John Jay Basketball Previews and Photos

See Photos below, John Jay at Somers and Girls JV Photos

John Jay Girls Aim to Compete, Work Hard and Get Better Everyday

After finishing .500 last year and qualifying for the sectionals, John Jay has obviously bid goodbye to their seniors and are ready for 2025-26. “We’re young but we’re excited,” said Coach Matt Gallagher. But the Jane Brennan’s, Jaime Bartley-Cohen’s and Sela Halaifonua's of the world are not forgotten.

"I hope their competitive spirit and their work ethic has been left behind,” said the coach.

The season awaiting, the latter is already apparent. “They are work horses so far,” Gallagher clarified.

At the guard position, Avery Bisignano, Gianna Pelosi and Charlotte Omin are back and there’s no complaints about getting help from the middle school. Kylie Bishop is joining the varsity from the eighth grade and Gallagher sums up her strengths in one word. “Everything,” he said.

Of course, the long form answer ain’t bad either. “She’s very knowledgeable about the game. Her handle is very good, and she’s got a great shot,” assured Gallagher.

Up a little higher, Elise Templeton and Beatrice Hill round out as sophomores, while Lina Halaifonua and Helena Schembri will be play big at the post up position.

Still, Gallagher was not forthcoming with any offensive game plan. Defense, on the other hand, won’t be anything new. “They’ll be scrappy because that’s how I coach them to be,” he said.

A new league providing a different schedule, the goal doesn’t change, though. “I want to compete every game and get better every single game,” Gallagher concluded.

John Jay Basketball has got the Talent

After a 1-5 start last year, John Jay turned their season around and won the league championship. But the very nature of high school sports means all success is fleeting, and a ton of turnover may seem to have the Wolves on the downside. Coach Tyler Sayre doesn’t see it that way, though.

“No one really has varsity experience but we still have a lot of talented kids,” he assured.

Starting at the guards, Sayre is confident that Will Green, Jake Knopke and Seth Denker will dent the scoreboard, while Jacob Gottesfeld will disrupt on the defensive end. “They just have to put it together,” said the coach.

Up high and at center, Sayre likes the view. “Alex Palacio and Owen Gitelson, this is the first year I’ve had true big guys that play strong and physical around the rim,” he said.

Each about 6’5,” these bench players from last year’s team put in the work this summer and the difference will be seen in the paint, according to Sayre. “They are both guys who will finish around the rim,” he clarified.

Alongside, Marc Fein, Patrick Ryan, Nate Summers, Charlie Sanz and Braydon Gates are more hybrids than forwards. “I call these guys wings,” said Sayre. “They play around the perimeter.”

As for a spark, Dion Prelvukaj came to mind first. “He’s the tallest, longest player on the team,” said Sayre. “He’s a real talented kid who can come in and score. So he could play an important bench role.”

Unsure, because the coach hasn’t officially put the pieces in place. “We’re still trying to figure out what our rotation is going to look like,” Sayre revealed.

Not a cause for concern, neither is a tough schedule, because once again, the destination takes precedence. “Our goal is to become a finished product by the end of the season,” Sayre concluded.

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