B.B. boys’ basketball team starts season with new coaches, many new players

December 4, 2024 at 10:30 p.m.

The 2024-25 Blind Brook boys’ varsity basketball team. Back row, from left: Assistant Coach Bart DiNardo, Stephen Grazio, Cooper Smith, Josia Curtis, Tyler Taerstein, Aidan Sachs, Elliot Zwicker, Sebastian Lim, Coach John Aguilar. Front row, from left: Matthew Grossman, Nico Palacios, Cooper Schloss, Noah Brookman, Jack Gold, Luke Miller, Ryan Brown. (Courtesy photo of Alexandra Steiner, instagram@asrsmedia)

Tryout week for Blind Brook winter sports officially began on Monday, Nov. 18. The Blind Brook boys’ varsity basketball team, which occasionally held open practices throughout the fall season, is finally back for unfinished business dating back to last year.

After a few tough days of conditioning, ball handling, and spot-up shooting, Coach John Aguilar and Assistant Coach Bart DiNardo came to a consensus on the roster they will take in their inaugural Blind Brook seasons. On Nov. 20, it was decided that the boys will be led by senior captain Noah Brookman and junior captain Tyler Taerstein with several new faces who will make their varsity debuts.

Since the team came out, the boys have begun to get to work. The team is practicing daily with lift and study sessions, and Coach Aguilar is setting priorities and making clear what he expects of his players. The practices vary every day, but the daily schedule will remain uniform all week for the entire season.

The Trojans have looked forward to opening week since their heartbreaking loss in the playoffs last season, falling short to the Westlake Wildcats in the section quarterfinals by a 60-55 score. The Trojans had a solid season, with a 13-8 record and placing as the fifth seed in the playoffs. However, now with new coaching staff and an entirely new court, the Trojans are starting fresh with their expectations high.

After being named with captain honors as a junior, Tyler Taerstein described how “it’s a very special and honorable feeling being in this position as a junior, and I am very thankful for the opportunity. The depth we have is unlike anything I’ve seen from the program, and the excitement of new beginnings with the coaching staff is amazing. Overall, can’t wait to see where this special team ends up this winter.”

The Trojans’ schedule was released on Nov. 21, and the boys will take on Hastings in the season opener after press time on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The Trojans’ home opener will not be until Tuesday, Dec. 10, as they welcome Haldane in for a 4:30 p.m. start.