Transfer Cameron DePetris A Slam Dunk For Westhampton

St. Anthony’s transfer Cameron DePetris is already making a name for himself since joining the Westhampton Beach boys basketball team.

In a 74-43 nonleague win over Hampton Bays February 15, the junior forward racked up a game-high 23 points, finding the basket in all sorts of ways — from driving the lane, to scoring on breakaway layups, tip-ins, a shot from outside the arc and even on a slam dunk.

“We’ve only been together for a few days, and we’re looking pretty good so far,” said DePetris, who after missing a practice had to wait to join the team, competing for the first time in the green and white in a 72-46 loss to Kings Park February 13, where he put up eight points. “I didn’t know if there was going to be a season, so being out here feels good, and I felt good on the court. I’m just trying to move the ball as much as possible and get my teammates involved.”

Junior point guard Nick Waszkelewicz was one of those players to get involved early. He put up 14 of his 22 points in the first half, sinking three three-pointers and a layup in the first quarter to help the Hurricanes to a 20-12 lead after eight minutes. He knocked down five of the total 12 three-pointers scored by both teams across the game.

“I hit the first one, and I knew I’d be pretty good the rest of the way,” Waszkelewicz said, adding he tests the waters early to see if his shot is on. He didn’t score from beyond the arc in the loss to the Kingsmen Saturday. “I like to see how I’m feeling that day, but I feel comfortable shooting outside.”

The Hurricanes (2-2) racked up 16 points in the second and 18 in the third to jump out front 54-31. Westhampton Beach head coach Tim McDermott said he liked how his boys played unselfishly. Lou Hagopian added 10 points, Justice Goode and Jack Halloran six apiece, Shaun Williams three and Christian Killoran and Mickey Giacchetto two each.

“We had a tough game against Kings Park, so I think they did a good job of rebounding from that and settling down, and found their spots,” the coach said. “Since the news of a season was so abrupt and we jumped into things so quick it’s taken some time to adjust — we still have some things to clean up on the defensive end — but I like what I’m seeing so far, and I’m very excited for these kids. There’s a great dynamic within this group, and they’ve really come together in such a short amount of time.”

What the coach likes is his mix of leadership and talent, adding the boys are positive, support each other and are “just very coachable kids.”

“The seniors are doing a great job setting the tone and being great leaders, and we have some nice young talent in Cameron DePetris and Nick Waszkelewicz,” McDermott said. “They’re going to continue to work and get better and move us forward in the next couple of years.”

Hampton Bays head coach Noah Brown, in his first season leading the team, said he enjoyed seeing his young athletes getting some minutes, despite the team hurting from the loss of Chris Sanchez to a concussion, Amir Srdanovic to a sprained ankle and others being away on vacation.

“The team is thin right now, but this was a huge opportunity for eighth-grader Cole Wilson, some freshmen like Pat Donahue and Isaiah Lattanzio and sophomores like Kazmin Johnson,” the coach said. “We just need to keep them strong between the ears here – mentally — and we have a great core for the future.”

Senior point guard Jack McNamara led the Baymen (0-4) with 13 points off three field goals, three free throws and a three-pointer. Johnson followed close behind with 11, also hitting a shot from beyond the arc. Junior forward James Salas knocked down two trifectas, and added eight points, while Donahue also hit one and contributed five points. Senior co-captain Nick Alvarez finished with four points and Lattanzio two.

“The boys came home and had a great practice and bounced back to have a great game against Wyandanch, being down four points heading into the fourth quarter against a team that’s older, bigger, stronger and more athletic than us. Unfortunately, we couldn’t finish the way I wanted to, but we’ve had ups and downs, laughs and cries, and they’re buying into this family concept.”

Waszkelewicz said after a 4-16 2019-20 season, it feels good to come away with a victory, the Hurricanes’ second of the shortened season, and he likes where things are going.

“I was really excited. I didn’t think we were going to have a season, so I’m ecstatic about this,” the junior said. “We’ve known each other for a little while, added Cam into the fold, and it’s been working out. We move the ball around well — everyone gets some touches — and shooting was on today. We have a chance to go far this year.”