After boasting a record of 8-12 in the regular season, the Boys Varsity Basketball team was able to enter the Conference A playoffs as the 10th seed in the month of February. The trajectory of this season was especially influenced by the grit of Senior Captains Jack Tate, Charles DeStefano, James Ackermann, and Thomas Conway.
Though the team was ultimately defeated by North Shore High School on February 22nd, the team’s quarterfinal game against the 7th seeded Wheatley High School garnered excitement from all fans when the unfavored Wantagh team finished 69-41. This ultimately led to a 6-6 conference record and a 9-12 overall! Tate and Ackermann thanked Wantagh Basketball for “all the memories” at the culmination of the season, further demonstrating the passion for the game that all players have had during the Winter season. Along with entering the playoffs, the team has relished the additional privilege of having 4 award recipients for the 2024 season. Tate, who is heading to Mollow University for baseball, finished All County, along with Ackermann, DeStefano, and junior Kevin Gutfleisch finishing All Conference. Additional seniors Kevin Byrne and Frank Desiderio received a joint senior night celebration at the final home (regular season) game against Lynbrook.
Ultimately, the team has had yet another fantastic run. Juniors Kevin Gutfleisch and Oliver Icobazzi, accompanied by sophomores Joe Nicholson and Devin Paccione, look forward to their next season with increased playtime in the wake of 6 talented players graduating in June. Congratulations on a job well done!