Peter Basel, former basketball standout and assistant men's varsity basketball coach at Garden City High School, has been appointed head men's varsity basketball coach and physical education teacher at Half Hollow Hills East High School in Dix Hills. The Half Hollow Hills East Thunderbirds compete in Suffolk County's Class A Leagues.

Basel was also assistant men's varsity basketball coach at Chaminade and Holy Trinity High Schools and Farmingdale University. In addition, he coaches at the prestigious basketball schools of the University of North Carolina, United States Military Academy at West Point and the Five-Star program for high potential college basketball prospects.

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington College in Chestertown, MD where he was captain of their basketball team. Subsequently, he served as their graduate assistant men's basketball coach. He also earned a Master of Science degree in physical education from Hofstra University. Basel grew up in Garden City and currently lives in Long Beach. He is the son of Doris and William Basel of Garden City.

There were over 1,000 competitors at the Soo Bahk Do Nationals, recently held at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. There were 55 students from Charles Water Karate & Fitness that attended. The three-day event offered training clinics, individual and team sparring and form championships. Abby McCauley earned third place in sparring, Alex DeMarchena earned a Participant Award, Debbie DeMarchena earned third place in sparring and Hector DeMarchena earned a Participant Award.