Albany Student Press, Sports Supplement, 1990 November 16

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2 Sports Supplement ALBANY STUDENT PRESS FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 16, 1990

FROM THE EDITOR CONTENTS

_ With the end of the semester inching closer ever so slowly Hagler sll prac ie Se
and finals creeping up on us, | prefer to focus on another topic- file of Albany's 6’ 6" g'
basketball. As those who know me well can attest, my devotion JPY eS center.
to hoops is so extreme that viewing the sport usually takes
precedence over my studies. | realize that this is not a good
habit, but for me, basketball (especially college) has become an
addiction. | generally stick with the hard stuff (Division |), but this
semester, I'll be doing some experimenting with what looks to be
some top-notch Division III action.

| wasn't around for last season's NCAA playoffs, but I've
been told that Albany's win at Potsdam, with hundreds of SUNYA
students in attendance,was truly awesome.

Because an announcement will be coming soon about
whether Albany athletics will upgrade its program on its way to
Division |, this season may be about a lot more than just making
the playoffs. Another strong showing from the men's team may
help to sway the athletic committee's decision if they are led to
believe that Albany can handle playing with the big boys. The
other pieces of the puzzle are there- a new fieldhouse on
campus, a major arena downtown (which may be enough to draw
some of the bigger basketball schools to the area if the financial
and media package is attractive enough), rapid restructuring of
Division | conferences, and a potential rivalry with our
Loudonville neighbors, the Siena Saints.

Maybe I'm getting a little too idealistic, but I'd prefer to call
it optimism. Did somebody say Big East?

Before | go, I'd like to thank the people who worked with
me to put this supplement together. Wayne, Patrick, Leon, Jerry -
your effort was much appreciated. Matt - thanks for the privilege
of working with your expertise. And, of course, my new boss
Meghan - you do outstanding work and don't ever forget it.

see page 3

Once again, Laurie Annunziato will run the show for the Lady
Danes. Andrew Schotz explains why she's so valuable to the team.

see page 3

The Great Danes are coming off a stellar season, reaching the
NCAA tournament in the process. How will this year's team fare?
Wayne Stock will give us the lowdown.

see page 4

The Lady Danes suffered through what head coach Mari Warner
called a "disappointing" season. However, they have a new system
and Patrick Cullen will explain what we should expect to see.

see page 5

Freshmen will make up most of this season's JV team. Leon
Feingold spoke to new coach James Jones to get his outlook.

see page 6)

After much success running the junior varsity, Jim Boland is now
in his fifth year as an assistant for the varsity. Jerry Kahn clues us
in on what makes the team tick.

see page 7|

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990 _ALBANY STUDENT PRESS $§

Playoff visions are on Mike Shene's mind

Michael Shene will be showing his stuff this year.

Lady Danes will rely heavily on Annunziato

By Andrew Schotz
SPORTS EDITOR

Here’s a tip for this year’s
Lady Danes basketball fans-
watch the point guard. Without
any clear-cut superstars this
season, her job will become that
much more important. A large
part of whether Albany sinks or
swims will depend on the play
of junior Laurie Annunziato and
whether she can run Albany’s
new offense with enough octane
to produce some decent point
totals. Remember, 40 of
Albany’s 70 points per game
have been lost to graduation.
Without dumping all of the
pressure of the offense on her
back, it seems apparent that the
Danes’ W and L columns will
clearly reflect the playmaking
abilitics of Annunziato.

Her first opportunity as a floor
general came in 1988, her
freshman year. Lisa Parrish was
injured and Sylvia Caldwell
became sick. This left
Annunziato with the starting job
and she hasn’t let go since.

It was overwhelming at first,
but she lost her butterflies
quickly. “I know I could handle
it,” sh id. “It just took tinre.”

Annunziato also started at the
point for last season’s 13-12
Dane squad. Her modest total of
7.6 per game was fourth on the
team behind Gina Richardson,
Pam Wilson and Sue Stempsey.
This trio was graduated,
however, making Annunziato the
squad’s top returning scorer.

But 7.6 ppg will not satisfy

Lady Danes’ head coach Mari
Warner this year. She labeled
Annunziato’s offensive play
“inconsistent” and expects to see
her point guard up her stats a bit.

Annunziato, an All-section
player at Nanuet High School,
couldn't agree more, “I hated it,”
she proclaimed, referring to the
scoring see-saw she experienced
last year. “I would get 15 points
one game and two the the next.”

