Through the opening month of the regular season, one of the biggest headlines in the Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC) has been the terrific turnaround and meteoric rise of the East Haven boys’ basketball team. Yet the Yellowjackets are not getting lost in their own press clippings, and are ready to pen a memorable postseason appearance.

Last winter, East Haven finished the year with only five victories and a 5-15 record. This season, however, the Yellowjackets have blazed a trail to the tune of a 9-1 mark thus far and have secured a spot in both the SCC and state tournaments.

Head Coach Frank Lyons explained that the boys’ work is far from done. They are chasing a piece of program history, in addition to a championship, while fortifying connections that will last a lifetime in what promises to be an historic season.

“Our goals for the season are to grow as people, plus to build good friendships and memories that will last a lifetime,” said Lyons. “We also wanted to qualify for both the SCC and state tournaments. We can also win our first ever division title, and we also want to win a state tournament.”

A tandem of senior guards in the backcourt, along with a junior forward, lead up front as the Yellowjackets’ tri-captains this campaign. Dom Galletti is maintaining an average of 19.5 points per game, while being a sharp shooter beyond the arc. Brian Velez is back for his fourth and final foray with the Yellowjackets, and junior forward London Garcia is averaging 14 points and seven rebounds a night.

“Dom is currently on pace to challenge the school record for three-pointers made in a season. Brian is the only four-year veteran in our program, and he is an excellent rotational player,” Lyons said. “London has been averaging solid numbers per game for us.”

Further bolstering the experience factor on the Yellowjackets’ roster are seniors in reserve contributor and guard Jason Chapman, and Greg Popolizio in the front court at forward. Though a rookie to the club, senior forward Jaden Davis has already shown a knack for coming up in the clutch.

“Jason is a spark plug off the bench as a sixth man. Jaden is a newcomer who makes all the winning plays,” said Lyons. “Greg is an experienced player, with a high basketball IQ.”

Junior Anthony Fazio solidifies the production in the paint at center. Additionally, classmate forward/center Nick Bilides is back for his second campaign as a starter, who leads the team off the glass by hauling in 10 rebounds per night.

Sophomore Antwon Oliver adds point production from the bench at guard, another sophomore Trew Kitson is in the middle of his inaugural run as starter at guard, and fellow sophomore guard Josiah Gonzalez is quickly getting acclimated to the varsity landscape.

“Anthony is the hardest worker in the gym everyday,” said Lyons. “Antwon gives us a scoring punch off the bench. Trew does a little bit of everything, and he is the best athlete we have. Josiah is a newcomer, who will play more as the season goes on.”

A big factor in East Haven’s most proficient start in some time has been the quickly forming chemistry and cohesion of the club. The Yellowjackets are looking to use that dedication to the squad, and to each other, to secure potential homestands in the playoffs for their fans.

“The boys’ basketball team is off to their best start in 20 years,” said Lyons. “We’d like to continue to build on that, and clinch high seeds in both tournaments. The team has gelled much faster than we expected. We have great players, but even better people.”

The 2023-2024 East Haven boys’ basketball team roster is comprised of seniors Chapman, Davis, Velez, Galletti, Popolizio; juniors Bilides, Garcia, Fazio, Trevor Archambault; sophomores in Antwon Oliver, Kitson, Alec Richards, Jacob Vann, Gonzalez, Cameron Manciero, Jake Affinito, Yariel Santiago, Alexander Oliver, Jose Santos, Kevin Clancy; plus freshmen Gabreil Casner, Vincent Castellano, Vincent Castellano, David Fenn, Emilliel Garcia, Tyler Ho, William Perez, Frank Pietruszka, Arlen Reveron, Aedan Richards, and Jadon White.

Lyons is in the midst of his third season at the helm of the East Haven coaching staff. He is assisted by Jeff Petrillo (in his third year), Mike Oritz (also a three-year veteran), Vernon Moore (two years with East Haven), plus newcomers Jeff Beeman and Matthew Coyle.

2023-2024 East Haven Boys’ Basketball Team Regular Season Results and Schedule

Dec. 18: East Haven 66, Branford 36

Dec. 20: East Haven 57, Derby 46

Dec. 22: East Haven 67, Hand 56

Dec. 28: East Haven 52, Career 37

Jan. 2: Law 51, East Haven 50

Jan. 5: East Haven 66, Shelton 52

Jan. 10: East Haven 75, Whitney Tech 43

Jan. 12: East Haven 69, Amity 39

Jan. 18: East Haven 62, Cheshire 51

Jan. 20: East Haven 60, North Haven 55

Tuesday, Jan. 23: at Branford at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 27: at Hand at 4:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 30: vs. Law at 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 2: vs. Shelton at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 6: vs. Career at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 7: at Lyman Hall at 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 9: at Amity at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 13: vs. North Haven at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 15: at Grasso Tech at 6 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 16: at Cheshire at 7 p.m.