Clarke boys bring experience and optimism
Jumping into the 2025-26 campaign, Clarke boys’ basketball head coach Joe Hasbrouck has hope for the Rams’ success, even if some of the roster is relatively new to the program.
“We returned three of our five starters, as well as our sixth man, so definitely not starting from scratch, but a lot of our depth is going to be new players and new varsity guys,” he said.
The Rams bring back Kai Destine, their leading scorer and combo guard. He averaged 13 points per game. “Last year he was able to play off of a couple other point guards and wings we had, he’s going to be a little more ball-dependent this year,” Hasbrouck detailed.
There’s also Justin Montez, a forward playing center according to Hasbrouck. That works because Montez clicks with Destine to maintain an offensive flow, plus Montez is naturally a hard worker when it comes to cleaning up the glass, keeping possession and grit.
“He’s a really good model for everybody who’s new this year as far as the toughness we want to play with,” Hasbrouck said of Montez.
Junior Yaya Segura is another returner destined for the hardwood. Hasbrouck highlighted that Segura notched clutch double-double performances towards the end of last season, and he hopes to see similar production.
“He’s going to be relied on more this year, on the wings, on the perimeter, getting to the basket, finishing through contact,” Hasbrouck said.
The sixth man last winter was Damien Chanoine, described as long and lengthy at 6-foot-3, a terrific catch-and-shoot player and protects the rim well and defends.
Hasbrouck stated the Rams will have to rely on ball movement and spacing more than hero-ball if they want to see success; in other terms, true teamwork.
A relatively new face is senior Zach Barsuaskas. While he’s not wholly new, the confidence he’s rocking makes him look like a new player, the coach noted.
There’s also sophomore point guard Aayan Mansi, who Hasbrouck labeled as deft and skilled; his only shortcoming is he still needs to adjust to the varsity speed.
Clarke girls lean on chemistry to bounce back
In order to complete a bounceback after a 7-13 season, Clarke girls head coach Shaun Fean wants to see the best of the best from his team. All signs point to the face the Rams on the same page.
“Our kids know the deal, they know they expectations and were able to jump right into things off the top of the bat,” Fean explained. “So far so good, the efforts been right where we want it and hopefully we can continue to build each day.”
He’s appreciative of returning starters: Althea Borleo, Khloe Louis-Jean, Christina Boyle and Leila Thakkar. Each one a unique strength to bring to the court.
Borleo is a hybrid small/power forward player, touted as the team’s top scorer entering this season, averaging 11 points and 5 rebounds per game. Louis-Jean a 6-foot center, and it’s not to say that her skill starts and ends at her height. Fean also explained while her size is a massive advantage, she also pulls her weight offensively, averaging 5 points per game on top of her defensive efforts.
Boyle is flouted as the team’s best shooter, knocking down two or more trey-balls in 4 of the last 5 games last season. Lastly, Thakkar, the point guard, gets everybody rolling on offense, and has no qualms being physical on defensive to help the squad.
There’s two other returners, sophomores Ella Gorlesky and Gabriella Arboleda. Gorlesky is described as a tough defensive-minded guard, whose ability to knock down shots might be the key to elevating her game to the next level. Fean voiced Arboleda’s rebounding skills, which have been honed thus far in practice and scrimmages for the coming season.
Mia Ruiz’s epithet is “team’s best passer,” a unique superlative for a sophomore up from the JV unit, where she averaged 3 assists per game.
“We’re excited to go to battle with this group that has grown together and learned together,” Fean said. “Now it’s just about working hard every day to become the best team we can be.”
Schedule
Boys basketball
Dec. 13: @ Sewanhaka, 11:45 a.m.
Dec. 19: Carey, 6:45 p.m.
Dec. 23: @ Bethpage, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 5: @ Manhasset, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 8: South Side, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 14: Division, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 16: @ Elmont, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 23: Sewanhaka, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 27: Bethpage, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 30: @ Carey, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 2: Manhasset, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 5: @ South Side, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 11: @ Division, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 14: Elmont, 11:45 a.m.
Girls basketball
Dec. 13: Sewanhaka, 11:45 a.m.
Dec. 19: @ Carey, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 23: Bethpage, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 5: Manhasset, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 8: @ South Side, 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 14: @ Division, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 17: Elmont, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 24: @ Sewanhaka, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 27: @ Bethpage, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 30: Carey, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 2: @ Manhasset, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 5: South Side, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 11: Division, 6:45 p.m.
Feb. 14: @ Elmont, 10:00 a.m.