Teammate Sue Jackey agrees
about Annunziato’s streakiness,
but has confidence in her ability
to break out of it. “Definitely,”
Jackey said when asked if
Annunziato’s scoring will
increase. “She has been hitting
the three-pointers.”

But Annunziato realizes fully
that while she should have a
higher scoring average, it’s not
as crucial to the team as her
passing is. “I don’t feel that I
should get 15 points per game or
1 didn’t do the job,” she
explained.

Annunziato’s total of 91
assists (3.6/game) in 1989-90
was team-high, but less than par
for a good point guard. “The
assists will go up,” she promised.
“(Last year) I was tentative to
pass inside... This year we
finally have height- three six
foot plus players. It makes me
very happy. I’ll finally have
someone to throw in to.”

Even if Annunziato’s assist
average wasn’t spectacular, she
finished her second season with
Albany as the school’s #4 all-
time assist leader (165). Is she

Raquel Moller UPS.

By Wayne Stock
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Don’t think that Michael Shene doesn’t
remember Albany’s loss to North Adams
State in the NCAA Division III
Tournament last year.

“T keep thinking about that weekend,”
said the 6’6” center of this year’s team. “I
keep thinking about how things could
have been.”

The Danes, who hosted the sectionals
of the tourney last year, would have
advanced to the Final Four with two
victories.

The blue-eyed captain will once again
look to lead his team back to the big
show. A team with only four players
returning and a much different look than
last season.

“Last year we had a lot of chemistry,”
Shene said. “This year I feel we have
more talent.”

Shene, a senior, had a team-high
average of 14.9 points per game and 7.8
rebounds per game last season. He also
led the Danes with 72 blocked shots.

“He’ll have a big year again,” said head

coach Richard Sauers. “We expect him to_

score what he did last season.”

This season the Plattsburgh native and
graduate of Mount Assumption Institute
will get playing time at the small forward
position,

Shene played the low post as a two-
time member of the Adirondack Empire
State team. It is a position he feels he is
comfortable with.

“Sauers, however, has expressed concern
about Shene potentially getting burned by
an agile forward.

“T have a problem with Shene guarding
a quick three man,” Sauers said. “But 1
also have a problem with him guarding a
big physical guy.”

consciously trying to break the
record? That question
Annunziato emphatically
answered, “Definitely no. If I do
it, great. If not, (it’s) no big
loss.”

Three-point - shooting is
another area where Annunziato’s
statistics lead the returning
players. She was 16-53 (30.2%).
In fact, she and Jackey are the
only returning members of the
“89-90 unit to have made a
three-pointer. But despite
Jackey’s observations of her
trifecta prowess, Annunziato
doesn’t see the three-pointer as a
key element in her game.

“Three-point shooting is Sue
Jackey’s role,” she explained.
“She sets herself up for the
three-pointer. I never
consciously shoot it. [ won’t
look for it.”

Free-throws were shots that
Annunziato didn’t look for last
year either, She didn’t care at all
for charity tosses, mostly due to
nerves. The evidence is her .577
percentage (45-78).

“I choke on free-throws, but
I’m more confident this year,”
Annunziato said. “I don’t like
being up there in’ front of a lot
of people all alone. But I do not
worry this year. I just go up and
shoot. If I miss, (it’s) no big deal.
Igo back and forget about it.”

What is a big deal is how
Annunziato will lead the Lady
Danes as they run a new simpler
set offense. It will consist of four
players on the perimeter, leaving

Shene is confident he can handle the
job if called upon.

“T feel I can stay with them,” said the
thinly-built Shene. “It will also balance
out on the offensive end because they'll
have to cover me.”

No matter what position he’s at, Shene
is sure to frustrate his opponents with a
quick inside move and an accurate jumper
to boot.

The youngest of three brothers, Shene
credits his older brothers with part of the
success he has achieved.

“They got me interested in the game,”
Shene said. “As a kid, they always found
a spot for me to play.”

But for the youngest Shene, ihe family
inspiration goes even further. Whether it’s
in front of a capacity home playoff crowd
or 200 people in Eastern Connecticut,
there's one face you will always see in the
crowd.

“Ever since I’ve been here, my dad
would be sitting behind our bench,”
Shene said. “I think he has missed
something like four games. I give him all
the credit in the world.”

