Leading scorer Hall returns for C.W. Post
C.W. Post's Gil Montalvo hits for two from outside over Molloy's Brian Hutchinson in 98-63 win. (March 4, 2009) Credit: Newsday / Patrick E. McCarthy
Its 23-6 record, a run to the conference finals and the return of two standouts earned C.W. Post a share of the top seed in the East Coast Conference with defending champ Bridgeport.
C.W. POST PIONEERS
The return of leading scorer Aaron Hall (16 points per game), all-conference sophomore John Kohler and senior Gil Montalvo provides stability, although the Pioneers have a new coach in Chris Casey.
"We'll try to push the ball and score quickly as they have in the past," said Casey, who replaced Tim Cluess. "But defensively, we'll play more man-to-man and full-court press."
Post has six new players, including Southern Connecticut transfer Tobin Carberry and Will Slinkosky from Suffolk CC-Selden.
NYIT BEARS
NYIT reached the ECC semifinals and enters this season ranked fourth with the return of all-conference senior Jerrell Walker, a 6-6, 260-pound forward. They'll also be led by sharpshooter Daniel Berg and Dominic Scurry, a member of the all-conference rookie team.
The Bears' perimeter shooting should be helped with the addition of guard Jahari McKnight, coach Sal Lagano said.
MOLLOY LIONS
Preseason Player of the Year pick Brian Hutchinson returns, but Molloy lost six seniors after falling in the first round of the ECC tournament.
Hutchinson, a forward who averaged 15.2 points and 8.9 rebounds, will be the Lions' only senior, though Dariel Concha and Tolulade Jegede are also back and expected to start. Jimmy Nolan, a sophomore transfer from Broward, will likely be the point guard.
"We play Hofstra [today]," coach Charles Marquardt said, "so we'll have a good idea where we are after this weekend."
DOWLING GOLDEN LIONS
Dowling was 10-22 and lost David Seagers, its second all-time leading scorer, but coach Steve Hayn is convinced that last year's difficulties will make the team stronger.
The Golden Lions return senior guard Sean Smith, a good shooter, along with Josh Malone, John Merchant and Mike Hill. They'll have nine new players, including Algirdas Macevicius, an athletic 6-6 forward from Lithuania.
"It'll be hard to replace [Seagers]," Hayn said, "but I think we're at a point now where we can absorb the loss throughout the entire program . . . I'm really optimistic with this group.
ADELPHI PANTHERS
Adelphi is coming off a 22-11 campaign and returns all-conference star and leading scorer Richard Byrd (18.5), and top rebounder David Akinyooye (7.5). But the Panthers will face tough competition in the Northeast-10 and they've got a new coach in Dominick Savino, a former assistant who takes over for James Cosgrove.
"The 18 inches over [on the bench] is a huge move," Savino said, describing the transition to head coach. "I coached high school for 30 years, so basketball-wise, the move is pretty smooth. But it's learning everything else about the college level."
Richard Harkins, a pass-first guard, will run the point, and Robert Johnson provides back-court defense. Noel Allen, a 6-5 freshman, could become an excellent rebounder.
