By Matt Youngfrau
FALLSBURG — April 9, 2002 – An old expression states that “whatever doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.”
That expression could be applied to the 2001-2002 Fallsburg basketball team.
“We lost eight guys during the year,” said Fallsburg Coach Paul Marsden. “We had to regroup every time we lost a player. They did well.”
The team ended up with an overall record of 16-6. In Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA) Division IV, the Comets finished in second place with a record of 5-3.
The team was led by junior guard Jon Hinton and junior forward Brandon McKenny. Hinton averaged 15 points per game and McKenny pulled down an average of 13 rebounds per contest.
Other players that stepped up included freshman Randy Mack and junior Lionel White.
“We’re in good shape for next year,” remarked Marsden. “We should do well. Three of our lost players were academically ineligible. I hope to get two of those players back (next season).”
However, the Comets will lose two seniors – forward Tito Flores and forward Brooks Whitaker. Marsden brought up three junior varsity players during this past season and will continue to utilize them next year. Also, three of the starters will be back next year.
“The league will be reorganized next year,” Marsden said. “We will have Liberty in our division. The kids that are returning will be hungry.”
Team awards were handed out recently. The Rollie Allen Award for Sportsmanship was given to Flores. The Most Improved Player of the Year was given to Whitaker. And the Most Valuable Player award was presented to White (whom Marsden referred to as “the heart of the team.”)
“We did well and had a good team,” Marsden said. “We had a lot of depth. The kids played well and they never gave up. I contribute that to their character.####”