Date Posted:13:54:26 03/30/04 Tue Author: HC93 Subject: PL basketball team by team additions/subtractions
Since there were some questions below about a Colgate recruit (accompanied by a little chest thumping), I thought it might be interesting to look at the additions/subtractions around the PL for next year. Below is only what I've been able to find - please add any players I've missed or add comments about any players listed. I did not list Army and Navy, primarily because they do not announce recruits.
American
Loses: Rodriguez and Draughn (two big pieces)
Early signings:
Coley LeClair - 6-8, 230 lb. PF from Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, NH (originally from West Aurora, IL); Insiders gives 2 stars.
Comments: AU loses two huge pieces and will have to find a way to especially fill the void created by Rodriguez leaving. Had good frosh this year and may be a contender once the PL season begins if a PG can step up.
Lafayette
Loses: Davis, DeBerry, Dill, Farrell and Saunders
Early signings:
Paul Cummins - 6-3, 190 lb. SG from Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, NC (Irish); Insiders gives 2 stars; Former Irish national player. Once ranked the top Irish player in his class. Played for Kevin Billerman at Ravenscroft in 2003 before taking a prep year north.
Everest Schmidt - 6-7, 210 lb. PF/C from Hoopa Valley HS, CA; Insiders gives 2 stars; A wide body with soft hands, Schmidt is effective around the basket. Nice low to mid major prospect.
Comments: Laf will be taking the biggest step back, as it loses the most talented crop of seniors in the league. By the way, with regard to Schmidt, when was the last time you heard of someone 6-7, 210 referred to as a "widebody"? That's a rail where I come from.
Colgate
Loses: Blue, Linebaugh, Humphrey
Early signings:
Kyle Roemer - a 6-foot-3 shooting guard, plays at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., where last season he averaged 16.7 points and seven rebounds per game and shot 42 percent from the arc. He was named the Bay Valley Athletic League’s Most Valuable Player and was a third team all-Northern California selection.
Peter Minchella, a 6-foot-10, 220-pounder, plays at William Henry Harrison High School, where he was first team all-Hoosier Crossroads Conference last season, while averaging 10 points, seven rebounds and three blocks per game. He has been ranked the 11th best player in Indiana’s Class of 2004 by Hoosierland Report, and 16th by Indiana Basketball News. Minchella considered several scholarship offers and made an official visit to Stanford as a junior and visited Bowling Green officially earlier this fall.
Comments: Looks like they got two good recruits, but they can't possibly counter the graduation of Blue and Linebaugh.
Bucknell
Loses: Bennett, Namvou, Quinn, Skornik, Webber
Early signings:
John Griffin, a 6-2 point guard from St. Joseph's Preparatory High School in Philadelphia. Entering his senior campaign at St. Joseph's Prep, Griffin has already earned three varsity letters in basketball and one in baseball. Last season he was a First Team All-Catholic League selection while leading the Hawks to a 30-2 record and a league title. Griffin, who plays for coach William "Speedy" Morris, has been elected team co-captain this season. He was also a second-team all-league pick as a sophomore, when St. Joseph's won a division championship, and he led all Philadelphia players with a free throw percentage of .850. "John comes from a great program in Philadelphia, where the basketball is extremely competitive," said Coach Flannery. "He has outstanding court awareness and toughness, and he has a solid basketball background. He will be fun to coach because he knows the game and has the athletic ability to play right away."
Darren Mastropaolo, a 6-8 forward/center from Falmouth (Maine) High School. One of the top prep players in the state of Maine, where his Falmouth team is expected to contend for a Class B title. He is an All-Western Maine Conference selection and a member of the Maine Select team that played in the AAU national tournament in Orlando, Fla. An outstanding athlete, Mastropaolo also competes for the Falmouth tennis and golf teams. "Darren was the post player we wanted from the beginning of the recruiting period," said Flannery. "He has strong post moves and decent perimeter range. Darren is a real competitor who showed this summer how bright his future will be with the Orange and Blue."
Comments: Okay, Bucknell scares me the most. Appears they have two solid recruits thus far, and while they lost five seniors, those five were not huge contributors (the 5 combined for 10.2 points pg and none averaged more than 12 minutes pg). In my opinion, Bucknell will be the preseason favorite to win the league.
Lehigh
Loses: Callahan, Rowland, Tiah
Early signings: ?
Comments: Tough to comment on the recruits. Rowland is obviously a huge loss.
Holy Cross
Loses: Meade
Early signings: Doherty and Clifford (questions re: Maley and Oates)
Comments: Yes, Jave is going to be sorely missed, but I feel pretty comfortable about Thomas' ability to step right in for him. Having everyone else back is a huge plus. I think we might need Clifford to contribute right away, but not sure about Doherty. The addition of Maley and/or Oates would make this a very good class. Either way, I think HC should be Bucknell's main competition.
Bucknell has also signed, I believe, Rob Thomas, playing for Mendham in NJ. Fansonly database has him as a "Super Prospect". Flannery is definitely getting it done on his end.
Bucknell does have a verbal commitment from Rob Thomas of Mendham, cannot sign 'till next month. However, this is not the same player you found on the database. Mendham's Thomas is a 6'3" very athletic player who played forward in high school. Looks to be similar to Charles Lee in both that respect and the skills he possesses and will need to develop to be effective in college game. A good signing for the Bison, but presumably not a "Super Prospect" in the Fansonly database.
even losing rowland and no known signees ,don't count out lehigh-their returnees played a lot better than hc's returnees--frosh olivero and neptune played well in the pl tourney -i agree that bucknell should be pre-season 1st--don't expect maley to play
army-landon adler-6-8-indiana
lance dietz-ill-6
ryan hodgson-6-2--long island--i've seen him a lot--a solid ,strong combo guard-a smaller version of his brother,rob,who starred for rutgers a few years ago-can handle ,defend,pass and shoot--not that quick-a tireless worker
Lehigh has added 3 recruits for next year.
1. Erik Smith-- PG from Va. Solid player, ball handler/distributor, can score a little (probably a similair type game to Meade from HC... though of course no where near as developed yet).
2. A 6'6" forward from Florida (don't remember name), who is supposedly long and athletic (shotblocker/rebounder)
3. Joe Knight-- 6'1", G a transfer from High Point University (Big South Conference)- who was conference Rookie of Year in '01, and 2nd Team or 1st team (don't remember which) all conference in '02 (averaged about 18ppg) * he will have the most impact of any newcomer in the leage next year.
Lehigh will probably be the favorite next year with Bucknell, Holy Cross, and American #'s 2-4.
