The MacArthur High School varsity boys' basketball team tips off its 2007-08 season on Dec. 12 at 5 p.m. against Calhoun in the first round of a tournament at Wantagh High School.

The Generals home opener comes six days later, on Dec. 18 at 7:15 p.m. against conference-rival Valley Stream Central, which eliminated MacArthur from the playoffs last year, 77-68, despite a furious comeback that included a 19-point halftime deficit getting closed to four points late.

Led by second-year coach Eric Rubin, MacArthur's conference opponents also include Carey, Freeport, Great Neck South, Kennedy-Bellmore, Long Beach and Syosset.

The Generals welcome a new junior varsity coach this season as Mike Gattus, a physical education teacher at Gardiners Avenue Elementary School, joins the staff.

MacArthur returns five of its top seven scorers from last season: Mike Gattus (the JV coach's son) at 13.7 ppg; Tom Celentani, 6.2 ppg; Brett Tom, 6.1 ppg; Bobby Rossi, 3.3 ppg; and Vin Sanquini, 2.9 pgg.