Super 7: Meet the Journal's top returning boys basketball players in 2023-24
With consideration given to the athletes' resume, talent and expected production, along with the input of local coaches, the Journal has selected its boys basketball Super 7, highlighting the area's top returning stars and other standouts who could have big seasons.
The 2023-24 Super 7
Reid Berean
School: Highland
Grade: Junior
Position: Forward
What makes Reid super? His size, strength and shooting ability make him a versatile scorer and a player whose skillset could unlock a big season. The 6-foot-3 slasher finishes well through contact and is threat from the perimeter. Berean averaged 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds as a sophomore and was named a Section 9 and Dutchess County Basketball Coaches Association all-star.
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Cayden Dones
School: New Paltz
Grade: Sophomore
Position: Guard
What makes Cayden super? He turned heads as a freshman, first showcasing his talents as an explosive scorer, then settling in as a savvy facilitator. The point guard has a smooth handle along with good court vision and instincts belying his age. "He's a coach's dream," Huguenots coach Dan Diklich said of the Section 9 all-star. "He was one of our leaders, even as a freshman." Dones averaged 12 points, five assists and three steals last season, leading New Paltz through a superb regular season. He's taken on a greater onus offensively this winter and is averaging 33.5 points thus far.
Jai Elting
School: Poughkeepsie
Grade: Senior
Position: Center
What makes Jai super? With his athleticism at 6-foot-5 and a renewed drive, he could be poised for a breakout season. Elting flashed his potential as a sophomore during the Pioneers' run to the Class A state semifinals. The spotlight shifted last year as Poughkeepsie took a step back while rebuilding, but Elting and the team appear set to bounce back. The Pioneers gave themselves an early-season test, traveling to Canada to compete in the REB Invitational Tournament.
Patrick Faughnan
School: Our Lady of Lourdes
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward, guard
What makes Patrick super? He has expanded his game considerably each season, last year becoming a proficient mid-range shooter and post scorer, leading the Warriors to the Section 9 Class A final. At 6-foot-5 with long arms and athleticism, Faughnan is able to guard multiple positions and has even developed his offensive repertoire enough to play point guard this winter. He averaged 23 points, nine rebounds and two assists per game while shooting 54% from the field and was named the Journal's Player of the Year last season.
Zach Hart
School: Our Lady of Lourdes
Grade: Junior
Position: Center, guard
What makes Zach super? The standout grabbed attention last season with his guard-like passing ability and fluidity at 6-foot-7. Now, coach Jim Santoro said, Hart has been moved to guard as part of a rejiggered lineup featuring a supersized backcourt. Hart excels in transition and his athleticism and vision, at that height, will make him a difficult matchup. He averaged 10 points, 10 rebounds and 3.1 assists last season.
Matthew Nachamkin
School: Haldane
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
What makes Matthew super? He starred last year, helping lead the boys soccer team to a state championship and the basketball team to the state final. That alone speaks to his talents. But Nachamkin being that athletic and coordinated at 6-foot-8 adds to it, often creating matchup challenges for small-school opponents. A returning Journal All-Star, he averaged 13 points, eight rebounds and two assists and was a defensive anchor in the paint.
Nasir Snell
School: Spackenkill
Grade: Senior
Position: Guard
What makes Nasir super? His quickness, game sense and a lethal jumper make him a prolific scorer. With his skillset and aggressiveness, Snell can ignite runs and take over games. He averaged 22 points, five rebounds and 2.3 assists, leading the Spartans to the Section 9 Class B semifinals and was voted the Small School MVP by the Dutchess County Basketball Coaches Association.
Others to watch
Jensy Adames, Arlington, Jr., G; Jack Antalek, Beacon, Sr., C; Matt Apenteng, Lourdes, Sr., F/G; Josh Bishop, Highland, Sr., F; Owen Brink, Roosevelt, Sr., F; Miles Brooks, Marlboro, Sr., G/F; Justin Cardwell, Dover, Sr., G/F; Kris Cummings, Spackenkill, Sr., F; Chris DeNatale, Marlboro, Jr., G; Connor Durkin, Ketcham, Sr., F; Ross Esposito, Haldane, Sr., G; Fallou Faye, Haldane, Jr., G; Jack Faure, New Paltz, Sr., G/F; Caden Green, Dover, Jr., G; Owen Iannucci, Millbrook, Jr., G; Jacob Jerome, Arlington, Jr., G; Jalen Lee, Poughkeepsie, Sr., G; Jack Maiale, New Paltz, Jr., F; Savion Nesbitt, Poughkeepsie, Jr., G; Gavyn Pacheco, John Jay-East Fishkill, Sr., G; Aidan Prezzano, Rhinebeck, Sr., G; Brodie Rathjen, Pine Plains, Jr., G; Mike Rescigno, Arlington, Sr., G; Artrese Robertson, Roosevelt, Jr., G; Parker Ruger, Rhinebeck, Jr., G; Brandon Santiago, Ketcham, Jr., G; Tommy Simpson, Lourdes, Jr., G; Rich Starzyk, Pine Plains, Sr., C; Michai Thompson, Beacon, So., G
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Poughkeepsie Journal Super 7 boys basketball players for 2023-24 season