In his last year as a college player,
Shene realizes there are very few
openings at the professional level. Those
openings are even fewer for someone
coming out of a Division III program.

Shene is hoping that after graduation he
can follow in the footsteps of former
teammate Andrew Goodemote, who
averaged 11.4 points a game last season
for the Danes. Goodemote is currently
playing for Plymouth in the European
league.

“It’s something I'd definitely like to
do,” Shene said. “But I know that there
comes a time when it has got to end.”

‘Armando Vargas UPS
Continued on page 7 Laurie Annunziato has her sights set on on improving the Lady Danes.

4 Sports Supplement aisany STUDENT PRESS FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 16. 1990

Replacing lost offense will be on agenda
All new backcourt, play of big men will key Danes’ success

By Wayne Stock
EDITOR-IN-CHIEP

When the Great Danes take
the floor in the season opening
Capital District Tournament,
don’t expect to see many of the
same forces that led Albany into
the third round of the Division
Il NCAA Tournament last year.

With the loss of five seniors
from last years squad, Albany
enters the 1990-91 campaign
with an abundance of youth and
only four players from last
season, a situation that has head
coach Richard Sauers concerned.

“Right now we don’t have the
chemistry we had last year,”
Sauers said. “We’re proceeding
slow because of the newness of
the people, but we’ve made a
great deal of progress.”

Sauers, with a record of 580-
265, enters his 35th season with
the Danes as the winningest
active coach in Division III
basketball.

The big key for Albany early
on will revolve around their
perimeter game. The loss of
Stephen Mulderry, Andrew
Goodemote and Dennis Walker,
who combined for 32.7 points a
game and a total 102 three-
pointers, will leave a big void to
fill.

Juniors Ed Feller and Jeff
Farnsworth will attempt to fill
the slack as the starting
backcourt tandem.

Feller, known for his all-out
style of play, averaged 4.3 points
per game last season and will get
the call at the point. The 6-2
Valley Central product is
Albany’s primary long ball
threat,

Feller saw most of his action
last season coming off the bench
at the off-guard, but will be
relied on this year as the pace
setter,

“He may have some difficulty
early on,” Sauers said, “but he
can do the job.”

Coach Richard Sauers will soon start his 35th season for Albany.

The 1990-91 University of Albany Great Danes

“IT have to make an
adjustment,” Feller said. “I have
more of a shooting guard
mentality. I have to learn how to
go to different speeds.”

Feller saw action as a point
guard at the junior varsity level.

Farnsworth, who played last
season at the small forward, will
move back to his natural position
as a shooting-guard. “I’d much
rather play the two (guard) over
the three (forward),” Farnsworth
said.

With a deadly outside touch,
Farnsworth possesses the ability
to be a big scoring threat.
Farnsworth was a starter last
season but was benched midway
through the year after some poor
performances and an ankle
injury. He averaged 6.7 points a
game.

Sauers, however, feels that
Farnsworth has pulled it back

together and is ready to go.

“Jeff’s making a real
commitment to the game,”
Sauers said.

“I sprained my ankle (last
year) and had a real tough time
coming back,” Farnsworth said,

If the Danes are to be nearly as
successful as the 20-9 mark that
they posted last season, one man
will once again have to come up
big. That man is Michael Shene.

Shene, who will again start at
center, led the Danes in scoring
and rebounding last season,
averaging 14.9 and 7.8 per game,
respectively.

“I’m looking to take it one
more notch,” said the 6-6 senior
captain. “We’re a young team
but we’re going to surprise some
people.”

Despite his thin frame, Shene
is usually able to get good
position under the boards.
Combine that with a pinpoint
baseline jumper, Shene will once
again be a force in the middle.

According to Sauers, however,
when the Danes face a team with
a big, physical center, Shene will
move over to the small forward:

“That’s the place I always
wanted to play,” Shene said,

The initial starter at the small
post will be freshman transfer
Bob Miller.

Miller, who played at Clareon
State, a Division III school,
combines a good outside touch
with a great court quickness,

Sauers is confident that Miller
will have no trouble getting used
to the system.

“He’s adjusted well,” Sauers
said. “He can make a lot of big
plays.”

“I just want to come in and do
the best that I can do,” Miller
said. “The only thing that is hard
is learning the plays. Once you
get that down, it’s pretty easy.”

