Berardis Decides On Stony Brook

Anthony Berardis had a major decision weighing on him. A wealth of major Division-I programs had been in persistent pursuit of the Mahopac midfielder. Everyone from a diddle-eyed Joe to a damned-if-I know inquired about the promising youngin.

The contact from coaches rapidly spiked following Berardis' breakout junior season this past spring.

Inundated with a drawer-load of recruiting mail that was growing, growing, growing--Berardis committed to Stony Brook

As one of the poster boys for (2011 Section 1 champion) Mahopac's ascension from perennial also-ran to Sectional yes-I-can, the All-American candidate was one of Section 1's few uncommitted stars standing.

Following his visit to the Long Island area school--where the slim sniper was lured in by the scenic campus, the quality of the chilled-out students, and a spanking new arena--realized his decision simply could not wait.

The team is under new management, following the recent hiring of Jim Nagle.

Nagle coached the snot out of Colgate for 10 years, posting an 86-84 overall record and twice being named Patriot League Coach of the Year.

Next season, Berardis must assume immediate control of Mahopac's well-oiled offensive cyborg.

Molded by two absolute lax junkies in Mike and Dave Haddeland, Berardis evolved into a key cog on an oceanic deep core. Both Haddelands had never had a lefty of this caliber, but they felt Berardis needed to develop and refine aspects of his game.

And so it time to take the training wheels off Berardis.

Berardis heeded their advice and hit the ground running. He stuck pivotal rips, scored on the fly, and contributed to the balls-out scoring onslaught Mahopac facilitated.

Both coaches are currently pushing Berardis to develop his right hand and emerge into a dual threat with the rock in his hands.
to develop his right hand and evolve into a dual threat with the ball.

Strikingly similar to Ryan Fitzgerald (the former Putnam Valley gunslinger, now at St. John's), Berardis now thrives off the increased physicality.