2023 Long Island Lightning 16u-Simoneschi Player Profiles
Long Island Lightning is one of the biggest AAU programs in the country, dating back over 25 years. Its home is the Island Garden in West Hempstead NY. The Lightning 16u team coached by Steven Simoneschi is one of their elite teams. They played in the Hoop Group, Marquee Hoops, and Jayhawks circuits this season. Their goal was to play against as many sponsored teams as possible, in order to elevate their level of competition, and the pace of their players’ improvement. in of making our team and players improve. Coach Simoneschi was very proud of the players’ response. They are as follows:
#1 Connor Fernandez (2025) 6’1 guard, South Side High - Fernanadez was a natural team leader who gave tireless effort through the season. He has a unique blend of shooting and slashing towards the rim. Defensively he took numerous charges this season one culminating in six stitches and an Emergency Room visit. He is an absolute pleasure to coach.
#2 Dylon Stanley (2025) 6’5 small forward Lynbrook, NY - Stanley is the prototypical gym rat. Averaging nearly a double double every game, his improvement as a perimeter player is a testament to his work ethic. He was given the task of guarding kids from 6’9 to 7 feet and never once backed down. His play this AAU season has made him one of the most recruited players on Long Island as numerous private schools have made him offers. He appears headed to Holy Cross this year to spearhead their rebuilding.
#0 William Gallagher (2025) 6’0 guard, Merrick, NY - Gallagher is the best pure shooter that his coach has ever seen at the AAU level. In their last tournament at Marquee Hoops in Hershey, he hit 19 threes in six games with a 45% pct. He played up with older kids this year due to his ability to stretch the floor, play tough defense and his unending desire to get better. In recent years, he has broke his hip and torn a tendon in his finger. Through both injuries he continued to train every single day. That’s not an exaggeration, he literally trains every day. His doctors think he can reach 6’5, and when he does, with that height, combined with his shooting, and work ethic, he can be a D1 player one day. It is an honor coaching him.
#34 Jaden Shields (2025) 6’1 guard, Holy Trinity High - Nobody ever questioned Shield’s defensive ability. He consistently guards the opponent’s best player. Another thing that stands out about Sheilds is the improvement in his offensive efficiency. His 3pt shooting improved 10 percent points and his turnovers dropped dramatically over the season.He played his best basketball later in the season showing a clear trajectory upwards. He has a bright future this winter at Holy Trinity.
#11 Mike Werzinger (2025) 5’9 point guard, Lynbrook High - Werzinger is one of the senior members of this team and is one of the few remaining players from Coach Simoneschi’s initial team from two years ago. He is a captain, natural point guard and facilitator. He never misses his free throws, has a knack for a big shot, rebounds great for his size and takes control when the team is being pressed. He knows all the team’s sets like the back of his hand. He is an assistant coach on the court. His progress the last few years is incredible. He was once told that he was too small. Nobody is saying that anymore.
#43 Kaim Ingram (2025) 5’11 guard, Lynbrook, High - In some ways Ingram is a football player playing basketball, except he can shoot. He is a mid range aficionado like Derozan. His football toughness translates well to the court as his strong frame and tough mentality is a unique asset for our team. Coach Simoneschi expects him to win All County honors this year at Lynbrook.
#41 Phaidon Blades (2026) 6’1 guard Waldorf School - Blades is only 15 years old and is a freshman playing in 16u. He crashes the glass like Dennis Rodman. His ability to both finish around the rim with either hand and spread the court with his shooting pushed him into the starting lineup late in the season. Blades both hit a game winner for the team this year as well as making an incredible pass to set up another in Spooky Nook. He is a winning player that every championship team needs one of.
#18 Miles Gurley (2025) 6’1 guard, Sewanakah High - Gurly, short and sweet, is the team’s playmaker. He makes passes a split second before anyone else sees him. He is our Draymond Greene on the court in terms of standing up for his teammates. Defensively, the team eventually shifted to a full court press to allow his attributes to shine. He picks his teammates up when they are down and wakes them up he they need a kick in the but. His future is bright.