NEW PALTZ, NY – — SUNY New Paltz is hoping new head women’s basketball coach Brad Duckworth can duplicate the turnaround that he orchestrated at Western Wisconsin Technical College. In just two years as the head coach of the Cavaliers, Duckworth took a struggling program that at times had just enough bodies to compete, and piloted them to back-to-back undefeated seasons in conference play. In 2000-01, Western Wisconsin Technical College captured the state’s Junior College Athletic Association Region Four Championship and established a school record for consecutive wins with 10 in the process.
Duckworth, who inherits a roster that features eight returnees and five newcomers, hopes to rebuild a program that went 4-21 last season and has averaged just over five wins per year since 1998. “I believe it won’t take long to get this program headed in a positive direction,” said Duckworth. “There’s a great group players here and with our location we should be able to consistently bring in top players. We will play hard, recruit hard and instill an attitude of success.”
Last season, the Hawks offense revolved around second team All-SUNYAC selection Silver Williams (Newburgh, NY). The 5-10 senior was the Hawks leading scorer (15.9) and rebounder (7.9). Williams is on pace to reach the 1,000 point-plateau and her production will go a long way in helping the Hawks become a more competitive team.
Joining Williams up front is versatile 5-11 junior Lindsay Dakin (Andover, CT) who was the team’s second leading scorer (9.6 ppg.) and hit a team-best 45 three-point field goals. Dakin scored 19 points on two occasions a year ago and combined with Williams to account for 44 percent of the team’s scoring output.
To balance the offensive load, Duckworth could look to junior guard Maura McShane (East Rockaway, NY) to play a more prominent role. McShane, who averaged 7.1 points per game last year, displayed the ability to be an offensive threat during a four-game stretch in December and January when she averaged nearly 15 points per game.
Sophomore forward Tarah Norris (Port Jervis, NY) should also be improved after averaging 6.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in her first collegiate season. Senior Katie Monahan (Port Jefferson Station, NY) and sophomore Stephanie Gianakos (Cromwell, CT) each played in 20 games last season and will provide additional depth for the Hawks.
Sophomore point guard Kim Weigel (Whitestone, NY) claimed the starting job as a rookie and averaged 7.6 points, 1.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game. The Hawks also return senior off-guard and three-year letter-winner Rebecca Osleeb (New York, NY).
Freshman guard Colleen Kelly (Hyde Park, NY) and freshman forward Tania Liberato (Brentwood, NY) are two newcomers who could make an immediate impact.
” I think we belong in the SUNYAC Tournament,” said Duckworth, who hopes to have the Hawks playing for the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. “That’s our goal for this season, because once you get there you never know.”
SUNY New Paltz will host New York City Tech, Mount St. Mary and City College of New York in a tournament on November 22-23 to open the year. The Hawks will begin their conference season on December 6 against Fredonia.
