Hawks Looking Forward to 2005-06 Campaign
The 2005-06 season has the potential to be a breakthrough season for head coach Paul Culpo.
Hartwick will return 10-of-13 players from the 2004-05 squad that finished with a 2-23 record (0-14 Empire 8). The Hawks improved on both ends of the court and received the majority of their minutes from a group of seven freshmen and junior transfer Tim Kindlon.
Freshman swingman Greg Betancourt led the squad in scoring with 9.7 points per game. He scored a season-high 39 points in a 75-72 loss to Utica College on February 22. Betancourt made 15-of-24 field goals, 6-of-7 free throws and 3-of-9 from three-point range against the Pioneers.
Betancourt started in 13-of-25 games and figures to have an expanded role as a sophomore. He connected on 29-of-86 three-point field goals and converted 42-of-55 free throw attempts.
Kindlon ranked second on the team in scoring with 8.8 points per game and provided the squad with another threat from the perimeter. He started in 24-of-25 games and made a team-high 51 three-point field goals. Kindlon, who transferred to Hartwick after playing two seasons at Hudson Valley Community College, averaged 29.8 minutes per game and registered 26 steals.
Culpo will return a talented group of forwards in freshmen Josh Mackenzie, Eddie McAdoo, Sterling Green and James Watkins. Mackenzie, a versatile 6-4 player who can shoot from the outside, averaged 7.5 points and made 22-of-75 attempts from three-point range. McAdoo contributed 7.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, and Green averaged 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest. Watkins played in 15 games and provided the team with strong defensive play.
Freshman point guard Matt Simoneschi and freshman guard/forward Chris Ward played key roles for the Hawks. Simoneschi averaged 21.4 minutes per game and led the squad in assists (69), while Ward played in 20 games and scored a season-high 12 points against Vassar College.
Juniors John Montana and John Spellman will give the squad experience and depth next season. Montana averaged 9.0 minutes per game and Spellman played 9.5 minutes per contest.
Senior forwards Mike Wawrzonek (4.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg), Mike Leighton (1.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and Bill Lanchantin (2.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg) will be lost to graduation. Wawrzonek started in 19-of-24 games and made 19-of-67 three-point field goals. Leighton and Lanchantin played though injuries and gave the team strong minutes off the bench.
Team manager Win Siegfried will also be lost to graduation.
