By Frank Rizzo
April 3, 2001:
Season Record:
11–9 overall, 5–7 OCIAA Division IV
Starting Lineup:
Guard – James Paul
Guard – Josh Lowitz
Center – Durk Pearston
Forward – Bill Gorman
Forward – Kyle Humphrey
Season Highlights:
“Beating Florida [55-49 on February 7] at home,” said second-year coach Jason Semo. “It broke a 0-6 run in the division and we made a statement by beating the [eventual] division champs… our record didn’t indicate how good we were.”
He added: “Also, beating Pine Plains in the playoffs — that was the first sectional win by this group. The main thing was how hard these guys worked, and never let down.
Biggest Disappointment:
Nothing, according to Semo.
“It was a year filled with pride for me. I hope to get as much from future teams as I got out of this one,” said Semo.
MVP/Most Improved:
The players voted James Paul a the team’s MVP. “James was a leader on the court. He sat maybe five minutes the entire year and took an [offensive] charge [from an opposing player] in almost every game,” according to Semo.
Most Valuable Offensive Player: Lowitz, “who picked up the slack. He improved a great deal and had a good work ethic,” said Semo.
Most Valuable Defensive Player: Pearston. “He made the big transition from football to basketball,” Semo said of his pivot, a force around the paint. “He had to pick up the slack on the boards.”
Most Improved: Gorman. “He surpassed every goal and expectation. He stepped up when least expected,” said Semo.
Statistical Leaders:
Lowitz paced the Bears with 15 ppg, and his season-high of 32 against Chester. Pearston scored 11 ppg and snared 12 boards/game. His 22 rebounds against Rhinebeck were a school record. Humphrey averaged 11 ppg and tied a school record when he sank seven three-pointers against Fallsburg. He scored 59 in all from downtown.
Last Thoughts:
“I want to thank my [non-starting] seniors — Alex Felder, Zach Serrano, Gary Buley, and Darren Rowen — for contributing a lot off the bench and for their leadership in practices,” said Semo.