Last season, Albany was a big
perimeter shooting club. This
season, the Danes will look to
establish more of a physical,

Men's Roster

Jim Lukaszewski ASP

inside game.

That type of game will revolve
around Alex McClearn.

The bulky 6’3” junior will
again start at power forward.
McClearn averaged 9.5 points
and 7.5 rebounds per game last
season, and, according to Sauers,
his role will increase this season.

“We're going to try and get the
ball into Alex a lot more,”
Sauers said. “He’ll be ready
when the bell rings.”

“I’m going to try and take
advantage of every open chance
I get,” McClearn said. “I’m
going to make a lot more
moves.” ~

McClearn came on strong at
the end of last season. If he can
establish a solid, outside touch,
combined with his already
proven big inside play, the Danes
are going to be tough to beat.

When Shene moves over to
the low post, look for Mark
Zuklie to join McClearn down

Continued on page 7

40/41 Scott Altrui
44/45 Richard Bosch
42/33 Tom Carlson

10/11 Ed Feller

34/35 Richard Cohen
20/21 Jeff Farnsworth

S36) 6-5
SO 6-4
SO 6-3
SO 5-11
JR 6-4
JR 6-2
FR 6-4
JR 6-3
FR 6-3
FR 5-10
SO 6-6
JR 6-1
SR 6-6
SR 6-6

Forward/Center
Forward

Guard

Guard
Guard/Forward
Guard

Forward
Forward
Guard/Forward
Guard

Center

Guard
Forward/Center
Forward Center

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990 _ALBANY STUDENT PRESS Sports Supplement 5.

as 1990-91 b

Annunziato and tri-captains will tr

By Patrick Cullen
STAFF WRITER

Any new season brings
changes for a team, no matter
what sport it may be. New
players must try to accustom
themselves with the particular
team and somehow find their
role in it all. A coach may
employ new strategies in the
hope that the team will become a
better one. A team must also
adjust to the loss of key players
it may have depended on before
and hope that a player (or
players) will rise to guide the

team through the

SUNY Albany
basketball team must be able to
handle similar changes in order
to succeed this season

The Lady Danes of last year
ended the season with'a record
of 13-12. They made it to the
New York State Tournament,
mostly because of their power
rating, which is a calculation of
the quality of their opponents.
They lost in the first round to #1
seed Hartwick College.

“We encouraged a very tough
schedule last season,” said coach
Mari Warner. “Competing
against some of the best teams in
New York and other states will
definitely make winning
consistently tough.”

Unfortunately, Warner thinks
that this season’s schedule is
much tougher than that of last
year. She stated, somewhat
painfully, “Since we are mulling
a move into Division I, we were
dropped off the schedule of
some weaker teams, like SUNY
Bi mton and Manhattanville,
and subsequently we were added
to the schedule of some tough
teams, like SUNY Buffalo and
the College of Saint Rose.”

Warner doesn’t want the easy
way out, though. “I believe in a
strong schedule,” she said. “It
makes the team work that much
harder and gives real experience
to the younger players still
trying to learn the system.”
Through the season, the Lady

The 1990-91 University of Albany Lady Danes.

Danes will face traditionally
tough foes like New York
University (twice) , Keuka
College, SUNY Buffalo (twice)
and Hartwick.

In order to understand the
changes, it is necessary to take a
look at what the Lady Danes
will be losing.

Standout Gina Richardson is
probably the most important
loss. As a senior, she led the
team in scoring (16.3 points per
game) and rebounding (9.1
ists per game), was second in
assists and blocked shots, and
was third in steals. She finished
as the second leading scorer in
school history.

About Richardson, Warner
said, “Besides missing her
offensive and defensive
capabilities, the team will miss
the leadership she displayed on
and off the court.”

Another important factor is the
loss of Pam Wilson. Pam was
second in scoring (9.5),

rebounding (7.4), steals and
blocked shots, and had an
excellent free-throw percentage.
She is also #6 on Albany’s
career rebounding list. However,
Warner will have Pam by her
side this season as an assistant
coach,

Sue Stempsey was an
excellent outside shooter whose
speciality was the- three-pointer,
Last year, she led the team in
treys and was third in scoring
(9.2) and assists. Wamer termed
Stempsey’s performance in the
last 5 games of the season as
“awesome.”

Lisa Ginsberg was an
intimidator on defense who led
the team in blocked shots and
was third in rebounding (5.1).

