By Jordan J. Michael

GUILDERLAND –– After going undefeated in the Suburban Council last season, the Guilderland boys’ basketball team is feeling confident.

“We had a remarkable league run last year,” said Head Coach Ron Osinski. “Going undefeated in the Suburban is no easy task. The kids were able to stay focused. We need to do the same thing this year.”

Going unbeaten this season might be a lot to ask, with the loss of eight seniors. Standout Brett Marfurt is gone, as well as Drew Smith and Dan Degejay.

“Marfurt will be greatly missed because he was a three-year starter,” Osinski said. “If you think about it, our offense will be missing 20 to 40 points a night. Those guys knew what they were doing, but I’m very hopeful with this new lineup.”

The Dutchmen lost to Christian Brothers Academy in the semi-finals of the Class AA sectionals last year, cutting its season short. Osinski said that the goal was to go further.

“We had lost to CBA earlier in the campaign,” he said. “Some luck is needed in the playoffs and the ball bounced a different way.”

Isaiah Folds, Kevin Kost, Chris Mannarino, Pat Quinn, and Jon Terry return to the team. Kost and Terry were starters last year and will lead the operations. Mannarino is also a key ingredient.

“Terry and Kost have the drive we need and Mannarino was our biggest contributor off the bench last year,” said Osinski. “I have a winning group of seniors that are very knowledgeable.”

Guilderland added a transfer from Bishop Magin, in senior Andre Brown. Osinski told The Enterprise that Brown brings quickness and strength. “He works at his game and helps the other kids,” said Osinski. “He’s picked up our playbook in a short amount of time.”

Andrew Brown, Mike Drislane, Anthony Gallo, Josh Murray, Ryan Ochs, Nate Sentz, and Joe Terry have moved up from junior varsity.

“We can’t replace the players that we lost; we just have to play to our strengths,” Osinski said. “I’m hoping that the guys who were here last year will pick up on the talent that they witnessed. Points will be scored from different areas.”

Folds and Quinn didn’t get many minutes last season, but that will change this time around. “I’m seeing much improvement from them and their time is now,” said Osinski.

The Dutchmen are a smaller sized team this year, but the quickness has increased. The game plan has shifted to accommodate.

“We’ll do some different things on defense because of the size issue,” Osinski said. “Boxing out for rebounds will be important. Small teams can rebound well and we need to accept that fact.”

The offense will focus on ball penetration and efficient outside shooting. “Jon Terry is great inside and we try to play bigger,” said Osinski. “We need to beat opponents off the dribble and kick it out. All my players are unselfish and give up the ball to the better shot.”

The Suburban Council is relentlessly competitive and every game will be a challenge. Colonie has a good returning core and Mohonasen is on the way up. Osinski also mentioned Saratoga and Shenedehowa as tough teams.

“Anything can happen out on the court. You have to take it one game at a time,” Osinski said. “You have to play hard and pick up the pieces as you move along.”

Guilderland opens the season at Averill Park on Tuesday.

“We had more room for error last season,” said Osinski. “Now, with all the changes, we have little to no room for error. We’ll see what happens.”