2007-2008 Season in Review

 The 2007-2008 season was an exciting look into the future for the Men’s Basketball program. This year’s edition of the Soaring Eagles relied heavily on its youth. With only three players in their third or fourth year the Soaring Eagles lacked experience but made up for it by playing a high paced exciting game.

Providing upperclassmen leadership for the Purple and Gold was Co-Captain Nick Molak ’08 (Barrington, RI -- Barrington). Molak would add valuable court presence to this year’s offense and defense while averaging 3.2 points from the shooting and an impressive 46% from behind the arc.

Behind Molak was fourth year player Shannon Harmon ’08 (Bolivar, NY -- Bolivar-Richburg) and third year player Chris O’Brien ’09 (Oneonta, NY -- Oneonta).O’Brien would shine at the defensive end as he would often be called upon to make crucial stops in almost every game for the Soaring Eagles.

The Soaring Eagles Class of 2010 would shine this year and would play with the poise of players far beyond their time. At the head of the pack was David Nelson ’10 (Bainbridge, NY -- Bainbridge-Guilford).Nelson would have a break out year as we would lead the team in scoring averaging almost 10 points per game, free throw percentage and would be second in three pointers made with 36. His best performance of the season would come against Ithaca College where he would lead the team in scoring with a career high 30 points.

Behind Nelson were co- captains Palen Andreozzi ’10 (Albany, NY -- Christian Brothers Academy),Bryan Mathews ’10 (Horseheads, NY -- Horseheads) and Nick Woitach ’10 (Vestal, NY -- Vestal Senior). This talented group of returnees added valuable leadership and poise throughout the season.

Andreozzi would add a valuable presence in the post and would average 7 points per game and would help lead the team in rebounds (83) and block shots (20). Mathews would see valuable time at the point this year for the Soaring Eagles as he would play in each game averaging just over 17 minutes per game and would lead the team in assists with 44.

Rounding out the Class of 2010 were Chris Henderson ’10 (W. Bridgewater, MA - Coyle Cassidy) and Jon Adamson ’10 (Herkimer, NY -- Herkimer).Henderson’s skill at the defensive end of the court would be crucial to the team’s success. In that role Henderson pulled down 52 defensive boards and picked up another 15 steals.

At forward Adamson would start in all but two of the Soaring Eagles games this season. He averaged just over 6 points per game and led the team in rebounding pulling down 31 offensive and 57 defensive boards.

First year standouts Bobby DiPiazza ’11 (Ridgewood, NJ - Bergen Catholic),Noah Zazulia ’11 (Palm City, FL -- Jensen Beach) and Evan Taylor ’11 (Naples, FL -- Lely) were thrown right into the mix and handled the transition to the College game very well. This talented threesome of newcomers saw a significant amount of playing time throughout the season.

At guard DiPiazza entered the game off the bench and added a valuable shooting presence from beyond the arc. Averaging 7 points a game in his inaugural season DiPiazza also led the team in steals with 25.

Capturing Empire 8 Rookie of the Week honors this season were Zazulia and Taylor. Taylor who captured the honor four times in his first year with the Soaring Eagles added 9 points a game this year while averaging just over 40% from the field and sinking a team high 48 three pointers. Zazulia would be honored by the Empire 8 twice for his accomplishments and would average 20 minutes a game while starting in all but two of the teams 25 games.

Also making valuable contributions in their first season with the Purple and Gold were Peter Lokai ’11 (Manlius, NY -- Cazenovia) and TJ Woitach ’11 (Vestal, NY -- Vestal Senior). Both saw time in almost every game for the Soaring Eagles in their inaugural season and will be looked upon to make a valuable impact as they continue their career at Elmira.

The Soaring Eagles lost Molak and Harmon to Graduation.