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Amherst boys hoops looking for scoring
The graduation of Cordell Freeman (ECIC II Player of the Year, averaged 25 points), Chris France (averaged 17 points) and Andre Hakeem three-year varsity player) leaves some huge holes to fill, especially on offense. "This year, we're going to have to be more team oriented," said Chatelle. "We're going to need six or seven guys to score eight to 10 points." The question is whose going to step up? Chatelle thinks he can get points from 5-foot-8 senior Sam Schepart, who should start at shooting guard, 6-foot-1 senior guard Mike Yanity and 6-foot-2 junior forward Stephone Brown. But then again, he said he might depend on how his team matches up with other teams on certain nights. "As the season goes on, hopefully somebody will step up," said Chatelle. "If different guys step up that's fine with me because teams won't know who to concentrate on." Chatelle only returns one starter from last year's ECIC Division II championship team, 6-foot-3 senior Viron Hale. Hale can be used as a power forward or center although Chatelle said his team doesn't have a true center. Other forwards who will see minutes at the four or five spot are Brown, juniors Joe Kubek (6-foot-1), Jake Hoak (6-foot-1) and Roland Cook (6-foot-2) and senior Geoff Gallson (6-foot-1). Brown, Kubek and Hoak played JV last year; Gallson was a reserve on varsity. "Overall, they're real good passers," said Chatelle. When we get the ball in the post, we can hit the guard cutting. They do a nice job handling the ball and are working on their short range jumpers. They're not overly big but get into good position to get rebounds." Chatelle thinks his guards are athletic, led by 5-foot-11 sophomore Nico MacLean, 5-foot-8 junior Bert Smith, Schepart and 5-foot-10 junior Kevin Ford. Smith and Schepart are returning varsity players, Ford was on JV; MacLean was on modified. MacLean and Smith will run the point. Chatelle loves Schepart's shooting ability from the outside and his hustle on the court. Yanity or 6-foot-1 senior Kurt Ebsary will each see playing time at small forward. Both are returning varsity players who saw some minutes as juniors. "If our guards set their mind to it defensively, those guys (MacLean, Smith, Schepart, Ebsary, and Yanity) are going to be the ones making things happen for us," said Chatelle. Juniors James Gould and Scott Krajna, guard and forward, respectively, round out the team. After a successful two-year run in ECIC II, Amherst moves down to ECIC III. Chatelle thinks every game in the division is going to be competitive. "If a team goes 10-2 or 12-0, I don't think they're blowing people out," said Chatelle. Chatelle opens its season against Medina at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5. "I don't know where we will finish," said Chatelle. "We don't have a lot of kids with big game experience but some of them came off the bench and contributed last year. Hopefully, inexperience won't turn into turnovers."
"I'm excited to see them play," he added. "I think we'll be entertaining. Hopefully, that will translate into some success." |
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