CHS Asia Boys' Hoops Preview 2025-26: Islands-A Division Teams Brace for a Tight Schedule

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 11:34 GMT by Staten Island Advance
      Locale: UNITED STATES

CHS Asia Boys’ Hoops Preview 2025‑26: Islands‑A Division Teams Brace for a Tight Schedule

The 2025‑26 high‑school basketball season is officially on the horizon for the CHS Asia Boys’ Division, and the local press is already turning its spotlight on the teams that will battle it out on Staten Island’s courts. The season preview, published by Silive.com in late November, offers a comprehensive look at the squads that will compete in the Islands‑A division, the key returning stars, coaching changes, and, most importantly, the reality that “squads have little wiggle room for non‑league games.” This means that the bulk of each team’s schedule will consist of conference play, making every matchup crucial for postseason positioning.

1. The CHS Asia Landscape

CHS Asia is an umbrella that groups together several Catholic high schools on Staten Island that compete in the Island‑A Division of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA). The division traditionally hosts a mix of storied programs—such as St. John the Baptist, Bishop Loughlin, and St. Peter’s—and newer schools that have quickly risen in the rankings, like St. Anthony’s and Holy Cross. The preview highlights that the Islands‑A division is set to be one of the most competitive this year, with four teams in the top‑ten national high‑school rankings according to USA Today High School Basketball.

2. Returning Talent and Emerging Stars

St. John the Baptist is keeping the momentum from their state‑finalist run last year, thanks largely to senior guard Michael “Mikey” Ortiz, who averaged 19.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Ortiz is expected to continue as the offensive engine, but the team is also banking on sophomore forward Carlos Rivera, who recorded a double‑double average of 12.4 points and 10.3 rebounds last season.

Bishop Loughlin sees a change in leadership at the guard position. After the graduation of senior point guard Liam Hayes, the team will rely on junior Anthony “Tony” McConnell, who posted a season‑high 13.1 points and 5.6 assists. Coach Jillian Morales is also looking to tighten the defense, citing last year’s 12‑point average margin as a target.

St. Peter’s has an exciting back‑court duo in junior duo Jade Smith and Tyler Brooks. Both were recognized on the All‑Island‑A first team, and their chemistry will be key as they face a tougher schedule. Meanwhile, Holy Cross is counting on freshman point guard Ethan Chang, who was named the 2025 New York Daily News Player of the Year during the off‑season.

3. Coaching Changes and Strategic Adjustments

The preview underscores that coaching changes will also shape the coming season:

• St. Anthony’s will welcome Coach Mark DeMarco, a former assistant at the University of Maryland, who is expected to bring a disciplined, motion‑offense system.
• Holy Family has promoted longtime assistant Coach Sarah Kim to head coach, and the new coach is already promising a more perimeter‑oriented game plan.

The article quotes several coaches expressing optimism about integrating new systems with the existing talent on their rosters. “We’re going to make the most of the time we have,” said Coach Morales of Bishop Loughlin, “and play the ball, make our defensive assignments, and take advantage of every minute.”

4. Schedule Constraints: Little Wiggle Room for Non‑League Games

One of the most significant points highlighted in the preview is that the Islands‑A Division’s tight schedule leaves very little opportunity for non‑league play. The division’s official calendar contains 28 conference games, and the start of the season—on November 10th—meets the last day of the 2025‑26 State High‑School Invitational. As a result:

• Teams will likely skip non‑league games that are sometimes used to sharpen squads before the league opens.
• The emphasis will shift to “scrimmage‑style” intra‑division play to keep teams engaged and prepare them for playoff matchups.
• Coaches will prioritize in‑season training camps and conditioning to offset the lack of additional competition.

The article cites a statement from the Island‑A Division Commissioner, Marcus Thompson, noting, “The calendar is packed. We’re giving our teams enough games to establish a rhythm and to earn a spot in the post‑season, but there’s little room for out‑of‑league exhibitions. That makes every conference game more meaningful.”

5. Early‑Season Matchups to Watch

The preview points out several key early‑season fixtures that will set the tone for the rest of the schedule:

1. St. John the Baptist vs. Bishop Loughlin – A showdown of veteran experience against rising talent.
2. St. Peter’s vs. Holy Cross – A clash of back‑court stars, where the outcome could dictate the power‑house teams.
3. St. Anthony’s vs. Holy Family – An intriguing new coaching matchup that could spark a rivalry.

The article includes quotes from athletes who emphasize the importance of getting a strong start: “If we start the season strong, we’ll have confidence all season long,” said Michael Ortiz of St. John the Baptist.

6. The Bigger Picture: Post‑Season Implications

The preview explains that, in the Islanders‑A Division, the regular season standings are the primary determinant for qualification in the NYSPHSAA state tournament. With such a packed schedule, teams that finish in the top two positions will secure an automatic berth into the state quarter‑finals. The article notes that the Division has historically been a hotbed of talent, producing players who have gone on to college scholarships at Ivy League schools and Division I programs.

“Every game counts,” said Coach DeMarco of St. Anthony’s. “We’re in a system where the margin between a state‑semifinal run and a disappointing season is just one win or one loss.”

7. Off‑Season Developments and Prep

The article also delves into off‑season training regimes. Many teams have started early “practice‑by‑practice” sessions, and some athletes have participated in off‑season leagues in New Jersey. While non‑league games are minimal, the article highlights that these off‑season efforts are crucial for building strength, speed, and teamwork.

The preview concludes with a note that fans and parents should stay engaged on social media channels and at local venues, as the Islanders‑A Division is known for its close community involvement. The article’s author, Laura Martinez, encourages readers to attend the first home game on November 12th at the St. John the Baptist gym, where “the energy is palpable, and the basketball is as fierce as ever.”

8. Take‑away

The 2025‑26 CHS Asia Boys’ Hoops Preview sets a clear narrative: a tight, highly competitive season where every game carries weight. Returning stars are poised to lead, new coaching philosophies will be tested, and teams will have to rely on internal development given the limited non‑league game window. Fans can anticipate an action‑packed season that will showcase talent, strategy, and the high‑stakes nature of high‑school basketball on Staten Island.