VOORHEESVILLE — A lot of new players will fill in spots for the Voorheesville boys’ basketball team this winter.

The Blackbirds lost three experienced starters and a couple of good players off the bench from last year’s Class B semifinalists.
"We have three important spots open," said Voorheesville Coach Don Catellier. "We lost three good kids that started for three years. We’ll have to find some people that want to play them. I think we’ve got great, great kids that can play there. We just need to gain experience. It’s not as much about playing time as much as asking them to step up."

Graduated from the Voorheesville roster are three-year starters Nick Duncan, Andy Catellier, and Greg Klopfer. They have big shoes that Don Catellier will need to fill.
"We have a good group up from the junior varsity," Catellier said. "They are working hard."

Returning is junior Evan Christner. He started last year as a sophomore and was a good contributor for the Birds.

Justin Arico returns to play at the guard spot again this year.

Chris Thompson got some time off the bench last year and is vying to be the starting point guard this season. Greg Carson is also returning after seeing some playing time last year.

Tim Robinson and Joe Klembczyk are also returning from the varsity last year and will be asked to play more minutes this year.
"They will be asked to play major roles," Catellier said. "They will have to be the leaders of the team and make plays. They can’t wait for someone else; they’ve got to do it."

Newcomers to the team are juniors Jordan Murphy, Jay Conde, Macky Lloyd, Kevin Klembczyk, and senior Pino Ragonese.

Friday’s practice was one of the few for which Catellier has had a full squad in the early season.
"Macky was gone for cross-country," Catellier said, "Timmy had football, and Joey was hurt from soccer. I was missing kids and I’ve only had them for about a week."

"Different things"

The Blackbirds have had a couple of scrimmages. The first was against Broadalbin-Perth.
"We did alright," Catellier said. "It was our first scrimmage. We played hard and hustled. Our energy was great. Basketball-wise we need to improve."

Voorheesville scrimmaged Hoosick Falls on Monday and Mohonasen on Wednesday.

The Blackbirds will have a different look than last year. They lost size in Duncan and will rely on more speed and quickness.
"We’ll do some different things," Catellier said. "We’re more athletic than we’ve been in a few years. We’ll be different on offense and defense. We’re still getting into it. We’re still working on it."

Carson, Christner, and Robinson will provide some size for the Blackbirds this season.
"Greg, Timmy, and Evan are good-sized kids," Catellier said. "Jay Conde is athletic. He can jump through the roof. We’ll do stuff like press more and run a motion offense. We’ll try to get after some people."

The Blackbirds will also be a deep team this year.
"I have 11 players and, right now, I feel I can put any of the 11 out there," Catellier said. "We’ll be a pretty balanced team. And Evan can be one of the best players in the Colonial Council. We want to put the ball in his hands down low. Size-wise, nobody can stop him.
"Justin is confident he can shoot the ball," Catellier added. "Macky and Chris are battling for the point guard spot."

Voorheesville will open the season in the Catholic Central High School Tournament this weekend. The Blackbirds will play the host school and either Schuylerville or Colonial Council rival Albany Academy in the second game.

They open the league season against Cobleskill on Dec. 1. Then the birds face their familiar rival.
"We’re at Albany Academy for the second game of the year," Catellier said. "We’ll find out right away if we’re any good."

The Birds will also be in a Christmas tournament at Saratoga Spa Catholic. Also in the tournament is Greenwich and Hudson Falls.
"We’ll get to see some different teams," Catellier said.