THROGGS NECK, N.Y. (Nov. 16, 2010) – The Maritime men's basketball team opens the 2010-11 season Wednesday night, Nov. 17, when the Privateers will play host to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Action is set to begin at 7 p.m. at the Riesenberg Hall Gymnasium.
2010-11 Season Preview
After three weeks of practice and two scrimmages, the Privateers are ready to embark on the 2010-11 campaign with enthusiasm, some experience and many new faces.
The new faces begin with the coaching staff. Anchoring the coaching staff is Head Coach Dick Hack in his first year coaching the Maritime basketball team and 22nd year as a collegiate head coach. Joining Hack on the sideline are three assistant coaches: Adedokun Olanrewaju (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin), Scott Hack, and Jermelle Fraser, all in their first year of coaching, however very experienced and accomplished as collegiate basketball players.
“When you are new to a coaching position,” commented Hack, “you have a different philosophy of coaching and a tactical approach. The assistant coaches play a very vital role in first believing in your philosophy, being able to understand quickly what you want accomplished, and then conveying to the players how to go about achieving this new system. Their learning curve has not been steep. It speaks volumes to their knowledge of basketball and their passion to learn and teach."
The experience on the team is highlighted by senior tri-captains Giovanni Hurley (Brooklyn, N.Y./Middle College High) (Brooklyn, N.Y./Middle College High), Andrew Geisel (Media, Pa./Penncrest) (Media, Pa./Penncrest), and Quamel Lyerly (Inwood, N.Y./Lawrence) (Inwood, N.Y./Lawrence). The three seniors complement each other very well,” said Hack.
At some point this season, Hurley will look to become the seventh player in program history to reach the career 1000-point plateau. “Gio plays with a high energy level. Always working hard on both ends of the floor,. He does not have to rely on one facet of the game to contribute to the team's success”, said Coach Hack.
Geisel is the team's blue collar worker. Never looking to be flashy, he will take a charge, dive for a loose ball and pursue every rebound. “Andrew is the consummate team player,” said Hack. “His strength lies in the area of leadership. There are so many things that he does both on and off the floor that will not show up on a stat sheet”.
Lyerly is the Privateers' third captain. “Lyerly unquestionably can change the complexion of a contest,” commented Hack. “There are so many facets of Quamel's skills and talents that he can contribute to the team's success. Lyerly will generate a lot of excitement and enthusiasm with his play.”
The remaining seniors are guards Mario Clarke (Brooklyn, N.Y./Boys and Girls) (Brooklyn, N.Y./Boys and Girls), Tavaris Adderly (Nassaus, Bahamas/Temple Christian), and Paul Suarino (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville). Out of the three guards, Paul returns as the most experienced and looks to take over the role of point guard.
“Whenever you institute a new system of play amongst the team, the point guard has a difficult task of learning this system and executing while engaging the other four players on the floor,” said Hack. “A mistake by the other four players on the floor is never as noticeable as a mistake by the point guard. Paul has learned the system quickly and will continue to show improvement each time out on the floor. He plays hard every practice and has that desire to improve daily.”
The junior class is comprised of Mike McSloy (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park), Sam Porte (Harlem, N.Y./H.S. for Math, Science & Engineering) (Harlem, N.Y./H.S. for Math, Science & Engineering) and Ronnie Hodges (Bronx, N.Y./Dewitt Clinton).
McSloy transferred to Maritime from SUNY Oswego. “Mike has the ability to play both the two-guard position and the point guard,” said Hack. “His greatest attribute is his court intelligence. He understands the game, our system and how his skills can contribute to our team's success.”
Porte returns for his third season with the Privateers. “Sam will cause match-up problems for opposing teams,” commented Hack. “At 6-5 and 218 pounds, he can play inside, yet also has developed a good perimeter game with his quickness. Sam goes after the basketball for a rebound after each and every shot. That effort there has really impressed me.” Hodges, a junior-transfer from Daniel Webster College will be vying for playing time as well.
The sophomore and freshmen classes are highlighted by the Privateer's tallest player 6-8 Hugh Byrd (Pequannock, N.J./DePaul Catholic) (Newfoundland, N.J./DePaul Catholic). “Hugh has a strong work ethic, is very intelligent and will be playing substantial minutes this year,” said Hack. “You will see his contributions increase as the season unfolds and he gains much more collegiate experience nightly.” Sophomores John Mansfield (Middle Village, N.Y./Academy of American Studies), Henry Evans (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Stillwater) (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Stillwater) and William Sherwood (Freehold, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) are making progress each day in practice and are competing well against the experienced group of returnees, as well as freshmen James Snead (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) and Joseph Oriti (Somers, N.Y./Somers) (Somers, N.Y./Somers).
The Privateers open the 2010-11 campaign at home against the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Wednesday, Nov. 17. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Riesenberg Hall Gymnasium. USMMA was an NCAA Tournament qualifier last year and have received votes this year in the first NCAA Division III poll. Maritime then travels to Mahwah, N.J. to participate in the Ramapo College Tip-Off Tournament. The first Skyline Conference contest is Tuesday, Nov. 30, at Bard College.
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