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 Aiming High This Winter Season

Harvey’s boys varsity basketball team is on a mission to return to the championship games for the third year in a row in both the Housatonic Valley Athletic League (HVAL) and the New England Prep School Athletic Council. The Cavaliers, the runner-up in both leagues’ championship tournaments last year, have set their goals high, hoping this season to reclaim the two titles they had won in 2022-23 before coming up just short last winter.

Head coach Denis Arnautovic and assistant Connor Welles ’10 are back to guide the Cavs to what they hope will be a return to championship form. “I think our most important strength is having so many battle-tested players returning this year,” Coach Arnautovic said.

 Leading the Harvey offense will be senior Jonah Kass who led the team last season in points scored with 350 and earned HVAL All-League and All-NEPSAC honors. Coach Arnautovic says Kass as point guard provides the team with “stability and confidence in addition to his outstanding offense and defense.”

The speedy and versatile senior Daniel Bussey will play the four positions around the perimeter. Bussey was an HVAL All-League recipient last season when he finished second on the team in both scoring and rebounding. Coach Arnautovic likes what Bussey can do on the court. “Daniel’s ability to play 1-4 makes him hard to guard,” the coach said, adding, “His speed and quick hands will be very valuable on the defensive end as well.”

Jackson Saccomanno is another senior expected to play a major role for the Cavs this season. Saccomanno gave the team great defense last year and displayed the ability to guard in the post and rebound the ball against bigger players. “Jackson is 6’2’’ but plays like 6’6,’’ Coach Arnautovic said. “He anticipates well on both sides and is great at rebounding and finishing around the rim,” the coach added.

The likely starting five will also include two juniors, Cameron Powell-Spruils, an HVAL All-League player last year, and Piotr Pawel Pajewski. “Cam keeps defenses on their toes with his ability to shoot and he’s gotten much better off the dribble,” Coach Arnautovic said. The coach also likes what Pajewski offers. “Piotr can spread the defense with his shooting,” Coach Arnautovic said, adding, “He has a great sense of space and the ability to use his big frame under the boards.”

There are several newcomers who could get quality minutes. New to the team this season are senior Rohan Singh, sophomores Dominick Bonserio, Carter Burroughs, Zach Roberts, and freshmen Gavin Botoff and Derek Lugo. Coach Arnautovic says it's too early to tell who among the newcomers will step up and make important contributions.

As he considers the upcoming schedule, Coach Arnautovic sees one HVAL opponent standing out among the rest. “We battled with Watkinson in the past few years for the HVAL title, so I anticipate going up against them this season to be one of the more important matchups,” the coach said.

As far as making any predictions goes, Coach Arnautovic would only say, “We’ve set our goals, high, and hopefully we’ll be guided by the past experiences and play up to our potential.”

Harvey boys varsity basketball tips off the 2024-25 winter season on the road Dec. 4 at 4:30 p.m. against the always tough nonleague opponent Hamden Hall Hornets.