Men’s Basketball
AMCC Champions: 2009-10, 2008-09
NCAA Tournament: 2010, 2009
Coaches | News | Photos | 2009-10 Schedule | 2009-10 Roster | 2009-10 Statistics | Career Leaders | Summer Camp Brochure
One Step Closer – The Medaille College men’s basketball team headed into the 2009-2010 season with a target on their backs as they looked to defend their AMCC Regular Season and Tournament titles. The Mavs got off to a scorching start as they won their first thirteen games, including a win at then #9 John Carroll University. That win avenged a hard fought loss to JCU in the 2009 NCAA Tournament. The Mavs would put together a seven win stretch as well en route to a program best (24-5) overall record and a (16-4) mark in AMCC play.
They won their second straight AMCC regular season and tournament titles propelling them to the NCAA Tournament for consecutive years. The Mavs would have a breakthrough this time as they upended Nazareth College in the opening round in an overtime thriller that saw the Mavs hit a leaner at the buzzer to send them to the extra frame. The Mavs then dropped a heartbreaking one point loss to SUNY-IT in the Second Round.
Leading the way for Medaille was Keith Hack (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay) who was named the AMCC Player of the Year and was selected First Team All-Region by the NABC. Hack averaged (14.8) points and (6.5) rebounds and became the third player in program history to reach the (1,000) point and (500) rebound plateau’s for a career. He finished his stellar career in third place on the all time points list with (1,211) and second in rebounding with (544). Fellow senior Chris Moscato (Buffalo, NY/Canisius) became the schools all time assists leader, dishing out (103) on the season and (393) over four years. He also finished fourth on the all time steals list with (117), first in games played (110) and third in 3-point field goals made (161). Mike Berkun (Getzville, NY/Williamsville North) ended his Medaille career first in three point field goal percentage (43.7%), second from the charity stripe (83.6%) and fourth in assists with (199). The Mavs also graduated Kelly Condello (Fairport, NY/Fairport) and Ben Kopp (Franklinville, NY/Franklinville) both of whom provided the team with quality minutes and strong play both in the paint and from behind the arc.
For the second straight season and third time in his four years patrolling the sidelines, head coach Mike MacDonald earned AMCC Coach of the Year honors. The Mavs will look to a strong core of returning players and some fresh faces to try and defend their titles and move deeper into the NCAA Tournament in 2011.
2009-10 Preview: The 2009-10 Medaille Mavericks come into the season looking to improve upon a First Round NCAA Tournament appearance last season. With seven returning players who averaged over ten minutes of action last season, including 5 seniors and 2 all conference selections, this years team has a wealth of experience to help them navigate through a very difficult schedule including an exhibition game against Division I Colgate University. The Mavericks open the season at home against SUNYAC Powerhouse Geneseo State on November 17th, before hosting the Ad Pro Sports Classic on November 19th and 21st. The non conference schedule is highlighted by a trip to Cleveland to face John Carroll, who is ranked #2 nationally in D3hoops.com preseason poll.
Senior forward Keith Hack (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay) is the team’s top returning scorer and was a first team AMCC selection last season. Hack was voted Preseason player of the year in conference this season by the AMCC coaches. Junior guard Ricky Reed (Rochester, NY/Rush-Henrietta) joins Hack as the teams other returning all conference player. Reed was in the team’s top four in points, rebounds, steals and assists last season. The third returning starter is senior forward Chris Moscato (Buffalo, NY/Canisius) who has been a captain for the Mavericks since his sophomore year and currently ranks third all time in school history in assists with (286).
Senior guards Mike Berkun (Getzville, NY/Williamsville North) and Ben Kopp (Franklinville, NY/Franklinville) will be looked upon to make major contributions for the Mavericks this season. Both players had very strong junior seasons, Kopp started eight games and made a buzzer beating three-pointer to win a game. Berkun was second on the team in assists last season with (59) and was also a team captain. Senior Kelly Condello (Fairport, NY/Fairport) and junior Ron Malicki (Machias, NY/Pioneer) look to hold down the center position this year for the Mavericks. Condello has been a reliable force and great leader for the Mavericks off the bench throughout his career and is looking to have a breakout senior season. Malicki looks to improve on his impressive 9 point and 4 rebound averages from a season ago.
Several Mavericks are looking to enter the rotation this season after losing three seniors a year ago. Junior forward Joe Mogavero (Kenmore, NY/Kenmore West) and junior guard Kevin Borden (Fairport, NY/Fairport) are poised to take major strides forward this season. Mogavero was a major defensive force for the team last season in spot duty but he will be counted on this year to do much more. Borden is a sharp shooter who will look to add some scoring punch for the Mavericks off the bench. Sophomore guards Phil Maiarana (Kenmore, NY/St. Joe’s) and Angel Flores (Bronx, NY/Samuel Gompers) are looking to emerge as reliable options off the bench this season. Sophomore forwards Matt Dunford (Buffalo, NY/Bishop Timon) and Steve Bryant (Lancaster, NY/Bishop Timon) both look to provide sparks off the bench.
The Mavericks have four newcomers this season: sophomore center David Shuey (Newfane, NY/Newfane), freshman guards Anthony Battaglia (Lancaster, NY/Depew), Josh Laureano (Albion, NY/Kendall) and Tyler Stevens (Depew, NY/Depew)
A Championship Season!
The 2008-2009 men’s basketball season turned into a magical run that saw the Mavs reach unprecedented heights. The Mavs reached the twenty win mark for the first time ever, won their first AMCC Regular Season title, and capped that off with their first ever AMCC Tournament Championship. The conference tournament run landed the Mavs in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time as well. They faced John Carroll University, a tournament fixture and the nations 10th ranked team, in the opening round. That game was played at John Carroll in Cleveland, Ohio. It was an epic battle that saw the Mavs claw back from a double digit deficit in the second half to have a chance in the games final two minutes to steal a victory. The host team proved to be tournament tough as they held off the Mavs, John Carroll would advance to the third round of the tournament. The success of the Mavs season earned them several honors as Keith Hack (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay) was named First Team All-Conference, Ricky Reed (Rochester, NY/Rush-Henrietta) made Second Team All-Conference and head coach Mike MacDonald garnered AMCC Coach of the Year Honors for the second time in three seasons at the helm. Senior, forward, Bill Gersitz (Buffalo, NY/Kenmore East) closed out his terrific career by becoming the fifth player to reach the (1,000) career point mark, he finished with (1,028) points. He is also the second player ever to reach (1,000) points and (500) rebounds, he pulled down (522) caroms in his career. Another senior, Jacob Reisdorf (Strykersville, NY/Holland) earned the distinction of being the first Medaille student-athlete to reach an NCAA Tournament in more than one sport (soccer: ‘05, ‘06, ‘08/basketball: ‘09) he also played in two ECAC Tournaments (soccer: ‘07/basketball: ‘08). The Mavs will return a solid core of players in 2009-2010 and will look to defend their title and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
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