The boys varsity basketball team fell one place short of a playoff spot in head coach Jim Hegmann's debut season. This year, second place will not suffice. Returning nearly a full contingent from last year's breakthrough squad generates high expectations for Mineola hoops. This year's team is primed to make a strong showing in Conference ABC-IV.

Senior co-captain TJ Gessner will drive the Mustang train in his third season as starting point guard. Fresh off an All-Conference selection last season and chosen as one of the top 40 players in Nassau during a fall tryout, Gessner is the leader required for all good teams to win consistently. The senior is currently being recruited at a number of college levels and is determined to direct the Mustangs to their first playoff game since the mid-1980's.

Fellow All-Conference appointee Sammy Seda also brings three years experience at the Varsity level to the current version of the Mustangs. Seda may be one of the most athletic players ever to wear the black and red and welcomes the up tempo style employed by Hegmann's current offense.

The biggest beneficiary of these established players is junior shooting guard TJ Winters. Winters complements the best talents of Gessner and Seda in his second year as a starter and has established himself as the consistent scorer in the early going. Should opponents shift their focus to Winters, Gessner and Seda will ably pick up the slack.

The most significant development is the appearance of size in the Mustang frontcourt. The team trots out 6'5'' senior Joe Spollen and 6'5'' freshman Jimmy Bulva to balance the three-guard setup.

Spollen brings renewed vigor to the offense and is a shot-blocking force on the defensive end. Bulva is growing into his starting role and has made tremendous strides working with this group since mid-summer. His height avoids teams from collapsing on Spollen in the paint as balls are kept alive on the glass. Juniors Jimmy Ward and Robert Sallie spell the big men while senior Zack Chichi provides muscle on the boards.

Early season tournaments have been a boon to team confidence. Both the Manhasset Mueller Sims tourney (versus Manhasset and Hempstead) and the Great Neck North Morrison tourney (versus North Shore and Great Neck North) provided the opportunity to play stronger competition and have reserves see considerable playing time.

Senior guard Terry Mooney and junior guard Steven Gaffney have been involved in crucial situations during both invitation-only affairs. The Hempstead and Great Neck North contests saw the Mustangs line-up against college-committed players while maintaining tight control of the lead until late in the games. Senior co-captain Alec Schoenholz, senior Brandon Havercome and junior transfer Matt Valla have all made appearances during the non-conference schedule.

Opponents such as Clarke, New Hyde Park and Seaford return for league play while Bethpage, Locust Valley and Lynbrook provide a new look.

Reggie Carter Night on January 11 is the most popularly attended game on the schedule with the announcement of the spiritual award named for the deceased St. John's great and former Mineola High School assistant principal as the feature event. The non-conference slate also includes Coaches vs. Cancer night on January 25 against Levittown Division. The night has special meaning for Hegmann due to the tragic death of fellow Elmont teacher and girls basketball coach Greg Petrocelli last season.

This year's group may establish a return to prominence for Mustang boys basketball not seen since the Bruce Gehrke era. For this set of basketball-starved junkies, anything less than a playoff spot will be disappointing.

Hegmann's mantra of "32 minutes" has never been more prophetic than in early season losses to quality schools from upper divisions. The response to these losses has led to more spirited practice sessions and a united front from the entire team.

Hegmann's experience as a Long Island All-Star and collegiate starter is something easily transferred to this devoted group. Come February, there could be surprises in store for the Nassau County basketball tournament. The Mustangs could very well be in the bracket.

Following the example set last year for varsity boys basketball, girls high school hoops conferences will be aligned by ability. This will be an immediate advantage to Denise Zunno's Lady Mustangs as they recover from last year's struggles against far superior competition and prepare for an even playing field.

Adding a core of young and astute basketball players to blend with experienced starters has already paid dividends with two early wins on the conference schedule. These ladies will be fighting to gain the only playoff spot, awarded to the conference champion, available in the upcoming season.

Returning co-captain, senior forward Jamie Medlock, anchors the squad as the inside presence needed to perform. Complementing Medlock is a pair of savvy guards in junior co-captain, shooter MaryAnn Sanderleaf, and sophomore floor general Samantha Stavish. Both add another year in the starting lineup to their resumes with Stavish among the finest defenders during Zunno's tenure. Three freshmen expect to get significant minutes as guard Heather Gessner, forward Kalie Medlock and center Christine Barry provide depth and a future for the Lady Mustangs program. Fellow seniors Nicole Reardon and Vicky DosSantos exhibit leadership to a team that could see minutes spread along the bench without sacrificing quality. Team height, a missing ingredient in past seasons, is in plentiful supply this year.

Zunno has high hopes with the new alignment. The more accurate placement along with a strong work ethic and team commitment has the distinct possibility to turn last year's losing season into a solemn memory. While in some ways 2008 is a rebuilding season, the expectations are realistic for a return to the playoff for the first time in many years. Zunno's 22 years as head coach and over 200 career victories provide the background necessary to succeed. Adding alumnus (and former lacrosse All-American and national champion) Katherine Hock to her staff last year generates perspective that will help in the players' development.

The conference schedule, which includes games against Great Neck North, Cold Spring Harbor, Carle Place, Valley Stream North, Glen Cove and Oyster Bay, kicks into full gear in early January. Already the girls have had their season highlight via a Christmas week effort on the floor of Madison Square Garden.

Joining the boys team for Reggie Carter Night on January 11 is the signature home event for the Mustang winter sports program. Not only does it recognize an individual player for spirit and teamwork, but it generates considerable funding for scholarships.

By early February, this team should have a pretty good handle on the battle for the Conference VI championship.