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2009-10 Outlook
“Moving Forward”
In most cases when it comes to athletics, it doesn't benefit anyone or any team when you look back at the past. Whether the results were good or bad, a new season demands its own respect and attention from coaches and players. In relation to the Geneva College men’s basketball season from a year ago, it would be best to put its 8-17 record in the past and move forward into a new season.
Head coach Jeff Santarsiero is not accustomed to his teams limping to the finish line like was the case a year ago. Santarsiero has compiled 212 wins for the Golden Tornadoes in 14 years at the helm and will demand better results in 2009-10. “We simply need to put last year behind us,” explains Santarsiero. “We had many young guys gain valuable college experience along the way and we hope those same guys will help us gain better results this year.”
Santarsiero and the Golden Tornadoes will need to fill the void left by the graduation of starting point guard Justin Nardi. But outside of Nardi, the cupboard is far from empty. Geneva will welcome back 11 lettermen and five previous starters for the upcoming year. Brian Hill, who only appeared in seven games last year, returns healthy after missing the majority of the season with an ankle injury. Leading the returning class from a year ago is leading scorer and rebounder Rich Colick. Colick posted 16 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. He had much offensive help in the names of Dave Phillips (13.6 pt/gm), Brandon Harvey (10.5 pts/gm) and Lambros Svingos (8.7 pts/gm).
While the offensive numbers are impressive for the handful of starters returning this year, Santarsiero wants to speak only about these same guys buying into his defensive principles that will keep the opponents from out scoring a powerful offensive unit. “We have to stop people,” says Santarsiero. “Our defense last year was unacceptable and we have made a concerted effort to improve on that end of the floor and I truly believe our guys will be better prepared to get key stops throughout the season.” Geneva allowed opponents to score over 81 points per game and shoot close to 49% from the field. Those numbers will have to drastically improve if the Golden Tornadoes hope to turn the corner in the win column.
In addition to the five returning starters, Geneva will also welcome back six players with significant playing experience back to the mix. Included in that group are seniors Matt Blocki and Nate Reep, who comprise half of the 2010 senior class along with Conlan Walsh and Brandon Harvey. While Harvey started 14 games and posted over 11 points per game, Blocki and Reep came off the bench a year ago to combine for nearly 20 minutes of playing time per game.
“We were forced to rely on some young guys last year,” says Santarsiero. “We are fortunate this year in the fact that most of our key contributors will have had college experience. We have a couple newcomers that may surprise us, but for the most part it will be a veteran group.”
A few of those young surprises that the coach speaks of could include transfer TJ Bevilacqua, a sophomore from Illinois Tech, or freshmen Matt Lorello and Caleb Foust. “We have some special young talent, but the challenge will be finding minutes for everyone on a consistent basis.”
The Golden Tornadoes have never shied away from playing top caliber competition and the upcoming season is no different. For the second time in three years, Geneva will go head to head against an NCAA Division I opponent. After playing Cleveland State two years ago, the Golden Tornadoes will test their fate against former head coach Jerry Slocum and Youngstown State the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. “Not that the PAC schedule isn't touch enough,” explains Santarsiero. “But when you have a chance to play a Division I school, you almost have to give your kids that opportunity. We are excited for our season because we understand how difficult it will be in and out of the PAC.”
Not since 1988, the first year under Coach Slocum, will the Golden Tornadoes be looking to rebound from a season that saw less than ten victories the year before. Geneva College and the Golden Tornadoes have always been regarded as a successful program across the region and the coaches and players are determined to regain that respect this season. “Nobody is going to hand us anything,” says Santarsiero. “We just have to work harder on both ends of the floor and the results will follow. This program has been a proud staple of Geneva College for a long time and our guys understand the importance of moving forward and making last year a distant memory.”
The 2009-10 season will be the 117th season of Geneva College basketball. As special as the tradition of Golden Tornadoes basketball has become, the success of the new year will depend on how quickly this group can move forward into a new chapter of Geneva basketball.