Carle Place High School's Boy Varsity Basketball Team had a season full of memorable moments and success. Coach Jim Colligan completed his 28th varsity and 32rd overall basketball season at Carle Place Middle/High School. When asked to describe this championship season, Colligan said he was extremely proud of his team. Their vision, hard work and desire served as the real catalyst for the team's many successes.

After suffering some early season injuries to two starters, Bobby Kiernan (broken arm) and Justin Schmiemann (sprained ankle), the Frogs rallied from a 5-3 record to win 14 straight, on their way to the New York State Public High School Class "B" Championship Game. The team's mission was to "run the table" and achieve a County "B" Championship and a possible trip to Glen Falls for the Final Four.

Listed below are the team highlights and honors: Undefeated Town of Oyster Bay Summer League Champions (12-0); Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament Champions; Conference B/C Runners-up; Nassau County Class "B" Champions; Long Island/Regional "B" Champions and NYS Class "B" Finalist (19-4 overall season record).

This year's team was led by two talented front line players, 6'4" Chris Conlon (all-County and Conference B/C Player of the Year) and 6'4" Justin Schmeimann (All County and NYS Class B All-Tournament Team). Newcomer Bobby Kiernan (All-Conference and NYS Class "B" All-Tournament Team) provided the energy and leadership at the point guard position. The remaining senior starter, Conor Reardon (All Conference) and junior guard, Pete Gaffney (Class "B" County All-Tournament Team) provided some great defense and clutch baskets throughout the season. Seniors Kevin Smith and Matt Musumeci also played pivotal roles for the team. Juniors Michael Gaffney and Ryan Nordmann stepped up when called upon and made their contributions as well. Thankfully, the team will also return some other talented players, juniors Matt Dimmling, Ben Joselson, Andrew McIntosh, Bryan Offermann and Michael Paffmann.

The team would like to thank the wonderful support that it received throughout the year from parents, fans, varsity cheerleaders and classmates. Special thanks to Coach Stu Raphael, volunteer coach Jack Kearney, statistician and announcer Craig Filazzola, J.P. Golligan (playoff coach and scout), Michael Kelly (summer league/camp coach), Paul Schafer (official scorer) and last but not least, "RJ" Amzler, the team's water boy. It was a total team effort.

Season highlights included huge wins over Friends Academy "NYS CLASS "C" Semi-finalist), Malverne (regular season and County "B" Championship Game), Bayport-Blue Point (Suffolk County Class "D", "B", and "A" champions) and JFK Somers Catholic (NYS Class "B" Semi-finals) who was last year's Class "B" NYS and Federation Champions.

This year's team went further than any other team in our school's history and will most likely be inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. Congratulations on a great season and for making the Carle Place community proud.