NEW PALTZ, NY — Head coach Doug Pasquerella begins his fifth season at SUNY New Paltz after a 5-20 finish in the 2005-06 season, with seven of the teams losses registered by a margin of ten points or less. Pasquerella is excited about the depth on his team this year and the building of continuity.
Seniors John Hauser (East Williston, NY/Chaminade) and Matt Irwin (Brooklyn, NY/St. Edmund Prep) are the top returns for the Hawks. Hauser averaged 15.4 points and totaled 151 rebounds. He finished eighth in overall scoring in the SUNYAC and 11th in rebounds. Irwin finished second behind Hauser in team scoring, averaging 10.2 points per game. He made 40 out of 96 three-pointers and hit 41 free throws out of 51 attempts for an impressive 78.4% from the charity stripe. Irwin contributed a team high 3.6 assists per game from his point guard position.
Outside shooter Jimmy Sugrue (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY/Hastings) finished with 4.0 points and 1.1 boards a game, shooting 55.8% from behind the arc.
Sophomore swingman Matt Hauser (East Williston, NY/Chaminade) saw action in all 25 games last season and is projected to see more minutes this year and he will be an asset on both ends of the court.
The Hawks will miss the presence of Steven Lewis on the court due to a shoulder injury. Lewis had an impressive freshman campaign as he shot 66 of 123 (53.7%) from the field and totaled 84 rebounds.
Amseshem Foluke-Henderson (Queens, NY/H.S. Academy for American Studies), Tony Cannon (New York, NY/Millbrook) and Victor Alvarez (Far Rockaway, NY/Beach Channel) each return to the court for the Hawks after missing last season. In 2004-2005 Foluke-Henderson led the team averaging 16.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He shot 54.2% from the field and averaged 30.7 minutes of playing time. Cannon combined 8.8 points and 4.3 boards per game, while Alvarez saw action in all 25 games in 2004-05 and is expected to provide depth in the backcourt.
The team boasts nine first year players led by forwards Lee Bertram (Bayport, NY/Bayport Blue-Point), Cory Kindelmann (Nesconset, NY/Sachem North), and Phil Oliver (Poughkeepsie, NY/Peekskill). Pasquerella has been impressed with their agility and the ability to get to the rim and expects them to see playing time from the start.
Pasquerella is also high on newcomers Poughkeepsie graduates Mikaal Hurry (Poughkeepsie) and Trevor Johnson (Poughkeepsie) who will be vying for playing time.
Rounding out the roster are Anthony Bevilacqua (Glenville, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake), Andrey Frenkel (Brooklyn,NY/Midwood), Adesoji James (Bronx, NY/HS for American Studies), and Samuel Wolpert (Highland Park, NJ/Highland Park).
The Hawks begin their season on November 18th when they host Brooklyn College at 7:00 p.m.