Lisa Carracio played both the
point-guard and the off-guard
(shooting-guard) positions.

Although SUNYA_ will
definitely miss the skills and the
leadership of these players, the
team sports a strong cast of

21 Laurie Annunziato
44 Ikeuchi Franklin
35 Suzanne Jackey
31 Tanya Johnson
25 Patsy Kivlehan

32 Melita Marchese
12 Faith Miller

Women's Roster

SO 5-10
SO Osh,
so 5-6
FR 5-11
JR 5-8
JR 5-7

Center
Guard
Guard
Center
Guard
Guard

returning and new players which
will give the team vitality.

Five-foot, two-inch junior
point-guard Laurie Annunziato
was called on as a freshman to
lead the offense after injuries
depleted the point-guard
position.

“Laurie has an extraordinary
amount of experience going into
her junior year,” Warner said.
“More experience than you
would usually find in a junior.”

As the starting point-guard,
Laurie will lead the team’s
offense and try to create scoring
Opportunities for her fellow
teammates.

Last year, she topped the team
in assists and steals and scored
7.6 points per game, fourth on
the team. Warner will look to
Laurie for a litle more scoring
this year.

Five-foot, seven-inch tri-

asketball season begin
y to perfect new offense

captain Faith Miller will play
either the off-guard or the small-
forward. Last year, sne was used
primarily as the sixth person, or
the first person to come off the
bench. She achieved a scoring
average of 6.8 points per game
and shot over 50 percent from
the field, the only player on the
team to do so. According to
Warner, Miller will be in the
Starting lineup this season and
Warmer will expect her to carry
more of the scoring load this
year.

Junior small-torward Tara
Mizell, another tri-captain,
penetrates opposing defenses
well. “Tara is a very dedicated,
hard worker who serves as a
positive role model off the court,
which complements her abilities
on the court,” said Warner.

Continued on page 6

File

Head coach Mari Warner was not pleased with her team's record

& Sports Supplement ALBANY STUDENT PRESS FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 16, 1990

New coach takes helm of freshman- rich junior varsity

By Leon Feingold
STAFF WRITER

With most of the attention focused on
Albany’s varsity basketball team each
year, the junior varsity team tends to be
overlooked. But the perennial success of
the J.V. Danes cannot long remain
unnoticed,

Last year, the J.V. team performed
admirably, winning 70 percent of their 20-
game schedule to finish with a 14-6
record. They defeated strong teams
statewide, including rivals Oneonta and
RPI en route to their successful season. As
evidence of their strength, five members
of this year’s varsity team (Scott Altrui,
Richard Bosch, Steve Pettus, Steve Ries
and Rich Cohen played on last year’s J.V.
squad, an unusually high number.

This year’s team, according to head
coach James Jones, has the potential to
match, if not exceed, the success of last
year’s team. By listening to him, one gets
the impression that the team has their
work cut out for them.

“We've had two scrimmages so far,
against two tough teams,” Jones said. “In
the past, we've always started out with
solid performances. It didn’t happen that
way in our last two scrimmages. We have
our first game on the 16th of November
(against RPI), and there are a lot of things
we need to work on. I think, though, that
we should have sufficient time to do
that.”

The 1990-91 JV team will be made up
almost completely of freshmen, Jones
explains, because the whole idea of the
JV system is to prepare the players for the
varsity team. Those who do not make
varsity their second year do not have a
place on the team, with all the younger
talent coming in. In this way, the younger
players get their chance to show what
they can do on the court, and get a feel of
the game with hands-on experience.

With this year’s team, Jones feels that
instead of having one dominating player
to look to, he likes the idea of having
what he calls “a well-rounded team.” The
two co-captains of the squad, 6’6”
forward/center Paul Fitzpatrick and 5’ 10”
guard Dan Keegan, figure to be looked to

for leadership by the coaches and their
teammates. Both should make a big
impact on this year’s team, but they are
nol going to be the only players on the
team, and Jones wants to make that clear.

“We're going to have four or five guys
averaging in double figures, or close to it
each game,” Jones said. “I don’t forsee us
having a real go-to guy. During the
season, I think we’re going to work in
unison, where everyone’s going to get the
chance to score and shoot.”

This is Jones’ first year coaching
Albany basketball. He has had previous
experience as a basketball coach in
summer leagues and in Comsewogue, a
Long Island high school where he worked
alongside his brother, who was the
school’s coach.

