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By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Another Brooklyn high school sports season is getting set to start. New stars emerge and old ones put the finshing touches on their careers. So here is a look at the players I think you should keep an eye on during the upcoming fall season.
Jocelyn Aguilar, Grand Street Campus girls’ soccer
Aguilar got the job done when it mattered the most. The junior is coming off a stellar sophomore campaign that saw her net 32 goals and dish out 28 assists. Aguilar scored four times to beat Telecom late in the year and tallied a goal and an assist to help upset Francis Lewis in the postseason.
Joey Barone, Xaverian boys’ soccer
The junior is one of the city’s most athletic and technically skilled players. He has followed in the footsteps of brother Salvatore, who played at Xaverian and now at St. Francis College. Joey Barone is a scoring threat from anywhere on the field has helped the Clippers raise the profile of the program.
Marlena Budna, Fort Hamilton girls’ volleyball
Budna has been a dominant force at the Class B level the last two seasons. Fort Hamilton has won two-straight city titles and now she and the Tigers get a chance to prove themselves at the top level as the program moves up a division.
Alejandro Oregon, Abraham Lincoln football
When it came to Lincoln defensive ends, the talk last year was all about Thomas Holley. With Holey now at the University of Florida, the attention of fans and offensive linemen will shift to the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Oregon for his senior season after a stellar junior campaign. Oregon recorded 10 sacks and made 69 tackles to help the Railsplitters win an undefeated city championship.
Chris Parker, Poly Prep football
The dynamic Parker is one of the city’s more under-appreciated players because the independent Blue Devils don’t play in the PSAL or CHSFL. The 5-foot-7 speedster began to turn some heads last season, posting five-touchdown games.
Deonte Roberts, Erasmus Hall football
The playmaking linebacker will be the anchor of the Dutchman’s defense this year. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Roberts is headed to Rutgers next year, but will look to improve off a stellar junior campaign. He made 42 tackles, forced three fumbles, and recorded a sack to help solidify the Dutchmen as one of the city’s top defensive units.
Edwin Soto, Abraham Lincoln boy’s soccer
Soto put together a super sophomore season a year ago as Lincoln had one of the best campaigns in its history. The midfielder scored a division-leading 14 goals and dished out 11 assists to help Lincoln bring home the division title. The stakes will be higher this year as he and the Railsplitters are now the hunted.
Victoria Plonski, Brooklyn Tech girls’ volleyball
Plonski is an all-around force on the volleyball court and her talents helped the Engineers’ program reach its first ever Public School Athletic League Class A semifinal. The junior recorded 86 kills, 15 blocks and 36 aces in league play and Tech is primed for an even better campaign this season along with setter Katherine Vaskevich.