Skyline Runner-Up Men's Basketball Reloads With Eight From the Class of 2020

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — After guiding the St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) men's basketball team to the Skyline Conference championship game in their first season in the league, Head Coach Joseph Cocozello will turn to a group of eight newcomers to help bring the first Skyline title to Clinton Hill.

All-Skyline selections Matt O'Neill and Michael Megafu led a class of seven seniors that steered the Bears to a 15-13 mark in 2015-16, just one game shy of the first NCAA Division III National Championship berth in program history. St. Joseph's knocked off the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in the Skyline Championships to earn a spot in the title game, the first by a No. 6 seed.

"Losing as many guys as we did to graduation this year, as a staff, we cannot be any more pleased with the group of freshmen we have coming in. I am truly grateful for the emphasis and effort our coaches put into recruiting this past year," remarked Cocozello, who surpassed 200 career wins in 2015 and returns for his 15th season at the helm. "Returning as little as we do in regard to experience, these guys will have every opportunity to have an immediate impact."

Timmy Driscoll, Sebastien Etheart, Stephane Etheart, Anthony Iglesias, Matt McQuillen, Kavan Meiner, Tyranny Pace and Dimitri Sirakis make up the incoming class with seven hailing locally from the metropolitan area playing their high school ball in the catholic (CHSAA) and public (PSAL) high school leagues. Four come from Staten Island (Driscoll, Iglesias, McQuillen, Meiner). Three come from CHSAA power St. Francis Prep (Ethearts and Sirakis) adding to a very deep CHSAA-developed roster.

"The combination of both interior and perimeter players adds great balance to the roster. Although we'll be very young, our expectations of this group give us great optimism for the upcoming season," concluded Cocozello.

The Bears open their 2016-17 campaign on November 18 and 19 at the North Country Invitational Tournament hosted by Clarkson University and will play their home opener at The Hill Center on Saturday, November 26th at 4 p.m. against Brooklyn foes Medgar Evers College. The full 2016-17 schedule will be released shortly.

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Timmy Driscoll

High School: St. Peter's High School
Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.
Position: Guard

Driscoll, who transferred to SJC last January but still has four years of eligibility, was a starter for the 2015 Eagles that reached the CHSAA double A quarterfinals. His solid work ethic and long range shooting ability will be a welcome addition to the Bears roster.

Sebastien Etheart 

High School: St. Francis Prep
Hometown: Hollis Hills, N.Y.
Position: Forward

The 6-foot-5 forward is quick and athletic. His versatility allows him to play both in the post and on the perimeter.

Stephane Etheart 

High School: St. Francis Prep
Hometown: Hollis Hills, N.Y.
Position: Forward

Also a 6-foot-5 forward, Stephane has a strong inside presence who plays above the rim. Can also stretch the floor and knock down the mid to long range jumper.

Anthony Iglesias

High school: CSI/McCown
Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.
Position: Guard

Iglesias was the team's leading scorer this past year averaging 17.7 points per game. A superb shooter who handles the ball. Has great vision and excels in finding the open man.

Matt McQuillen 

High School: St. Peter's
Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.
Position: Guard

McQuillen will become the third member of the Bears from perennial Staten Island CHSAA power St. Peter's. Multi-skilled guard. Can handle the ball, looks to pass, and has the ability to knock down the open shot.

Kavan Meiner 

High School: Susan Wager
Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.
Position: Forward/Center

Meiner was a pivotal member of a 21-6 Falcons team. At 6-foot-6 is an all-around intelligent player. Is a strong interior presence who will work the low block, and also has the ability to knock down the mid-range jumper. Hard worker who will utilize his size and strength defensively.

Tyranny Pace

High School: Summit Academy (Utah)
Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Position: Guard

The 6-foot-3 leading three-point shooter was a starter for the Utah 2A State championship team Summit Academy Bears and garnered All-Section 2A Third Team honors. Explosive offensive player. Looks to put the ball on the floor and attack and also has the ability to shoot the perimeter jumper.

Dimitri Sirakis 

High School: St. Francis Prep
Hometown: Hollis Hills, N.Y.
Position: Guard

Floor general who will be counted on heavily as a primary ball handler. High percentage shooter with excellent range.