Boys Basketball Preview: The season of big men for Riverhead

When Kevin Culhane looked down at the bench during a scrimmage Tuesday afternoon against Mattituck, the Shoreham-Wading River coach didn’t have much to think about in terms of substitutions. Thanks to the football team’s memorable run to the Long Island Championship, the basketball team found itself working with a miniscule roster for the first two weeks.

The football players returned to the basketball team Monday, the day after winning the Long Island Championship, to begin the process of acclimating into the next season. None of those players were available, though, for Tuesday’s scrimmage as they tally up the necessary practices to play in a game.

“We have 12 or 13 guys that are back from football that impact greatly our varsity and our JV,” Culhane said. “There are a few spots open for some of the sophomores [on varsity].”

Culhane has limited time now to determine which players will take the final few roster spots on the varsity and who will stay on JV. After Tuesday’s scrimmage, some of the football players stayed an extra half-hour for a shortened practice to give the coaches some more time to evaluate players.

When the Wildcats come together, they have the making of a strong team that should contend for a playoff spot. A familiar name will lead the team this year in 6-foot-5 Danny Hughes. After a spectacular postseason as the quarterback of the football team, Hughes will shift to basketball now and should be one of the team’s go-to scorers.

“In our league he’s certainly going to be one of the top four or five kids and definitely a candidate to be all-county,” Culhane said.

The Wildcats return another talented forward alongside Hughes in Jonah Caldwell.

“He’s a tremendous athlete and a tough player,” Culhane said.

Caldwell shows flashes of brilliance at times, Culhane said, and the biggest challenge for him is to develop consistency. He has an improved outside shot and can hit the 3-pointer. And he’s also gotten stronger, which will help him down low on defense and in rebounding.

“The sky’s the limit with him,” Culhane said.

Kieran Qualley returns as one of the team’s top guards. He’s a solid passer and shooter who has become more confident and stronger from last season, Culhane said. Doug DeMaio will be one of the top perimeter defenders for the Wildcats. DeMaio will handle the point guard duties.

“He’s quick, strong and is getting a handle of playing the point,” Culhane said.

Mark Ceruti is another strong defensive player and Jack Zukowski will give the Wildcats a post presence.

Sophomore Ethan Wiederkehr, who just had an all-county football season, figures to be one of the younger players who gives the Wildcats quality minutes this year.

Jason Curran, Chris Rosati, Daniel Mahoney and Kyle Fehmel will provide bench depth.

The Wildcats could get off to a slow start this season with so many players coming off football season, but Culhane expects the team to continue to improve as the year goes on.

Shoreham opens the non-league season Friday at Hampton Bays and will kick off the league season Dec. 12 at home against East Hampton.