BALLSTON SPA — The Scotties’ 2012-13 season was one that raised the bar for the program, head coach John Lea said last February.
After starting last year 3-5, with four losses decided by five points or less, the Scotties jelled late and somewhat salvaged the season with a three-game win streak heading into sectionals, starting by beating eventual Section II Class A No. 2 seed Burnt Hills.
But finishing at 8-12 wasn’t truly indicative of the team’s growth, according to Lea, shortly after the team’s Section II Class AA loss at Christian Brothers Academy.
This season, the Scotties bring back seven seniors on the short roster, led by big man Andre Edgerton and point guard Jeremy Mendrick.
Mendrick, a 6-foot-1 offensive spark, averaged 12.5 points per game last season, while Edgerton averaged 11.8 points per contest.
“We’re going to be relying on [our seniors] to get us through here,” Lea said. “Of course Jeremy and Andre are going to be our leaders, hopefully in rebound and scoring, and really carrying a lot of weight. We have some seniors we’re going to lean on. They’re just really going to have to step up and get us over the hump.”
A big piece of this year’s puzzle will also be forward Cliff Stevens. Stevens played some in the beginning of last season, but sprained his ankle in practice before Ballston Spa was blown out in a 70-23 loss to Shenendehowa in early February, causing him to miss sectional play.
“We’re hoping Cliff Stevens comes through,” Lea said. “He really did some great things over the summer and we think he’s going to help us out a ton. He’s like our little secret weapon.”
Without Stevens at the bottom of the 2-3 zone to end last season, the Scotties held CBA to 21 first half points in the sectional matchup, before the Brothers found their stride in the second. Lea is hopeful for the bigs mix of Stevens (6-foot-4), Edgerton (6-foot-4), Josiah Dillon (6-foot-2) and Ryan Campion (6-foot-3) to be a presence down low.
“We could be a pretty good zone that you have to contend with, we just really have to focus on stopping people,” said Lea.
With the team missing their leading three-point shooter from last year in George Kernochann (31 three-point field goals), Andrew Gentile will be asked to step in and continue what he did at the end of last season.
In the Scotties three-game win streak to end the regular season, Gentile began to find his own stride, hitting seven threes.
“[Gentile]’s going to play the one and the two,” Lea said. “We’re hoping he’s going to have that sharp shooting eye and get some open looks for him. He’s really come a long way defensively. Offensively, I’m OK with him, but I think he’s been coming around. He’s been shooting very well and I’m hoping that continues. He really worked hard this summer and we think he’s going the help us out in scoring a tremendous amount.”
Also, look for sophomore Jack Fitzgerald to contribute along with the seniors, possibly as a starter.
“We’re not looking for [Fitzgerald] to give us 30 or 40 points a game, but we’re looking for him to, defensively, get the rebound and make the fundamental pass,” Lea said. “He does a lot of the small things right already. He’s going to have to grow up quickly. I’m very happy with him so far.”
The Scotties host Shenendehowa tonight at 7 p.m. in a Suburban Council North Division season opener. Despite being held to one field goal against Albany Academy on Tuesday, Plainsmen sophomore Kevin Huerter will be a player to look out for in that matchup.
Although the Scotties suffered the blowout loss to Shen last season, they also beat the Plainsmen on December 14 for the first time in eight years.
“We’re just trying to build a program, trying to get more than eight wins from last year and just trying to improve that, but it’s going to rely on a lot of hard work.”
