Men's Basketball Season Preview

When the Hilbert College men’s basketball team hits the hardwood for the start of the 2009-10 season, the Hawks will feature one of the youngest teams in the ever challenging Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC). One junior joins four sophomores and ten true freshmen as eighth-year head coach Rob deGrandpre and company look to rebound from a disappointing 4-21 season a year ago.

“We have young, hungry players that are excited to begin their collegiate careers”, stated deGrandpre. “With any rebuilding process there has to be a focal point, and for us it will start with reinforcing the importance of being better defensively.” 
The Hawks gave up 76.4 ppg and allowed their opponents to shoot .463 percent from the field in 2008-09. “We have to get stops on the defensive end,” added deGrandpre. “For us to have success, we’ll need to limit our opponents’ possessions, and prevent second and third opportunities.” A challenge for any team, but one that must be met head-on if the Hawks are going to improve upon a 36.2 to 34.2 deficit on the boards from last season.
Playing a major role this season will be three seasoned sophomores. Nick Piccone (North Chili, NY/Aquinas) saw action in all 25 games last winter and averaged a respectable 3.8 ppg to go with 1.9 rpg. The 6’6 forward was also a bright spot from the foul line where he connected on 86% of his attempts. Chris Parrott (Warsaw, NY/Warsaw) saw limited action last year before a season ending injury finished his rookie campaign. He was granted a medical hardship waiver prior to the start of the school year which means he will be listed as a freshman this 2009-10 season. The 6’5 inside-out threat averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.7 rpg in just seven games. Look for a bigger contribution from Parrott and 6’2 sophomore Kenneth Sherrie (Wilson, NY/Newfane) who averaged 2.6 ppg in 17 contests in 2008-09.
6’2 junior Cody Troutman (South Dayton, NY/Pine Valley) arrives by way of Jamestown Community College and will strengthen the Hawks backcourt immediately. Freshmen Adam Matula (Campbell, NY/Campbell-Savona) at 5’11, Andy Breen (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca East) at 6’0, and 6’0 Eric Hinton (Bedford, OH, St. Peter Chanel) could all see time directing the Hawks offense.
Other guards looking to make an impact are Darren Cleveland (Lackawanna, NY/Lackawanna), and Jon Leeuwen (Palmyra, NY/Marion), who at 6’5 and 6’4 respectively, also possess the ability to play inside. 6’1 Dan McFarland (Lancaster, NY/St. Mary’s) brings a strong all-around game to the perimeter. 
A variety of forwards hoping to have an impact are 6’6 Jesse Milliman (Falconer, NY/Falconer), 6’4 Roman Brown (Buffalo, NY/South Park), 6’3 Julius Barreto (Manchester, CT/Manchester), and 6’3 Jonathan Minix (Washington, D.C./Washington Christian). Local product Jayson Weigel (Hamburg, NY/Hamburg) brings big energy and at 6’7 has the ability to run the floor and finish in transition.
“Our goals are to get better individually as well as collectively as the season progresses”, added deGrandpre. “We’re no different than any of the other 400 NCAA Div III programs in the country. We want to still be playing in March.”       
The Hawks welcome Mohawk College of Canada to the Hafner Recreation Center on Friday, November 6th for an exhibition game before playing host to Waynesburg University on the 17th in the season opener for both clubs.