Elmira-Corning boys basketball: Top players and teams at a glance
Two new coaches, a league change and an additional classification are among changes for Elmira-Corning region boys basketball teams as the 2023-24 season gets going.
The addition of Class AAA for New York state basketball means there will be six Section 4 champions instead of five. Last year Elmira beat Corning in the Class AA title game and they are the only AAA teams in the section.
Elmira has a new head coach in former Candor star Toby Foster, Section 4's No. 2 all-time scorer for boys hoops, while Aaron Thomson has taken over at Odessa-Montour.
Meanwhile, Waverly has made the move from the Interscholastic Athletic Conference to the Southern Tier Athletic Conference and features several players from the school's state championship football team.
Also of note is a significant National Federation of State High School Associations change in which boys teams now shoot two free throws while in the bonus instead of one-and-one. As part of that switch, teams reach the bonus when the opponent commits five fouls in a quarter instead of seven in a half. Girls basketball implemented the change a few years ago.
Corning
Last season's record: 9-6 (Section 4 Class AA runner-up).
Head coach: Mike Johnston Jr.
Class: AAA.
Players to watch: Eighth-grade guard Nolyn Proudfoot; sophomore guard/forward Kyler Stevenson; senior guard Gavyn Hogue; junior guard Mekai Daniels; senior guard/forward Caleb Anderson; senior forward Larsen Burch; sophomore guard Teigen Gill; freshman guard Kohl Hogue; junior forward Jeremy Spears; junior forward Nick Peet.
Coach's outlook: "Hard-working group of players that love basketball and play year-round. What we lack in the size department we make up for in the effort. When we shoot like we are capable of we are able to compete with the best teams in New York state. We will need players to continue to grow each game and compete every possession. Stay the course and trust the process. We look to be a better and much improved team at season's end when it matters most."
Elmira
Last season's record: 11-11, Section 4 Class AA champion.
Head coach: Toby Foster.
Class: AAA.
Players to watch: Senior forward/center Chris Woodard (12th-team all-state last season), junior guard/forward James Harris.
Coach's outlook: "Work hard to improve daily."
Horseheads
Last season's record: 11-8, Section 4 Class A champion.
Head coach: Jeff Limoncelli.
Class: AA.
Players to watch: Seniors Alex Daugherty and Dominick Russ; juniors Jack Fesetch (nine 3-pointers in season opener), Mason Holloway and John Durr.
Coach's outlook: "Continuing the development of our players, which will hopefully lead to some success in a very challenging schedule."
Waverly
Head coach: Louis Judson.
Last season: 19-3 (IAC Large School champion).
Class: B.
Returning players: Senior guard Joey Tomasso was first-team all-state last season and enters season with 1,381 career points after averaging 30.9 last season. Also, senior forward/guard Jake VanHouten; senior point guard Jay Pipher; senior forward Jacob Benjamin; sophomore guard Hogan Shaw; senior forward Jon Searles; senior guard Thomas Morley.
Newcomers: Senior guard Ethan Perry; junior forward Jonathan Williams; junior forward Xavier Watson; junior guard Kolsen Keathley; junior forward Jack Cheresnowsky; junior guard Nick Mattison.
Coach's outlook: "Once again the football season extended into the start of basketball (three weeks), winning a state title, and we're extremely behind with everything, a bit banged up, but the guys are working very hard to get back into basketball shape. Getting the guys conditioned is the number one priority. I’m not exactly sure who we are or what we’re going to be, but I know I have a lot of depth and talent on this team. Some of these players have never played together and building team chemistry is vital as we move forward throughout the season. Every minute in that gym will be very critical as we move into the holidays."
Interscholastic Athletic Conference
Elmira Notre Dame
Head Coach: Nick Weiermiller.
Last season: 10-11, earned a first-round sectional home game.
Class: C.
Players to watch: Senior Jeremiah Parker (first-team IAC South Large School all-star last year), juniors Gabe Patterson and Luke Richards, sophomore Finn Schweizer (IAC second-team all-star).
Coach’s Outlook: We have a good core of returning guys that were big contributors last season and we add some depth to all five positions with our newcomers. Our strength will be our shooting and guard play. Our newcomers add length and speed to allow us to do some more things defensively.
Odessa-Montour
Head coach: Aaron Thomson.
Last season: 5-14.
Class: C.
Players to watch: Sophomore Tyler Malnoske returns after earning second-team IAC South Small School all-star honors.
Thomas A. Edison
Head coach: Lenny Smith.
Class: B.
Players to watch: Junior Andrew Slaven.
Watkins Glen
Last season: 11-9, lost in Section 4 Class C semifinals.
Head coach: Scott Morse.
Class: B.
Players to watch: Seniors Ryan Willett and Alex Holmes; sophomore Christopher Simiele.
Coach's outlook: "This year we are still fairly young with only three seniors on the team.S eniors Ryan Willett and Alex Holmes should both have solid seasons. Ryan Willett brings a lot of experience to the team and Alex HoImes plays with so much energy and intensity on both ends of the floor. I think sophomore Christopher Simiele is going to be very good this year. Though young, Chris is a tough defensive player who can definitely score. We have an interesting mix of players with varying degrees of experience so it will be a work in progress to see how we can finish this year. I know they work hard every day to improve, and I couldn't ask any more than that."
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Preview of Elmira-Corning boys high school basketball teams in 2023-24