Now aside from coaching the
basketball team at Albany, he also
instructs several basketball classes during
the week.

One reason why Jones has taken so
well to the Albany system is because he
attended school here. He played on the JV
basketball team for two years and was
named MVP. He then moved on to play
on varsity before he graduated in 1986.

When the previous coach, Lowes
Moore, left to join a monastery last year,
Jones was in the right place at the right
time. After he was graduated, he had been
working as a businessman for National
Cash Register. He learned about the
vacancy while coaching basketball and
attaining his Masters’ degree in
marketing; the JV job was perfect for him.

In three or four years when he gets his
degree, he will have to decide whether to
stay in coaching or to return to the
business world, For now, however, Jones
is content to exert his efforts towards
improving the team that he is now with
and preparing them for the season ahead.

There is one problem that Jones sces
that is out of his control, and that is fan
attendance at home games. As Jones put
1, “We'd like to see some fans come out
and watch us play...we’d like to try to get
some fans in the stands, to come and
watch the kids play. It will be competitive
and there will be some excitement.”

Armando Vargas UPS

Junior varsity begins its season on Monday at home against Rensselaer

1990-1991 University at Albany Varsity Basketball Schedules

Women

Men
11/16-17 Capital District Tournament H 6:00-8:00
Skidmore vs. Union
R.P.l vs. Albany
12/1 Binghamton A 8:00
12/5 Hamilton College A 8:00
12/7-8 Alfred Tournament A TBA
12/12 University at Buffalo A 8:00
12/15 Plymouth State H 7:30
12/28-29 Great Dane Tournament H 6:00-8:00
1/3 Montclair State A 7:30
1/5 North Adams State College A 7:30
1/9 Oneonta State H 8:00
12 Buffalo State A 8:00
SWates Union College A 8:00
VAT Ithaca College - H 8:00
age) Cortland State H 8:00
1/22 Plattsburgh State A 8:00
1/26 Potsdam College H 8:00
1/28 Plymouth State A 7:00
1/31 SUNY Old Westbury A 7:30
2/2 Stony Brook H 8:00
2/5 Eastern Connecticut H 8:00
2/10 Hartwick A 3:00
2/13 Skidmore College A 8:00
2/23 R.P.I. A 8:00

11/17-18
11/20
125
27-28
12/1
12/3
12/5
12/8
tents
1/6
1/9
WN2
1/16
1/19
1/22
1/26-27
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990

ALBANY STUDENT PRESS Sports Supplement 7
Assistant coach gives his thoughts on the Great Danes

By Jerry Kahn
ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR

James Boland, who is one of
Albany’s assistant basketball
coaches, is starting another year
with the Great Danes.

Of his seven years at Albany,
four have been spent as Richard
“Doc” Sauers’ assistant coach,
and for the other three, Boland
was the junior varsity coach.

Boland also teaches social
studies part-time at St. Anne’s
Institute to 10th and 11th
graders.

He has a wife, Terri, and a
two-year-old son, who is named
Brendon.

In 1977, Boland was
graduated from Shaker High
School, where he was on the
basketball team. Five years later,
he graduated from Oneonta
State, where he also played
basketball. In his senior year, he
was the captain of his team. He
played point guard and off-guard
in college.

Before he came to Albany,
Boland coached the Troy High
School freshman team to an 8-10
record.

He said that his record was
“good, if you saw my team. We
couldn’t even do a lay-up.”

In the three years in which he
coached the Great Danes’ junior
varsity team. Boland’s records
were 17-3, 12-10, and 12-9,

respectively. Overall, his record
is 41-22 (.651).

Currently, as the Danes’
assistant coach of the varsity
team, Boland works with guards,
assists in game preparation and
recruiting, and helps out with the
local players.

Boland looked ahead to the
upcoming season, which begins
on Friday.

“We had a very good season
last year, and we’re hoping to, if
we can, improve upon that,”
Boland said. “It’s just a question
(of) how well we come together.
We don’t know how we’re going
to react. (On) this team, we see a
lot of talent. (However,) they
haven’t played together.”

When asked about the team’s
goals, Boland replied, “We don’t
generally give..a player a goal,
necessarily. We certainly look for
Alex McClearn and Michael
Shene to get...seven, eight to ten
rebounds. We’d like both of
them to get close to double
figures.”

