Men's Basketball 2007-08
Season Outlook
With the graduation of five
upperclassmen, Highlander fans can look forward to seeing a brand
new team this year, with new faces, new strengths and new struggles.
The Highlanders will have 11 freshmen and sophomores on its 15-man
roster, so the team will focus on leadership from Head Coach Brad
Zarges, entering his ninth season.
The Highlanders are intent on sustaining last year’s level of
success—the team’s best season in ten years—with the twin goals of
shooting better than 50% from the field on offense and keeping the
opposition under 70 points on defense. Look for the Highlanders to
be tenacious challengers on the glass at both ends of the court this
season.
Two sophomores will lead the way: 6′7″ forward Yannick Anzulini
(Ottawa, Canada/ Garneau) and 6′6″ forward Mada Abdelhamid
(Auckland, New Zealand/Avondale College). Anzulini may have been the
most exciting forward in the American Mideast Conference (AMC) North
Division last year. His 51.6 field goal shooting percentage led the
Highlanders, as did his 7.2 rebounds per game. He averaged 8.9
points per game, even though he only started half the games.
Anzuluni and Abdelhamid each were All-AMC North honorable mention
and selected to the All-Freshmen Team. Abdelhamid scored 9.6 while
taking down 6.5 rebounds per game last season. He spent part of his
summer playing for the New Zealand national team at the 2007 World
University Games in Bangkok, Thailand.
Senior Rimgaudus Valaitis (Silute, Lithuania/ J.C.C. Cattaraugus)
was the NAIA’s deadliest three-point field goal shooter at 55.6%
last season, averaging 5.8 points per game. Look for the 6′5″
forward to continue to knock down the outside shot and add depth at
the forward position this season.
In the backcourt, the Highlanders will look to 5′10″ senior Jon
VanSkiver (Campbell, N.Y./Campbell-Savona), who averaged 4.5 points
last season in limited action to take on a significant role this
season. VanSkiver is a lethal shooter, who will pose a headache for
opponents’ defenses.
On the defensive end, junior Bruce Mourhess (Campbell,
N.Y./Campbell-Savona) brings high intensity and takes on the
toughest match ups. Even though his presence will not always show up
in the statistical column, his defensive pressure and limiting
touches for opponents will be vital for the Highlanders success.
Fellow junior Billy Evans (Copenhagen, N.Y./Copenhagen) has made
tremendous strides in the off-season, developing his strength and
mental focus. Evans will press for time at point guard.
Sophomore Ben Kopp (Franklinville, N.Y. / Ten Brock Academy) enjoyed
a great off-season, too, making himself one of the strongest guards
in the conference. Look for the 6′5″ guard to put up solid numbers
this season. Other returnees include 6′4″ sophomore forward Bryce
Ireland (Panama, N.Y./Panama Central) and 6′1″ sophomore Dan
Tomlinson (Bloomfield, N.Y./ Home school). Look for them to continue
to develop throughout the duration of the season.
With the departure of five graduating players there are big shoes to
fill for this season’s incoming class of freshmen on the perimeter
and in the post. Leading the recruiting class is freshman Jon
Mannarino (Solon, OH/Walsh Jesuit), a 5′10″ lightning-quick point
guard who is a vocal leader. Look for him to challenge for the
starting role this year.
Filling the shooting guard position will be difficult, but 6′2″
freshman Devin Paige (Upper Marlboro, Md./Grace Brethren Christian)
brings a solid shooting touch as an accomplished scorer. Paige is a
true triple threat who can score from the perimeter and off the
dribble. Look for him to push for major playing time.
Inside, the Highlanders welcome Nate Schrader (Interlaken,
N.Y./South Seneca), a 6′10″ shot blocker who will pose a difficult
match up for any team. His ability to anticipate shots and to close
off angles from inside makes him a versatile resource. Making
significant improvements already this year, he is a quick learner
and will be a key factor.
Rounding out the newcomers are freshmen Ryan Shay (Andover,
N.Y./Andover) and Jared Houseman (Munnsville, N.Y./New Life
Christian) and sophomore Scott MacBeth (West Seneca, N.Y./Clarence).
Shay and MacBeth bring solid fundamental skills while Housemen has a
great attitude and teachable spirit.
Following his most successful season at the helm of the men’s
basketball program, Zarges and Assistant Coach Glyn Turner plan to
rely on their few upperclassmen and hasten the development of the
young Highlanders, with the hope of having the team gelling in time
for the tough AMC conference schedule. They will have their work cut
out for them, but expect it to be exciting.
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