for the Nassau County Conference A championship, and then losing in overtime to Westbury in the conference semifinals , coach Jerry D'Angelo said this year's Cyclones' team has the tools and skills set to reach the next plateau and become county champs.

Though the team graduated seven seniors, D'Angelo looks to two juniors and a senior to lead the Cyclones back to the top of the conference rankings. Junior Darren Nickelson will be the team's starting point guard, and D'Angelo said that over the last year, the 5'11'' point guard has improved in every facet of his game. "He's explosive and extremely quick," he said. "Defensively, he's a hound. He terrorizes other point guards with his quick hands and feet. He's the engine that makes us go."

D'Angelo noted that Nickelson could easily average 12 to 14 points a game along with seven to eight assists. He added that even at 5'11'', Nickelson is probably the team's second best rebounder and among the five best point guards in the county.

Junior Ryan Spadaford will be the team's most versatile player, D'Angelo noted. The 6'4'' forward can play anywhere on the court, and will most likely be moved around to guard the opponent's best offensive player. Consistency is the key to Spadaford's success, D'Angelo added, but he has the tools, along with a high basketball IQ, to dominate at his position.

"This kid can do everything," the coach said. "He's a good shooter, an excellent rebounder, and can guard a big or small. He can play at least three different positions. He's the X-factor on the team."

Returning senior guard Kevin Waxon has bulked up over the off-season, and D'Angelo will look to him to be an on-court leader. D'Angelo explained that Waxon is one of the team's smartest players, and knows how to come off curls and play help side defense. He has a deceptively quick first step to the rim, D'Angelo explained, and he's one of the team's purest shooters.

Add that to Holy Trinity transfer Kevin Coyle, who can be the team's best three-point shooter, and the Cyclones have the height, speed and skill to reclaim their spot among the best basketball teams in the county.

"We're going to out-hustle you, spread you out wide on offense, and play fundamental half-court defense," he said. "We have four kids on the floor that can shoot the three. Our staple is we push the ball and attack anytime we can."

South Side tips off its season on Dec. 7 at Uniondale High School at 7 p.m.