CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - Last year, John Jay faced Rye in the finals of the Section One tournament. But a championship was not to be, and the loss sent a lot of seniors off for the last time.
“We have a lot of new faces,” said Coach Mike Bocklet.
Still, he’s looking at the upside.
“We have a young, enthusiastic group, and they are working hard,” said the coach.
Trying to establish a rhythm nonetheless, the defense has the most previous mileage.
“Johan Silverman, Peter Hill and Aidan Brinn are all returning starters, and Blake O’Callahan is back in the cage,” he said.
In between the experience, Peter Bysshe will get playing time again as a sophomore, but midfield will be work in progress. Dino Rajamani is the only returner, and past experience will have the demands falling on the junior in kind.
“On offense, we will ask him to do a lot more,” said Bocklet.
Even so, the Wolves won’t waste youth on the young.
“We’re athletic, and we will play fast,” said Bocklet. “That’s going to be one of the themes to create a lot of transition."
Of course, offense starts in the middle of the field, and Dom Savastano has taken his 600-plus wins with him. That leaves James Bysshe with some big shoes to fill, but Bocklet likes the junior’s time on the slopes as a good starting point.
“He definitely has a competitive spirit that helps a lot,” Bocklet said of his all-state skier.
With the ball, the X’s and O’s will get a slow rollout.
“We’re going to keep it simple,” Bocklet said, “and find out what works.”
Carrying the primary load, Brendan Corelli knows from last year and his point guard work in the winter. “He’ll be our senior leader,” said the John Jay Hall of Famer.
Not alone, Corelli and the rest of the team have plenty to build off from what last year’s Wolves left behind. “We had some great leaders, and I think they rubbed off on a lot of the guys,” concluded Bocklet.
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