McClearn and Shene, who is
the team captain, can be used as
a power forward and a center,
interchangeably.

Boland said that he felt that
McClearn is the team’s best
defensive rebounder. He was
voted that honor by his
teammates.

“1 think you can look for

Michael (Shene) to come in and
have a good season,” Boland
said. “He’s just beginning to
come back from the (ankle)
injury. We push Michael because
we expect a lot out of him.”

“Another key to our season
should be Alex McClearn,”
Boland said. “He’s a presence
down low. He’s a good
rebounder. This year, I
think...he’s going to have a really
good season.”

Other important players are
juniors Ed Feller, who is a point
guard, and Jeff Farnsworth, who
is a two-guard.

“It seems like he’s very
dedicated to having a good

season,” Boland said, of
Farnsworth. “In the practices,
he’s playing very well.”

Of Feller, Boland said, “He’s a
good athlete, and he’ll do well.”

When asked what changes
there will be this year, Boland
answered, “This year...we’re
going to be looking at the post a
little bit more.”

Boland cited some of the other
players who will be important
for the Great Danes. He named
Mark Zuklie, Bobby Miller,
Steve Ries, and Gary Murray.

“Bobby Miller...has got a lot
of talent,” Boland said. “People
enjoy watching Bobby. He plays
good defense. He runs the ball.

seems to faze him too much.”
Miller is a small forward.
Ries, who is a guard, played

one year of varsity at Oneonta,

which should give depth,

according to Boland.

Gary Murray, who is a
freshman point guard, is quick.
“He'll be a crowd pleaser when
he gets out there,” Boland said.

Armando Vargas UPS

Former JV coach James Boland is now an assistant with the varsity.

PERT

nnunziato

Continued from page 3
only one in the low post. "Last year,
‘flexibility’ (the name of the offense) was
confusing,” Annunziato admitted.

Her teammates seem to be calm about
the transition they will face and whether
Annunziato can pull them through it.

“Laurie can handle the situation,” Faith
Miller said. “I feel comfortable with her.
She’s trustworthy.”

She’s a very strong team leader,”
Jackey said. “When she calls the plays,
you listen or you will get yelled at. She is
very structured.”

Annunziato isn’t bothered by the fact
that she isn't one of the tri-captains and
acknowledges that there are boundaries
that her role does not cross.

“I am the leader ‘sometimes’,
Annunziato emphasized. “I call the lays:
That’s as far as it goes.”

Miller is less fervent in trying to
distinguish whether point guard duties
should overlap with those of captain.

“Her leadership is very important
because she is running the offense,”
Miller said, “and has to tell people to
relax and where to go. We need as much
leadership as we can get.

Annunziato’s ability to direct the team
will show up at both ends of the court -
she will be calling some defensive plays,
too. Not a bad choice, considering her 74
Steals last season which put her into the
#8 slot in Albany history (118).

“We'll play a quick, running defense,”
Annunziato said. “We'll be flying out at
people, with no rest, always moving.”

Annunziato seems comfortable with
the relationship she has with her coach,

“She expects 100% every day and takes
no less,” Annunziato stated. “If you want
success, you have to work hard.”

Annunziato appreciates the concern
Warner has for the team, though. “She
cares about all of us,” she continues. “She
helps me with work and personal matters.
.1f you could call a coach a friend, she
comes closest to being one.”

While Albany looks to rebound after a

less-than-satistying season, Annunziato is
happy to be along for the ride. She
doesn’t regret her decision to come to
Albany over Delaware, Hofstra,
Muhlenberg and Stony Brook. As she

bee ity aie Sther team would take a 5’
”” point guard?

Men's Basketball

Continued from page 4

Zuklie played for Albany during the
1988-89 season, but took last year off to
concentrate on his studies.

Zuklie can keep the ball alive on the
boards and is a good short-range shooter.

The other big man for the Danes is
Scott Altrui. The 6’5” lefthander played
the low post for the junior varsity last
season, but will be moved up this year to
the high-post as a backup to McClearn
and Shene.

Coming off the bench as a guard is
Garry Murray."He's going to get some
playing time," Sauers said.

Murray has uncanny speed and can
prove to be a big asset when the Danes go
to a breaking offense.

Steve Ries, a junior varsity player last
season, will also see some playing time.

Ries was a starter at Oneonta State two
years ago, and according to Sauers, might
be used when they are in a zone.

