We’re unveiling the most extensive and only prep school poll of its kind and we’ll take a look at Trinity Pawling (N.Y), which checks in at No. 18.
Head man Bill Casson, coming off a 23-3 campaign, was told to go young and that’s exactly what he did.
Four juniors, three sophomores and one freshman are on the roster and some of them will make valuable contributions this season.
``I think we’ll be alright in our league, but I’m not sure how it’ll translate into non-league,” Casson said. “I don’t know how good they are, but I was told to focus on being young and that’s what we’ve done.”
However, the go-to guy at TP this season should be 6-9, 225-pound Providence-bound big man Randall Henke. He’ll team with 6-8, 200-pound junior forward Reid Wittman on the frontline to give Casson some scoring and size down low.
While Henke has already made his decision, Wittman is starting to get looks from Vanderbilt, Miami and Virginia.
Arizona native Mark Meadows (5-8, 170), a sophomore, will probably battle with fellow quick sophomore Scott Draughon (5-8, 160), who hails from the Bronx, for the starting point guard spot.
Junior power forward Jamaal Benjamin (6-7, 220) should get plenty of time and 6-6, 170-pound sophomore wing Latrell Peeks, who can shoot it, could be ready to emerge this season.
Other players expected to battle for minutes include 6-5, 205-pound power forward Dominick White, 6-foot, 160-pound senior floor leader Spencer McIntosh, 6-3, 215-pound forward Jay Graber, 6-3, 175-pound wing Ian O’Boyle, 6-7, 185-pound freshman Andre Fuller, 5-8, 165-pound junior guard Jamaal Guyden and 6-3, 190-pound junior forward Sean Hopper.
``We’re really young and that’s one of the things we tried to do,” Casson said. “We may end up being even better than last year, but there’s that question of youth.”