Richard Bosch, Tom Carlson, Richard
Cohen and Steve Pettus round out the
team, but may not see much court time.

Albany will play. 14 of their 24 regular
season games on the road. According to
Sauers, that situation arose because a few
teams backed out of commitments to play
in University Gym.

Twelve of the teams on the Danes’
schedule were in postseason play last
year, including four who appeared in the
NCAA toumament.

Women's b'ball

continued from page 5

The last of the tri-captains, senior
forward Michele Traver, is a very good
rebounder who possesses a range of about
18 feet on her jump shot. Michele also
has excellent mobility and agility for a

He’s only a freshm:

Sophomore guard Tanya Johnson, in
Warner's words,"has begun to show
increased maturity from last year."
Johnson's forte is the up-tempo game,
which utilizes her speed and ballhandling
skills.

Five-foot,seven-inch guard Suzanne
Jackey is known for her deadly outside
shot and her deft passing ability.

Guard/forward Casey Stanley, a wie
sophomore, has been the biggest surprise
for Warner. “So far in pre-season,”
Warner said, “Casey has been a very
pleasant surprise with outstanding play on
both ends of the floor.” Warner added,
“She has definitely been the most
consistent player this season so far.”

Five-foot, ten-inch center/forward
Ikeuchi Franklin, according to Warner,
has the ability to be great. “The biggest
problem with Ikeuchi,” Warner said, “is
her lack of consistency.” Warner will look
to Franklin to score down low under the
basket, where she is very hard to defend.

Five-foot eight Melita Marchese plays
both guard and forward. She is an
excellent passer and goes to the hoop
exceptionally well.

The Lady Danes feature a number of
newcomers who will help the more
experienced players on the squad.

Freshman Lynda Nealis, a 5’7” guard
from Kings Park, can play either the
point-guard or off-guard position. “Lynda
is a very hard worker with an abundance
of potential," Warner stated.

Tonya Morrissey, a 5’10” junior
transfer, plays power forward. Warner
intimatéd, “Tanya is extremely strong and
a very tough rebounder. In addition, she
has a real nose for the ball.”

Five-foot eight freshman Kristy
Sprague, a guard from Moriah Center, is a
quality outside shooter with the ability to
shoot the 3-pointer. Warner wants
Sprague to work on her foot quickness in
order to help improve her defense.

Two new players who will add size to
the team are freshman Patsy Kivlehan and
junior Aimee Phelan.

Kivlehan is a ‘six-footer from

Gamerville who will play center for the
Lady Danes. Warner glowed, “Patsy has
the best attitude on the team; she is
extremely enthusiastic and is a very
coachable player.”

Phelan is a junior center who hasn’t
played basketball competitively for four
years. Warner expects to slowly assimilate
the 6’1” Albany native back into
basketball.

“Aimee’s defense is very strong,”
Warner said. “Her size and long arms will
help add blocked shots and needed
rebounding to the squad.”

In order to create more individuality on
offense, Warner has instituted a new four
perimeter, one post offensive system. In
laymen’s terms, four players will be
situated around the area of the three-point
line and one will be around the basket.
This allows each individual player to use
her talents more. This offense is supposed
to create more open shots for the outside.
shooter. On the other hand, this system
will also create lanes to drive through for
the slashers and the penetrators.

An unexpected plus for the Lady Danes
so far this year is improved free-throw
shooting, previously a weak spot.

In practice, Warner makes her players
shoot ten with their eyes closed and ten
with their eyes open. She claims it helps
the players think more and spells
increased concentration when shooting
free-throws in a game. So far, Warner said
that most of her players are above the 60
percent mark in free-throw percentage.

Defensively, Warner is employing an
aggressive, up-tempo style of defense. “I
will make good use of the press, full and
half-court,” she said, “and will also use a
more aggressive version of the typical
quarter-court defense.” She added, “I
expect a good amount of forced turnovers
by our defense, which will in turn create
opportunities on offense.”

The Lady Danes have their faults,
though. As the regular season approaches,
Warner foresees a couple of weaknesses.
“Defensive rebounding may be a
problem,” she said. “Also, timing of
passes could be a problem."

SUNY 4LBany

University Concert
Board

presents:

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 96.1990
Palace Iheater * 6 PM

= :
: Tickets: $ 10 (w/student I.D) Avallable |

through

$ 12 (w/out student I.D) Ticketron